WEATHER RADAR

Question 1

What are the advantages & disadvantages of AWRs at higher frequencies?

Answer 1

Advantages:

• Improved reflectivity
• Better detection
• Better resolution

Disadvantage: Increased attenuation

• Range attenuation
• Precipitation attenuation

Question 2

What is the normal altitude range & temperature of the icing level?

Answer 2

15000 - 23000ft with a temperature betwwen 0 and -15 deg C

Question 3

What is considered to be a good radar target?

Answer 3

Surface to 15000 ft section gets all the moisture in a liquid state, it is a good radar target.

Question 4

Tilting up when scanning a cell, the return will weaken as the water becomes

Answer 4

Ice and less reflective

Question 5

Does the threat diminish above the -15 deg level?

Answer 5

No

Question 6

What is overscanning?

Answer 6

Directing the beam too high

Question 7

Which sections of a storm should one aim at to find the best return?

Answer 7

Bottom two sections

Question 8

Which one is right in the following sentence ?

The closer to a storm, the LESS/MORE the attenuation

Answer 8

Less

Question 9

What effect does rain have on precipitation attenuation?

Answer 9

Rain prevents depth detection and secondary target detection

Question 10

Azimuth resolution, when is it not possible for the WX radar to distinguish between two targets?

Answer 10

When both targets are at the same range and less than a beam width away in azimuth they will appear as a solid band of weather across track. As the cell get closer they will split into 2 separate returns.

Question 11

Range resolution, how long are the pulses at high & low display range?

Answer 11

• High range: 1.5NM
• Low range: 1NM
  It means that 2 targets separated by less than these distances will be detected as 1 single return.

Question 12

Is continuous use of manual gain recommended?

Answer 12

No, since the radar colour presentation is not calibrated in manual gain.

Question 13

Which of the display level colours is not affected by the position of the gain control?

Answer 13

Magenta

Question 14

When WX/TURB is selected, magenta indicates MOD to SEVERE turbulence within _____

Answer 14

40 NMs

Question 15

Which radar return shapes may indicate severe turbulence and hail?

Answer 15

Fingers, hooks, scalloped edges, horseshoe and fig 6 shapes

Question 16

What is the main difference between Ground and Weather return if the tilt is adjusted upwards?

Answer 16

WX returns will initially remain unchanged unlike other returns

Question 17

Which of the following, cast radar shadows: cities, thunderstorms, mountains

Answer 17

Thunderstorms & mountains

Question 18

What does the WX radar use to detect windshear or microburst?

Answer 18

Doppler frequency shift (raindrops moving towards the radar at one range and away at a slightly different range)

Question 19

Can CAT be detected?

Answer 19

No, due to lack of reflective precipitation

Question 20

When is turbulence mode recommended?

Answer 20

Assessing or avoiding convective wx

Question 21

When assessing wx, what should be done to avoid being boxed in?

Answer 21

Select longer ranges

Question 22

Which side of a thunderstorm is turbulence usually more intense?

Answer 22

Downwind

Question 23

A thunderstorm usually moves in the direction of _________

Answer 23

The mean wind between 5000 and 30000 ft

Question 24

What should be kept in mind when dimming lights in the flight deck at night?

Answer 24

Temporary blindness from lightning flashes

Question 25

When do you need to establish a protection zone?

Answer 25

In IMC or at night: - On departure when passing 20000 ft - In Cruise after a significant heading change

Question 26

In IMC or at night, the range/tilt displayed should initially be ___/____

Answer 26

40 NMs / -10 deg

Question 27

The radar scans side to side in ________

Answer 27

4 seconds

Question 28

When should the range be set to 80 NMs?

Answer 28

When the ground stripe is at the outer edge of 40 NMs

Question 29

The screen should never be just ______

Answer 29

Black

Question 30

Take avoidance action before the target is inside the ______ range

Answer 30

40 NM

Question 31

A storm should be avoided by at least ______ while two storms should be separated by _____to fly between them

Answer 31

20 NMS. 40 NMs

Question 32

Thunderstorms can be avoided vertically.

Answer 32

No

Question 33

If within 40 NMs, all cells should be avoided by ______

Answer 33

20 NMs

Question 34

If downwind of a storm, what is the rule of thumb to calculate the range of turbulence

Answer 34

1 NM for each 1 Kt of wind at current FL

Question 35

In IMC or at night, at least one ND should have a range displayed of _____

Answer 35

80 NMs max 160 Nms

Question 36

Tilt setting for T/O

Answer 36

+4 Deg

Question 37

The tilt setting from initial climb to 20000 ft should be _______

Answer 37

+2 to +3 deg

Question 38

If a course change of _____is made, the protection zone should be re-established

Answer 38

45 deg

Question 39

Why is it advisable to keep the ground returns at 80 Nms?

Answer 39

To point the beam into the reflective part of the cloud

Question 40

During descent tilt may be increased below_______

Answer 40

15000 ft

Question 41

In the final stages of the approach, tilt range should be ______

Answer 41

+2 to +4 deg

Question 42

Which common error results in damage or injury?

Answer 42

Overscanning

Question 43

What type of conditions offer the best reflectivity and weather echo return?

Answer 43

Ground Clutter, Wet Hail, Rain, Wet Snow, Dry Hail, Dry Snow, Drizzle

Question 44

What is the definition of tilt?

Answer 44

Tilt is the angle betwwen the antenna and the horizon. | It is independent from aircraft pitch and bank angle.

Question 45

What are the 3 sections of a Storm cell?

Answer 45

Upper level: moisture in dry frozen state Icing level: can be the most reflective area Lower level: moisture in a liquid state

Question 46

How do you establish a protection zone?

Answer 46

Start with the Range at 40NM, tilt down at least -10 Tilt up slowly to bring the stripe at the outer edge Select Range 80NM and tilt up slowly Leave the tilt with the return at the outer edge