LBA Radar
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere in England
LBA Radar
I've noticed recently the Approach controllers advising pilots of poor radar performance in certain areas. Is this a new issue or an ongoing one ? I know LBA has a lot of high ground to the north and west of the airport and doesn't have the benefit of its own SSR head. Could these factors be significant ??
Thankyou.
Thankyou.
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: Manchester, UK
The Great Unwashed,
I fly from Leeds.
I've never noticed! Who's head do they use?
POL
I fly from Leeds.
I know LBA has a lot of high ground to the north and west of the airport and doesn't have the benefit of its own SSR head.
POL
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,424
Likes: 29
From: LEEDS
Hmm,
That might cause a few coverage issues for one or two other airports. I may be wrong but I believe Humberside and East Midlands also use(d) SSR from Claxby. Presumably there is some sort of redundancy plan to provide for these situations.
That might cause a few coverage issues for one or two other airports. I may be wrong but I believe Humberside and East Midlands also use(d) SSR from Claxby. Presumably there is some sort of redundancy plan to provide for these situations.
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Yorkshire
LBA are currently using Great Dun Fell due to Claxby been u/s.
Since this has to 'look' over the Pennines it means LBA has poor SSR returns, or none at all for aicraft who are low level, and loose SSR returns on the commercial traffic when they are descending on the ILS.
Since this has to 'look' over the Pennines it means LBA has poor SSR returns, or none at all for aicraft who are low level, and loose SSR returns on the commercial traffic when they are descending on the ILS.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere in England
Oh dear,
So first LBA loses Claxby and now it appears the back up unit isn't all that good. Gawd knows what LBA must pay NATS for piping in their SSR data in the first place. Perhaps LBA would be better off in the long run with their own SSR head, providing a place can be found on the airfield to site it.
So first LBA loses Claxby and now it appears the back up unit isn't all that good. Gawd knows what LBA must pay NATS for piping in their SSR data in the first place. Perhaps LBA would be better off in the long run with their own SSR head, providing a place can be found on the airfield to site it.
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: Manchester, UK
Good Grief! I've just checked the location of Great Dun Fell on multimap.
It explains why Leeds Approach asked me if I was the primary contact 4 miles SE of Emley Moor TV mast, when they had given me a SSR squark.
POL
It explains why Leeds Approach asked me if I was the primary contact 4 miles SE of Emley Moor TV mast, when they had given me a SSR squark.
POL
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,424
Likes: 29
From: LEEDS
It's beginning to look as though 'borrowing' SSR data from a remote site has its limitations for Approach Radar. Presumably these shortcomings are overcome by an airport having its own SSR head. Speaking of which, I'm surprised East Mids hasn't got its own yet. I know you folks have a Marconi primary. Come on MAG plc, put your hand in your pocket. Lucky Newcastle, I say. Their own SSR head and ground radar too. Can't be bad !
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 580
Likes: 0
From: Out on the bike in Northumberland
to be honest having an SSR head on the airfield would be like icing on the cake!-coverage from Clee is pretty good and the times we are without any feed at all very rare-we also have the option of cottesmore primary as backup-so should never be without some form of radar cover(fingers crossed!)
should have smr at some point in not too distant future-still undergoing testing on site at the moment
should have smr at some point in not too distant future-still undergoing testing on site at the moment
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
From: UK
Mooncrest - yeah it just a shame about their pay/conditions/lack of CAS/management....need I go on?
a.pro - believe it when i see it approved and working!
SSR is over rated anyway, look at all the fun Coventry have without it...
a.pro - believe it when i see it approved and working!
SSR is over rated anyway, look at all the fun Coventry have without it...
