Weather Radar System - WX

1. SYSTEM DESCRIPTION


2. SYSTEM OPERATION


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 Weather Radar System - WX
WX-Radar - Architecture

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 WX - SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

Honeywell ART 2000

The RDR 2000 Colour Weather Radar System consists of three pieces of equipment:
• ART2000 Antenna / Receiver / Transmitter,
• Configuration Module (included in the Installation Kit), and
• 12 inch antenna which is installed on the ART 2000.
The main role of the Weather Radar System is as follow:
• To support basic weather mode for weather observation
• To support weather alert mode for weather observation with alert mode
• To support vertical weather mode for vertical weather observation
• To support ground mapping mode for terrain observation
• To support independent control for pilot and co-pilot
The display of the weather radar is enabled on the MFD and PFD and controlled with
the MFDCP. The drop−down menus can be selected via the PUSH SEL button on the
WX TILT/MODE knob on the MFDCP.

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 WX - SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

System Installation

The weather radar unit and weather radar antenna are installed in the nose section of
the aircraft.

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 WX - SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

System Installation

The weather radar is powered with 28 V DC and protected by:

− WXR / BUS 2 on the RH AC/DC circuit breaker panel

The WX radar has a forced standby (FSBY) safety feature by weight−on−wheel

(WOW) switch which inhibits the transmitter when the aircraft is on ground.

The radar is wired to the WOW switch and the WX radar will be in the FSBY mode
when the aircraft is on the ground. In FSBY mode, the transmitter scan is inhibited,
the display is blanked and the ON GND legend is displayed in the WX mode field of
the MFD.

The antenna is still moving until the WX radar is set to STBY or RDR OFF.

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Capability

The weather radar will display a lateral or vertical picture of radar returns in four
levels of colors, which represents the density of clouds:
− magenta intense returns (wet hail)
− red heavy returns (large rain drops)
− yellow moderate returns (wet snow, rain)
− green weak returns (dry hail, small rain drops)
− black no returns (dry snow, fog, drizzle)

The horizontal scan angle is max.100 degrees, the vertical scan is max. 60 degrees.

The selectable range for horizontal scan is 5, 10, 20, 40, 80 and 120 NM.

The selectable range for vertical scan is 2,5 to 240 NM.

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 WX - SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

Capability

The WX radar video can be individually displayed on the pilot’s and copilot’s PFD by
pushing the respective WX knob on the PFDCP.

The WX radar status will be displayed on the PFD with any MAP display in white
color when the WX radar was selected cross−side and in green when selected
on−side.

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 WX - SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

Capability

The vertical profile scans the sky vertically +/- 30° and the horizontal azimuth is
adjustable +/- 45° using the track line as reference.

The radar beam can be tilt +/- 15° up and down of the horizontal position.

The gain is adjustable from −31,5 to 0

The tilt angle is adjustable +/-15° above and below horizontal position.

Roll trim is adjustable from − 4,0 to + 3,875

The weather radar has a 12−inch antenna and is fully stabilized to +/- 30° in pitch
and roll.

The system cannot display lightning strikes.

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 WX - SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
MFD Control Panel

RANGE/OPTIONS KNOB
The RANGE/OPTIONS knob and center PUSH SEL button are used to control map
ranges on the MFD and to activate menus for selection. For WX operation a MAP
mode must be selected.

Pushing the PUSH SEL button in the RANGE/OPTION knob activates the drop down
menu with magenta cursor and rotating the knob highlights the selection.
Pushing the PUSH SEL button again activates the selection.

The RANGE/OPTION knob is always active to change the range as long as no drop
down menu is selected.

The weather detection range on the MFD can be changed in steps with the RANGE/
OPTION knob on the MFDCP or on PFDCP, when the weather radar is displayed on
the corresponding PFD.

Changing the range of WX on the PFDCP will also change the range on the MFD.

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 WX - SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

MFD Control Panel

WX Button
Pushing the WX button on the MFDCP selects automatically a MAP layout and will
display the weather radar picture on the respective MFD. Pushing the WX button
again will remove the WX display and WX data block from the MFD.

