Driving off birds using acft radar
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Joined: Oct 2013
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From: Portugal
Driving off birds using acft radar
Hi Guys, in one of my recent line verification, the TRE told me something I had never heard before (I have been flying for 35 years now !) ...
The statement was: " ... you can use your airborne radar to drive off birds in the vicinity of the airport ... claiming that the birds "feel" the waves and run away ! ".
For me it does not make any sense. I do not know any animal in the earth (including us) that would be able to "feel" electromagnetic (radio) waves. In the other hand, if this statement has a minimum chance to be true it would be written in the radar's manual, I think !.
Thinking a little bit more, at airports we have ATC radars (mainly primary ones), ground radars and meteorological radars and if this would be true the birds would not be a problem at all !
Does anybody heard this before ? Any suggestion is appreciated !
The statement was: " ... you can use your airborne radar to drive off birds in the vicinity of the airport ... claiming that the birds "feel" the waves and run away ! ".
For me it does not make any sense. I do not know any animal in the earth (including us) that would be able to "feel" electromagnetic (radio) waves. In the other hand, if this statement has a minimum chance to be true it would be written in the radar's manual, I think !.
Thinking a little bit more, at airports we have ATC radars (mainly primary ones), ground radars and meteorological radars and if this would be true the birds would not be a problem at all !
Does anybody heard this before ? Any suggestion is appreciated !
Last edited by levm; 10th October 2013 at 15:56.
Avoid imitations
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Wandering the FIR and cyberspace often at highly unsociable times
Sorry but that is a myth; trials were run some years ago and as you say birds can't sense radar waves any more than we can.
Birds will react to forward facing white lights, though. The RAF encouraged us to use our landing light/ searchlights when operating at low level.
Birds will react to forward facing white lights, though. The RAF encouraged us to use our landing light/ searchlights when operating at low level.
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Australia
the TRE told me something I had never heard before (I have been flying for 35 years now !)
Then I happened to read the Collins WXR-700X Pilots guide, (October 1974 edition) and at page 33 it states:
"The average radiated power density of the Collins WXR-700X Weather Radar System is significantly less than the 10mW/cm2 allowable for limiting the exposure of rf energy to humans as noted in FAA Advisory circular, number 20-68B, dated august 1980. The WXR-700X doe not require the use of a dummy load when operated on the ground."
That was in 1974. Presumably the modern radars are safer still?
Last edited by Centaurus; 10th October 2013 at 13:11.
Joined: May 2011
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From: FL400
I have heard this crap trotted out by very experienced and educated Captains and Instructors alike - I always challenge them to explain how this works. As you might imagine, I have never received a wholly convincing answer.
Even if birds could somehow feel the radar, how would they know where it's coming from and thus get out of the way? Most birds don't seem that clever.
Even if birds could somehow feel the radar, how would they know where it's coming from and thus get out of the way? Most birds don't seem that clever.
Joined: Nov 1999
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Yes, I am not convinced either, but as Latetonite says "it can't hurt, and even if the birds couldn't care less, it might help someone avoid the CB cloud a little further on. David Attenborough regales us with tales of new scientific and ornithological discoveries that are made every year, as to the previously unknown sensory capabilities of these creatures, so who knows? I am happy to wear odd socks if it is perceived to improve the odds.
Joined: May 2001
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From: A few degrees South
De Facto: you don't have to.
But I aint forget to switch it on when it gets dark either, or when I enter clouds, plus it gives me predictive windshear on my plane, a bit earlier than on yours.
But I aint forget to switch it on when it gets dark either, or when I enter clouds, plus it gives me predictive windshear on my plane, a bit earlier than on yours.
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Tring, UK
Interesting one. Now, normally I would agree and say that it's an urban myth but a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, I worked on ground and airborne radars, civil and military.
One of the guys I was working with claimed he could actually 'hear' radar; well the prf from the transmitter, anyway. We did a few experiments and yes, when close enough, he could detect whether the radar was on or not. He had a theory that there was some sort of rectification going on in his middle ear that was stimulating the nerve endings, giving him the impression of hearing a quiet "chirp". Whatever the true explanation, he did seem fairly unique among us.
So, there *may* be a grain of truth there somewhere. One for Mythbusters?
One of the guys I was working with claimed he could actually 'hear' radar; well the prf from the transmitter, anyway. We did a few experiments and yes, when close enough, he could detect whether the radar was on or not. He had a theory that there was some sort of rectification going on in his middle ear that was stimulating the nerve endings, giving him the impression of hearing a quiet "chirp". Whatever the true explanation, he did seem fairly unique among us.
So, there *may* be a grain of truth there somewhere. One for Mythbusters?
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Over the Pacific mostly
One of the guys I was working with claimed he could actually 'hear' radar; well the prf from the transmitter, anyway. We did a few experiments and yes, when close enough, he could detect whether the radar was on or not. He had a theory that there was some sort of rectification going on in his middle ear that was stimulating the nerve endings, giving him the impression of hearing a quiet "chirp". Whatever the true explanation, he did seem fairly unique among us.
