B.A. WX Radars
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B.A. WX Radars
Just wondering if any Tech minded person can tell me about B.As Black band around the Wx Radar. How dose this help the radar? Also if the Cpt selects lets say +10 deg tilt and 150nm can the F/O select somthing different,i.e. 0 deg 70nm.!!!
I know its a boring question!
I know its a boring question!
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In reply to the first part of your question re the black band - haven't a clue, I fly the A319 which doesn't have one and I'm not aware of very many types which do.
In answer to the second part re different radar displays on each side of the flight deck, most systems will allow it with the radar display being superimposed over the map with the relevant scale selected. When the radar sweeps one way, it looks in the direction selected by the guy (or gal) on the left (ie 5 deg UP) and the other way looks in the direction selected by the person on the right.
There's probably a much simpler way of describing it.
In answer to the second part re different radar displays on each side of the flight deck, most systems will allow it with the radar display being superimposed over the map with the relevant scale selected. When the radar sweeps one way, it looks in the direction selected by the guy (or gal) on the left (ie 5 deg UP) and the other way looks in the direction selected by the person on the right.
There's probably a much simpler way of describing it.
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I think the black band is just a spare radome which was fitted after the last respray mate.
There is only one tilt control on the radar so both pilots must look at the same tilt picture. Each pilot can select the range independantly so one can be on 300 miles and the other on ten.
There is only one tilt control on the radar so both pilots must look at the same tilt picture. Each pilot can select the range independantly so one can be on 300 miles and the other on ten.
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Guess its a BA thing then. Our internal B737-436's have an individual tilt control (i.e. one for each map display) but those other 737 that we have acquired from other sources (e.g ex Dan A/C, the -300's - can't talk about the -500 coz I havn't, yet!) have only one tilt control. The double tilt thing really is useful when negotiating thunderstorm alleys!
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[This message has been edited by Cough (edited 15 June 2001).]
CCCccccccc....ough
[This message has been edited by Cough (edited 15 June 2001).]
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Re. the 'black band' around the radome ....
BA has this on some of their 757's and is to do with an MLS test they are running.
The MLS reciever is in the radome and some onboard equipment is logging the data at airfields that are promulgating MLS signals in parallel with ILS signals.
BA has this on some of their 757's and is to do with an MLS test they are running.
The MLS reciever is in the radome and some onboard equipment is logging the data at airfields that are promulgating MLS signals in parallel with ILS signals.
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Ricky, reference the black bands, they were applied to the 757's (2 I think) that carried out the MLS trials into LHR in the mid-90's. That's the first I heard of them and the reason why they were there. I believe the MLS trials have now finished.. could be wrong on that one.
Radar range.. now I do know this one! Cough is correct above; the only aircraft in BA's inventory which I can definitely say "yes" to your different range and tilt question is the 737-436, the BA-spec -400 variant, not the ex-Dan or the -300's, -500's.
On other types it is possible, and indeed beneficial to set a different range across the flight deck (777, 757, 767, A320/319) but not tilt angle, the BA pre-privatisation 737-400 being unique in that. I cannot speak for the BA-fit 747 or 744 other than to say that unlike other operators BA have a seperate WX radar screen on some if not all of their 744 fleet; whether that is in addition to, or seperate from a superimposed wx-radar presentation on the ND I can't say. I haven't flown the 744 with BA, but the company I did fly it with had only ND presentation for wx radar, and only one tilt setting.
Speaking from my experience I found that very facility to have a different tilt and range very useful. It was generated by seperating the sweep on the same system, one for the left, next for the right. The "Auto" gain range on the 73 could be a bit insensitive at times, but manual gain set close to the auto setting took care of anything missed under auto, normally.
Hope this helps,
£6
Edit for spelling, and to credit Cough, whos post I missed first time..sorry mate!
[This message has been edited by Sick Squid (edited 16 June 2001).]
Radar range.. now I do know this one! Cough is correct above; the only aircraft in BA's inventory which I can definitely say "yes" to your different range and tilt question is the 737-436, the BA-spec -400 variant, not the ex-Dan or the -300's, -500's.
On other types it is possible, and indeed beneficial to set a different range across the flight deck (777, 757, 767, A320/319) but not tilt angle, the BA pre-privatisation 737-400 being unique in that. I cannot speak for the BA-fit 747 or 744 other than to say that unlike other operators BA have a seperate WX radar screen on some if not all of their 744 fleet; whether that is in addition to, or seperate from a superimposed wx-radar presentation on the ND I can't say. I haven't flown the 744 with BA, but the company I did fly it with had only ND presentation for wx radar, and only one tilt setting.
Speaking from my experience I found that very facility to have a different tilt and range very useful. It was generated by seperating the sweep on the same system, one for the left, next for the right. The "Auto" gain range on the 73 could be a bit insensitive at times, but manual gain set close to the auto setting took care of anything missed under auto, normally.
Hope this helps,
£6
Edit for spelling, and to credit Cough, whos post I missed first time..sorry mate!
[This message has been edited by Sick Squid (edited 16 June 2001).]
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£6,
As you rightly say, the 737-436 has the facility to allow different tilts and different ranges to be displayed on each side. Other models of 737 did not. The Scud sticks particularly in the mind due to the screen which sat just ahead of the throttle quadrant and used to show coastlines far better than embedded CBs. (I remember a story of a crew - not sure which company - who removed it in flight once and had to use the fire axe to smash it to bits when it got stuck and they realised they couldn't set TOGA! - I digress.)
Anyway, as I meant to say before I rudely interrupted myself, the A319 also has the facility for different range and tilt on each display. V. useful.
[This message has been edited by airforcenone (edited 18 June 2001).]
As you rightly say, the 737-436 has the facility to allow different tilts and different ranges to be displayed on each side. Other models of 737 did not. The Scud sticks particularly in the mind due to the screen which sat just ahead of the throttle quadrant and used to show coastlines far better than embedded CBs. (I remember a story of a crew - not sure which company - who removed it in flight once and had to use the fire axe to smash it to bits when it got stuck and they realised they couldn't set TOGA! - I digress.)
Anyway, as I meant to say before I rudely interrupted myself, the A319 also has the facility for different range and tilt on each display. V. useful.
[This message has been edited by airforcenone (edited 18 June 2001).]
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As someone who has had the (dis)pleasure of flying both -436,-300 and -500 with BA. I can confirm that the two tilt options are available on the -436 and on some of the -500, but not all it depends on where they came from...............along with all the other differences which the -500's have! e.g pressurisation, trimmers, nav boxes, radios, MCP's. Shall I go on?!
