BendixKing IN-862A System RDR-2100 - Manual (Page 45)

VERTICAL PROFILE (VP) THEORY OF OPERATION
The primary use of the RDR 2100 is to aid the pilot in avoiding thunder-
storms and associated turbulence. All normal weather radar principals
apply to the Vertical Profile feature incorporated in the RDR 2100 radar.
It is therefore important to become familiar with the theories of basic
radar principles, beam illumination, radar reflectivity, display calibration,
weather attenuation compensation, weather mapping and interpretation,
ground mapping and target resolution.
The operational difference between the standard weather avoidance
radar and the RDR 2100 is the additional ability to vertically scan the
antenna up and down with respect to the aircraft center line and process
the vertical slice of information for display in a meaningful format.
VP OPERATION IN-FLIGHT
VERTICAL PROFILE
The single most important key to deriving pertinent, usable information
from weather radar is proper tilt management. This formerly complex
procedure is greatly simplified by the RDR 2100 Vertical Profile feature.
With conventional non-VP weather avoidance radars, setting the
antenna tilt angle too low results in excessive ground or sea returns.
Setting the angle too high eliminates the excessive return problems, but
may result in the radar beam passing over the top of a weather target.
The proper antenna tilt angle is directly dependent on a given storm’s
range from the aircraft and its height, width, depth and intensity. Upon
selecting the desired tilt, the pilot must rely on his ability to interpret the
limited display information. For detailed information on tilt management
and interpretation of display information, refer to the Tilt Management
section under Operation In-Flight.
The Vertical Profile feature of the RDR 2100 provides a direct means of
displaying the vertical characteristics of the weather cell. Storm charac-
teristics of particular interest to the pilot include relative height, slant,
shape, vertical development and the area of most concentrated precipita-
tion within the storm. In addition to providing information about the
storm’s vertical characteristics, the pilot can now easily distinguish
between ground or sea returns and actual weather. In dual indicator
installations, the normal azimuth scan may be viewed on one indicator
and Vertical Profile on the other. With this information at hand, the pilot
can develop a mental, three-dimensional picture of the storm.
Effective Date: 9/98 RDR 2100 Pilot's Guide: Rev 1
41
VP Operation In-Flight
RDR 2100 PG 3/12/07 3:45 PM Page 41