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Old 17th Mar 2017, 10:40
  #141 (permalink)  
Fareastdriver
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: UK
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I am reminded by a CFIT in China in the late 90s. This was flying towards the coast, VFR, in a low cloudbase and flew into the steeply rising coastline. The radar was on and from the CVR the crew, being aware of the coastline, had commenced to backtrack towards the sea. From the wreckage the radar was assessed as being on and the tilt was selected at least 5 degrees up.

Flying with the radar tilted is common to avoid ground returns that interfere with returns from cloud formations especially over land. The upwards tilt will mask obstacles directly in front at and below the same height. For example, using the 1/60 rule 1 degree tilt up will hide a 1 foot obstacle 60ft in front; a 100ft obstacle 6,000ft in front. 5 degrees nose up will mask the same obstacle at 1,200ft or under a 1/4 mile. Most radars, when selected to 5 miles or greater, will not define at a 1/4 mile as it will be lost in scanner base scatter. It means that you can fly at a 300ft cliff at 200ft and not be aware of it.

After this event in China we kept the radar at horizontal or lower when operating VFR or at low level. However we still had it cranked up for high level transits to avoid ground returns especially across hilly terrain.

I am not familiar with the S92’s radar or the actions required with it in different procedures but it’s a thought.
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