The PFD will display the weather radar picture in any MAP format and in the same
range as selected on the MFD when pushing the WX button on the respective
PFDCP.

Pushing the WX button again will remove the WX display and WX data block from
the PFD but remains in the selected MAP format.

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 WX - SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

MFD Control Panel

WX/TILT MODE KNOB

The WX TILT/MODE knob has two basic functions:
• changing the Wx radar antenna tilt
• Selecting modes of the Wx radar.

The different functions are selected via the PUSH SELECT button on this knob.

When the weather radar is selected (on), the rotary TILT control knob is always active
and used to select the tilt angle of the antenna beam with relation to the horizon.

Clockwise rotation tilts the beam upward to +15;

counterclockwise rotation tilts the beam downward to -15 .

A digital readout of the antenna tilt angle is displayed


on the MFD and boxed in cyan color when the value is changed.

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 WX - SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

MFD Control Panel

WX/TILT MODE KNOB

Pushing the PUSH SEL button on the WX TILT/MODE knob opens a drop down
menu to select various modes. By turning the knob the selectable functions are
overlaid with a cursor.

Pushing the WX TILT/MODE knob again will accept the selected functions.

• EXIT
• STBY
• RDR OFF
• WX
• GND MAP
• WXA
• TEST

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 WX - SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

MFD Control Panel

WX/TILT MODE KNOB

When the WX radar is selected and operating, pushing the PUSH SEL button on the
WX TILT/MODE knob will open a drop−down with the following options 

(in any MAP format):
• EXIT
• STBY
• RDR OFF
The desired menu point can be selected when • WX
pushing the PUSH SEL button. • GND MAP
• WXA
The drop−down menu disappears. • VP ON/OFF
• TRCK CTL
• STAB ON/OFF
The drop−down menu will also disappear after • FREEZE ON/OFF
5 seconds of inactivity with no change in the • GAIN CTL
selection. • GAIN VAR
• GAIN PRESET
• TEST
• ROLL TRIM

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 WX - SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
Menue Selections

STBY
For start up on ground, this menu point energize the WX radar.

RDR OFF
This menu point must be selected to de−energize the weather radar.
If the WX radar is off, only STBY and the other modes are displayed.
If the WX radar is on, STBY and RDR OFF is displayed as menu item.

WX
This is the normal weather detection mode. This menu point is available to change
from any mode to operating weather radar mode. The indication on the WX data
block is an amber WX−TX on the on−side PFD and a green WX on the MFD.

GND MAP
It enables the pilot to use the WX radar as ground radar. The transmitter / receiver
gain is automatically optimized for ground mapping to de−clutter radar video. The
gain can be adjusted on pilot’s discretion. The indication is a white MAP on the MFD.

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Menue Selections

WXA
Selecting the Weather Alert mode (WXA) enables the radar target alert feature in a
range from 5 to 170 NM which advise the pilot of a potentially hazardous target
directly in front of the aircraft outside the selected range.
The indication is a green WXA.

When selected, target alert monitors 50 NM beyond the selected range and 10
degrees on each side of the aircraft heading. The radar tilt is according the actual
setting.

If a red or magenta return with target alert characteristics is detected in the monitored
area, a Target Alert will be issued by two red arcs, separated by a black arc , which
will be displayed at the top of the display, centered on the aircraft heading. The
Target Alert is applied to each scan.

To deselect the WXA mode another mode or RDR OFF must be selected.

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 WX - SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

Menue Selections

TEST
The selection of TEST will display the
TEST pattern as long as a different mode
is selected. The range can be adjusted
with the RANGE/OPTION knob on the
MFDCP.
For testing all colors a range of 40 NM
is recommended.

STAB ON/OFF
Normal operation is with stabilization of the radar antenna to the horizon (STAB ON)
which compensates for 30° pitch and roll to direct the antenna to the horizon.

The menu point STAB OFF disconnects information to the AHRS and the radar
antenna (detection line) is according actual aircraft pitch and roll attitude.
Only STAB OFF is indicated on the MFD, when selected.

