Page 28 - Volume 15 Number 3

Nexrad is a network of 159 high- resolution Doppler weather radars operated by the National Weather Service. Doppler radars can detect precipitation and wind.them that I could make a Z shaped maneuver to continue safely to my destination without having to add a couple hundred extra miles to my trip. The fuel savings on this one trip went a long way to help paying for the initial cost of the Aera.Speaking of costs, repair charges for the radar systems can be very expensive. The replacement of the magnetron alone can cost more than $5,000. Not to mention the costs associated with maintaining and replacing your aircraft’s radome. There are many new GPS receivers that can display the Nexrad data, but I’ve been mentioning the Garmin Aera 560, so let’s focus on this one model. This unit sells for $1,999. It is not an IFR-certified GPS, so it can be easily mounted in the panel using a dock manufactured by Air Gizmos and others, for only a couple hundred dollars.The antenna is simply attached to the glare shield with Velcro. Thedata requires a subscription service for approximately $600 per year. The data included is much more than merely Nexrad. Text data like METAR, airport information detailing runway, fuel availability and hours of operation are easily viewed. This data comes right from the AOPA Airport Directory. You also get graphic displays showing TFRs, terrain, lightning, AIRMETS and SIGMETS, winds aloft, extensions of runway centerlines, surface mapping and general weather icons that quickly let you know where the nearest VFR weather is with a simple scan of the screen.There is even the provision for XM radio stations to be sent to your passengers for some in-flight entertainment. The course information is typically sent from your primary IFR GPS, so you only have to enter it once. The closer you get to your destination, the unit automatically scales down toCovington Aircraft Engines Half Page4/C Ad26 • ­TWIN & TURBINEMARCH 2011