Considering that the weather radar detects rain droplets, if I am on the ground and shoot the radar beam ahead with tilt 0 (thus about 5-6 meters above the ground, considering the height of the 777 radome) while it is raining, will I get radar returns?

I would think not, due to ground obstructions.

Well, of course if I have no obstructions between me and the rain ahead.

And what about the returns from high ground behind the rain ahead, interfering?

 

Not sure why you wish to know to be honest.

Considering that the weather radar detects rain droplets, if I am on the ground and shoot the radar beam ahead with tilt 0 (thus about 5-6 meters above the ground, considering the height of the 777 radome) while it is raining, will I get radar returns?

 

What does proximity to the ground have to do with any of this?  It's the same concept at 0 AGL as it is up at FL360.  Excepting ground clutter (trees, buildings, and so on), rain is rain, and radar bounces off rain and shows on the ND.

ASN does not simulate ground clutter. That being said, the simulation does still provide wx info on the ground.

 

I remember a flight years ago leaving Montgomery AL, probably an Eastern DC-9, that did a complete turn 360+ while using the radar to scope out the numerous cells in the area. Back then, the cabin door was often left open and it was fun to watch. Back on topic: I always turn WX Radar ON when turning on strobes and landing lights for entering active departure runway.

What does proximity to the ground have to do with any of this?  It's the same concept at 0 AGL as it is up at FL360.  Excepting ground clutter (trees, buildings, and so on), rain is rain, and radar bounces off rain and shows on the ND.

 

I am assuming WXR has low radiation to be able to turn it on, on the ground.

I am assuming WXR has low radiation to be able to turn it on, on the ground.

 

Not sure what you're getting at, here.  It's the same beam on the ground as it is in the air.  That's why it's part of the after landing checklist to turn it off before arriving on the ramp.  It's not good for the health of the ground handlers to leave it on.  It essentially uses the same concept as a food-cooking microwave (there's a story about radar and a chocolate bar being the inspiration for microwave cooking, actually).  Think about what that would do to a person.  In all actuality, most of the damage is to the optic nerves, but still, it's not good stuff.

 

 

same concept as a food-cooking microwave

 

Microwave ovens are tuned to the resonant frequency of water molecules, and radar is designed to detect water thus the connection.  The frequency can vary and still have an effect. I spent time at an Air Force communications site with 10,000W transmitters and 60ft tall 'billboard' parabolic antennas (troposcatter, used before satellites) where the frequencies were not water resonant but close enough to see birds sitting on the feed horns during winter to warm up... and it they stayed too long they'd drop dead to the ground. Powerfull stuff at the right frequencies.

 

 

but close enough to see birds sitting on the feed horns during winter to warm up... and it they stayed too long they'd drop dead to the ground. Powerfull stuff at the right frequencies.

 

My dad did some work with AEGIS radar when he was starting out as a contractor a while back (same company he's been with for longer than I've been alive, in fact).  He always tells stories about birds that got tangled up in the energy emitted from those things, cooked mid-air, and dropped on the deck.

 

Apparently his observation wasn't unique:

http://www.storg.net/view/?00087

 

There's a huge array down near DTS that I flew by (well clear of it, but still visible).  Apparently it's used for something like sat tracking?  Terrible pic, but I wasn't gonna get any closer, and it was on a point and shoot camera from about 2004:

 

 

There's a huge array down near DTS that I flew by (well clear of it, but still visible). Apparently it's used for something like sat tracking?

 

Destin FL (DTS) and next door Ft Walton Beach is home to Eglin AFB and a big weapons test center, so probably no satellite tracking but more likely range tracking and EW simulation stuff.  Really cool thing about Eglin is that it has the coldest spot on the ground in the US. There is a hanger that can cool down to stratispheric temps while feeding enough air to run all four engines on a 747.... really cool stuff.  I spent time at Aux Field 9, also known as Hurlburt Field next door to Eglin, when the AF Special Operations Command set up shop during the mid-'80's. Okay, I am an old fart.

 

 

so probably no satellite tracking but more likely range tracking and EW simulation stuff. 

 

That's what I'd assumed, too, but apparently not:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eglin_AFB_Site_C-6

 

 

 

Really cool thing about Eglin is that it has the coldest spot on the ground in the US. There is a hanger that can cool down to stratispheric temps while feeding enough air to run all four engines on a 747.... really cool stuff.

 

That's pretty neat.  Never knew that!

 

 

 

I spent time at Aux Field 9, also known as Hurlburt Field next door to Eglin, when the AF Special Operations Command set up shop during the mid-'80's. Okay, I am an old fart.

 

The pic in the earlier post actually came from a DTS-CKM leg (in a C207 - fun!) where I flew right over VPS, and got a few good views of HRT.  Small world.

 

 

The pic in the earlier post actually came from a DTS-CKM leg (in a C207 - fun!) where I flew right over VPS, and got a few good views of HRT. Small world.

 

And I learned something too... I either forgot or did not know that there was a Space Track site at Eglin. Thanks.  I flew into HRT in an AF Aero Club C-172 from Scott AFB (BLV), and I'll never forget the wing commander looking me up and wanting to know what in the hell that Cessna was doing on the same ramp as his AC-130's, MC-130's and MH-53's. I was never so glad that I got PPR (prior permission required) clearance before hand. I cannot put into words how impressive that ramp was, or how exciting it was during arrival descent when I was given traffic by approach as a B-52 at 500 ft passing below left to right. Holy cow!

 

 

I cannot put into words how impressive that ramp was, or how exciting it was during arrival descent when I was given traffic by approach as a B-52 at 500 ft passing below left to right. Holy cow!

 

I bet!  The neighbor of mine who I blame entirely for my aviation habit actually got a picture of an F-117 flying under him out in CA.  The coolest thing I've done is fly into IAD during the arrival push, and a few other times in the middle of the night.

Hi folks,

I flew real life with wx. radar for many years.  You don't turn it on until you are ready for take-off !

It needs to be turned off, before landing, or, when exiting the RW. The beam is powerful enough to harm a person. Way more than a micro-wave oven.

 

Yes, it works just fine on the ground, tilt the antenna up a couple of degrees.  The heaviest part of the storm cell will be a few thousand feet above the ground.

 

Cheers,

Jerry Friz

 

ps.

Also, when flying in heavy precip. in the B737, you should put the engine start switches in" continuous ". 

The B777, I believe would be engine- anti-ice switches to "on"

I doubt if this is modeled though to really get a flame out.