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 WX - SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
Menue Selections

VP ON / OFF
The selection of this menu point provides the Vertical Profile (VP) mode of the WX
radar. The tilt and gain functions are the same.
Selecting the VP OFF, the WX radar returns to the previous selected mode.
The center line is displayed according baro altitude.

TRACK CTL
The selection of this menu point allows the pilot to change the horizontal WX
detection line 50° left and right of the aircraft’s track. The scan rate of 50° either side
remains the same.
The deviation of the horizontal track is controlled with the WX TILT/MODE knob.
To cancel this mode another mode must be selected.

FREEZE ON / OFF
This selection enables the pilot to freeze the actual display for further interpretation.
To deselect the frozen display select FREEZE OFF. The WX radar return to the
previous selected mode.
The indication is an amber FREEZE on the MFD.
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 WX - SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

Menue Selections

ROLL TRIM
Provision to adjust for a mechanical error of 2° or less if the radar sensor is not
mounted parallel to the wings.

GAIN CTL
This selection enables the pilot to change the radar gain to optimize the
GND MAP video. The gain value is indicated on the MFD and changed with the 

WX TILT/MODE knob. In the WX mode, the gain is not changeable.
To leave this menu point selection of other mode is required.

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 WX - SYSTEM OPERATION
System Turn On
As prerequisite to turn the WX radar on, the AVIONICS MSTR must be set to ON and
the WXR circuit breaker must be set in.

To activate the WX radar push the PUSH SEL button on the WX TILT/MODE knob on
the MFDCP and select any mode by turning the WX TILT/MODE knob and enter the
mode by pushing again the PUSH SEL button.

Pilot and copilot can set up their WX radar indication individually (horizontally and/or
vertically) and get the individual preset WX video displayed on the respective PFD or
MFD when pushing the WX button on the PFDCP or MFDCP.

If only one MFD is set up for WX operation the cross−side PFD can receive the WX
video but mode selection must be done from the respective MFDCP. The range can
be changed from any PFDCP and MFDCP.

If the MFD is used as EICAS, the WX modes can be changed by pushing the WX
TILT/MODE knob below the EICAS panel and the selectable menu points will be
displayed on the PFD.

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 WX - SYSTEM OPERATION

WX video
The weather radar indication is best to be displayed on the MFD 2, when pushing the
PUSH SEL button on the MODE/TILT knob and select WX.

To display the weather video on the MFD the WX button on the MFDCP must be
pressed and on the PFDCP as well to watch the weather video on the PFD.

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Vertical Profile

The selection of vertical profile (VP) menu point in the drop−down menu allows the
pilot to analyze a storm segment vertically to determine the scope of the storm. The
pilot can monitor the tops of cells, he can see how quickly a storm is building by
checking the angle of a cell’s leading edge to see whether it is moving.

Select VP ON in the drop−down menu to activate

the Vertical Profile mode and change the range as
required with the RANGE/OPTION knob.

VP is displayed in white color at the MFD, and the

VP display appears on the screen.

The center line represent your aircraft’s altitude,

the upper and lower line represents an altitude
which is 6000 ft above and below the center line.

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System Set up

To have the WX radar as soon as possible available after takeoff, the system can be
set up in the following way:

Select menu point

− any MAP format on MFD2
− TEST with 40 NM
− WX
− Range and tilt as required on the MFDCP
− Check WX−ON GND on MFD.

When the WOW switches sense aircraft in the air, the WX radar will automatically
start to transmit and display a video according to the selected range, tilt and gain.

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 WX - SYSTEM OPERATION

System Shut Down

The WX select button on the MFDCP or PFDCP does not control the primary power
of the weather radar. To shut down the system select RDR OFF in the drop−down
menu on the WX TILT/MODE push-button.

To de-energize the weather radar totally, the WXR circuit breaker on the RH AC/DC
circuit breaker panel must be pulled.

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System Failure

On the MFD the indication is an amber WX on the weather data block when the WX
radar is set up for display but the power is not available due to switch error (e.g.
pulled WXR c/b).

WX/FLT (weather fault) is indicated when the switches are set correctly but an
internal fault has been detected.

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 Weather Radar System - WX

System Resolved ?

Any Questions ?
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