Gatwick Radar usage

[squawkident.]

Hello,

Am a 320 pilot at EGKK and for months now its been nagging at me the significance of the radar installation situated south of the airfield via the CAA HQ.

Specifically I was wondering the operational significance of this radar as it seems sometimes its on and more often it seems it isnt.
Obviously there are sound operational reasons behind this and I was just wondering what they were really?

I have noticed there is another radar installation just west of the airfield. Would I be correct in assuming that the westerly dish is used as a primary source and the southerly installation as a backup??

Thanks chaps/chapessess

[SilentHandover]

http://www.pprune.org/atc-issues/207...curiosity.html

or

http://www.pprune.org/atc-issues/153...ive-radar.html

[Radarspod]

The radar installation next to CAA HQ is a test radar installation and was intended as a contingency mobile(-ish) radar incase of serious failure. It has never and will never be used for operations. The radar is turned on and off as necessary for trials.

The radar installation to the West of this one situated just to south of EGKK runway is the Gatwick approach radar. There is also an alternative radar source just south of Crawley at Pease Pottage.

RS

[Minesapint]

Never? Wanna bet?

[squawkident.]

Thanks for the help guys.

Until the next time..

[Radarspod]

Minesapint, must you be such a pedant - so unlike you

The radar wont ever be used, maybe just the antenna and turning gear, okay?


RS