Originally Posted by
mustafagander
There was a flight about 20+ years ago which I operated LAX-SYD with 1 of 2 Wx Rad MEL inop. Nurries, we have another.
This night there was a TC forecast around the Lat of NAN and we were flying more or less alone with no other a/c within a few hundred miles. It was also the night of the new moon. Yep, the other Wx Rad failed. After appropriate CRM and advice from our ops people we returned to LAX. Not worth the risk. After 9 hours we deposited the punters at the gate beside which we departed so they achieved about 100 metres for their time. The problem turned out to be the mounting post of the antenna - one of the only two common components in the system.
You just don't take a big jet into an area of forecast bad weather at night without Wx Rad. Think carefully in daylight too.
I hereby nominate you for 2 DFCs and 3 Air Medals. Where is NAN?