GDL-49 and Levels of Radar Returns

Tim,

Chapter 1, section 1 of the AIM would seem to be most appropriate for
this question, and I have found no references to radar echoes. If you
have a pointer to the information that you think answers my question,
that would be helpful.

Please forgive my ignorance, but I do not know the acronym "IHB."
Please expand.

I have also tried Circular AC-00-6A, and did not find it.

I would also note that note of these sources is likley to answer the
questions of color mapping on a GDL-49/Garmin 430.

-Sami

wrote:


"O. Sami Saydjari" wrote:


As I was coming into Grand Rapids (KGRR) yesterday, the controller
announced that there was a "level 5" return (or perhaps she said "cell")
on final to runway 8, so I was vectored to 35 where there were mostly
"just level 4" stuff. So, forgive my ignorance, but where are these
levels defined? I assume they have to do with what sort of radar return
they get off a cloud and therefore has to do with rain intensity. Does
a level 5 return imply that a thunderstorm is likely to be generating it?

Also, I have a GDL-49 Satellite Data Link Transceiver linked to my
Garmin 430 display. I understand (and now have seen) that these things
just are not adequate to locate big cells. Rather, they show large
areas of showers. Are these based on satellite imagery, or from
aggregated ground station data or what?

Also, how to the radar levels (1 thru 6?) relate to the colors shown on
a GDL-49 display on a Garmin 430? Does red equal level 5 or level 6? I
think only have red, yellow and green...so it seems there are not
enough colors to show 6 levels.

-Sami, N2057M, Piper Turbo Arrow III


You might try checking the AIM, for starters. Then, perhaps, the IHB.