weather delay
- Thread starter raider
- Start date
j1b3h0
Line Up and Wait
Just one man's opinion, but the article is not baseless - textbook style convective weather phenomona can change very quickly, hence the concern. That said, it (NEXRAD) offers something traditional airborne radar sets can't display very well: The big picture. And it will display the big picture over time: it animates the weather movement. It's like the difference between what a scuba diver sees, through his mask while he's bobbing on the surface vs. what he might see sitting atop the conning tower of a sport fishing boat - though not in real time. A really Guccied out fancypants bizjet probably has both. Most of us airline guys have radar alone. It works pretty well, once you learn how to read the tea leaves.
Ever since we first got weather in the cockpit, we've been aware that it is at least 15 minutes old. However, we feel that is superior to the 3-1/2 hour old weather we got during our last briefing before taking off.
Once again, don't just follow the magenta line blindly.
Once again, don't just follow the magenta line blindly.
silver-eagle
En-Route
There was a huge discussion about XM Weather with our local weatherman Scott Dennstaedt who suggested the nexrad on XM could be as much as 90 minutes old. While XM is quite a nice addition, knowing the age of the data should alter how you use it. Even aviationweather.gov is dated though only by about 10 minutes.
Know your source and adjust how you use it. I think it gives you a good strategic advantage.
Know your source and adjust how you use it. I think it gives you a good strategic advantage.