Radar

A question about something that I guess I just didn't get enough info on
during my instrument training. What exactly are you looking for when
looking at a radar image. Are you trying to avoid all returns? Is an
area of just green ok? Any other things in particular to look for?

Matt Young ) wrote:

A question about something that I guess I just didn't get enough info on
during my instrument training. What exactly are you looking for when
looking at a radar image. Are you trying to avoid all returns? Is an
area of just green ok? Any other things in particular to look for?

Don't rely on color, as different vendors of radar data might color code
the returns differently. Instead, you ought to rely on the intensity
level, which is represented by the different colors on a color radar
product. Refer to the radar key to know what color each intensity
level is.

Rod Machado wrote a pretty good AOPA Pilot article about this very thing
about a year and a half ago. He discussed the relationship between
intensity level and the probability of severe to destructive turbulence.

As there is a small probability of destructive turbulence in level three
returns, with this probability significantly increasing in each of the
higher levels, Machado stated that one should avoid level three and
higher to avoid the probability of destructive turbulence.

--
Peter

Where did you come up with this? All airborn weather radar systems have
the same color vs. intensity scale. For example red is always 40dbz.

Mike
MU-2


"Peter R." wrote in message
...
Matt Young ) wrote:

A question about something that I guess I just didn't get enough info on
during my instrument training. What exactly are you looking for when
looking at a radar image. Are you trying to avoid all returns? Is an
area of just green ok? Any other things in particular to look for?

Don't rely on color, as different vendors of radar data might color code
the returns differently. Instead, you ought to rely on the intensity
level, which is represented by the different colors on a color radar
product. Refer to the radar key to know what color each intensity
level is.

Rod Machado wrote a pretty good AOPA Pilot article about this very thing
about a year and a half ago. He discussed the relationship between
intensity level and the probability of severe to destructive turbulence.

As there is a small probability of destructive turbulence in level three
returns, with this probability significantly increasing in each of the
higher levels, Machado stated that one should avoid level three and
higher to avoid the probability of destructive turbulence.

--
Peter

Mike Rapoport ) wrote:

Where did you come up with this? All airborn weather radar systems have
the same color vs. intensity scale. For example red is always 40dbz.

Mike, I interpreted his post as referring to ground-based radar
products. I guess I made a leap of assumption that since the OP was
newly instrument rated, he was referring to pre-flight, not in-flight
radar interpretation.

But perhaps he is flying behind in-flight radar system? It would be
helpful if he posted a follow-up.

Oh, and BTW, I obviously know nothing about active radar in the cockpit.
I have WSI's downlinked Nexrad in the Bonanza, but even within this
product line WSI uses slightly different colors to represent different
intensities depending on the display (MX20 versus laptop screen, etc).


--
Peter

Fair enough! I assumed that he was talking about airborn radar. It is
interesting how personal experience colors our interpretation of the same
statement!

Mike
MU-2

"Peter R." wrote in message
...
Mike Rapoport ) wrote:

Where did you come up with this? All airborn weather radar systems have
the same color vs. intensity scale. For example red is always 40dbz.

Mike, I interpreted his post as referring to ground-based radar
products. I guess I made a leap of assumption that since the OP was
newly instrument rated, he was referring to pre-flight, not in-flight
radar interpretation.

But perhaps he is flying behind in-flight radar system? It would be
helpful if he posted a follow-up.

Oh, and BTW, I obviously know nothing about active radar in the cockpit.
I have WSI's downlinked Nexrad in the Bonanza, but even within this
product line WSI uses slightly different colors to represent different
intensities depending on the display (MX20 versus laptop screen, etc).


--
Peter

Mike Rapoport wrote:

Fair enough!

I've always thought that was an Australian expression (personal
experience colours our etc . Made me do a double take.

--
Nick

Mike Rapoport ) wrote:

Fair enough! I assumed that he was talking about airborn radar. It is
interesting how personal experience colors our interpretation of the same
statement!

Someday I hope to be able to interpret as you do.

--
Peter

I was referring to ground based radar, things I can look at before
leaving. No radar in my skyhawk.

Peter R. wrote:
Mike Rapoport ) wrote:


Where did you come up with this? All airborn weather radar systems have
the same color vs. intensity scale. For example red is always 40dbz.


Mike, I interpreted his post as referring to ground-based radar
products. I guess I made a leap of assumption that since the OP was
newly instrument rated, he was referring to pre-flight, not in-flight
radar interpretation.

But perhaps he is flying behind in-flight radar system? It would be
helpful if he posted a follow-up.

Oh, and BTW, I obviously know nothing about active radar in the cockpit.
I have WSI's downlinked Nexrad in the Bonanza, but even within this
product line WSI uses slightly different colors to represent different
intensities depending on the display (MX20 versus laptop screen, etc).

Matt Young wrote in news:0i0fd.6540$KJ6.2254
@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net:

I was referring to ground based radar, things I can look at before
leaving. No radar in my skyhawk.

I have to say it's hit or miss. I've flown through areas that ground radar
had painted yellow and some red, and never saw a drop of rain, not any
turbulence. I've also seen some heavy rain that hadn't been on the TV
earlier. I've seen heavy precip shown over the place where I was sitting, on
the ground, and not a drop of rain had fallen all day. Look at radar
presentations with a jaundiced eye, and take them with a lot of salt, to mix
some metaphors. Read pireps, and ask the FSS briefer what has been going on.

--
Regards,

Stan

I think that Capt Dave Gwinn, the airborne radar guru, has a web site. I
don't know the URL, but I'll bet you could google it up.

Bob Gardner

"Matt Young" wrote in message
ink.net...
A question about something that I guess I just didn't get enough info on
during my instrument training. What exactly are you looking for when
looking at a radar image. Are you trying to avoid all returns? Is an area
of just green ok? Any other things in particular to look for?