C19 Radar

Question 1

Radar is actually a shorter way of saying Radio Detection and Ranging! The whole purpose was to be able to transmit radio waves from a rotating antenna / radar head and then detecting return signals

Answer 1

Cool!

Question 2

What is procedural separation?

Answer 2

Using position and altitude reports to keep aircraft in the air separated. This was common before the invention of radar.

Question 3

What kind of radar is used to cover En route Surveillance?

1. Terminal Area Surveillance Radar
2. Aerodrome Surveillance Approach Radar
3. En Route surveillance Radar

Answer 3

3. En route surveillance radar, can cover between 200-300nm and mostly covers airways

Question 4

What is the range of the Terminal Area Surveillance Radar?

Answer 4

Up to 75nm and controls traffic in terminal areas

Question 5

What is the range of Aerodrome Surveillance Approach Radars?

Answer 5

Up to 25nm, they provide approach and radar vectoring for ILS

Question 6

What is the trick to determine your vertical speed in order to maintain a descent angle of 3 degrees?

Answer 6

Groundspeed x 10 / 2

Question 7

If your groundspeed is 100knts, what is your vertical speed to descend at an angle of 3 degrees?

Answer 7

100 / 2 x 10 = 500 ft / min

Question 8

What frequencies do Radar use?

Answer 8

Radar frequencies are VHF and higher. The higher the frequency, the smaller the object can be detected on radar.

Question 9

What is the range equation for a radar?

Answer 9

1.25 x (sqrt(h1)+sqrt(h2))

H1 = Height of radar beacon AMSL

H2 = Altitude of aircraft AMSL

Question 10

What are 3 disadvantages of Primary surveillance radar systems?

Answer 10

1. Requires lots of power
2. Vulnerable to weakened signals caused by precipitation
3. High ground or precipitation may appear as ‘clutter’ on the radar screen if the radar is very powerful

Question 11

How do we overcome the challenges of primary surveillance radar systems?

Answer 11

We invented Secondary Surveillance Radar Systems :)

Question 12

Where and up to what altitude is Lower Airspace Radar Service (LARS) available in the UK?

Answer 12

LARS is available outside of controlled airspace until FL095

Question 13

Is the pilot responsible for maintaining terrain and lookout for other aircraft even when receiving a LARS?

Answer 13

Yes

Question 14

What is a Deconfliction Service?

Answer 14

A service where the ATSU gives info about other traffic and can provide headings or altitude changes to stay clear of them.

Available for both IFR and VFR flights, but VFR flights MUST be in VMC

Question 15

What is a Traffic service?

Answer 15

The ATSU will provide information on other traffic to pilots, but will not give them headings or altitudes to stay clear of them.

Both VFR and IFR flights can receive this service, regardless if VMC or IMC conditions prevail