Page 6 - Volume 15 Number 5

AirMail Letters to the EditorRadar Vs. NexradI very much enjoy reading cover to cover “Twin & Turbine.” In the March edition I was taken aback by “Weather Radar versus Nexrad” by Chuck Blackaby. First, I believe that mere pilots are not allowed to permanently mount any equipment, or even brackets for removable gear, in the cockpit. This is reserved to the qualified maintenance staff because it may involve a new weight and balance or hinder the pilot’s view of other flight critical or back-up displays. Second, XM’s weather information may indicate a time of 5 minutes, but in reality, the government agencies supplying the information may take an additional 10 minutes. Therefore, even flying a PC 12, the information is much delayed compared to the on-board weather radar.Chuck’s comment regarding the demise of storm scopes and on-board radar is simply not true. XM’s lightning information is strictly from cloud-to-ground strikes and does not include spherics. Spherics can give indications of where turbulence might be. Even thoughthe strike finders may not be absolutely accurate in distance due to the algorithm it uses, it is easy to overlay it with the on-board radar to get proper distances and it does give additional information to the pilot to avoid possible severe conditions.All of the current information sources; XM’s lightning and Nexrad products together with storm scopes and on-board radar give the pilot unique and different information regarding the conditions he faces and all of them need to be utilized, knowing the limitations and strengths of each.Roger BlockPC-12 owner(Past President of POPA 2000-2002)Final ThoughtsJust wanted to send a short email to say I really enjoy your “On Final” colorful articles in Twin & Turbine.The “Hands Across the Aisle” was great and left me with a smile. I too have been a pilot for 42 years and still enjoy flying. I fly a C-340A which is a delight and have had a King Air and Aztec over the years.Keep up the great articles and fly safe.John ButlerATP, CFIIAirplanes & HelicoptersAtlantic Coast Contractors, Inc. Denver, NC4 • TWIN & TURBINEMAY 2011