ABSTRACT
Weather radar (WXR) was introduced onto
passenger aircraft during the 1950s for pilots to
identify weather conditions and subsequently
reroute around these conditions for the safety and
comfort of passengers. Extreme weather
conditions are a major threat to the safe operation
of an aircraft. Approximately 33% of accidents
are weather related; flight crews need to be
aware of these conditions and understand the
consequences. In the age of digital data com-
munications, aircraft systems, e.g. aircraft
communication addressing and reporting system
(ACARS), can receive and transmit information
about prevailing weather conditions. The onboard
weather radar, however, provides the crew with
their main source of identifying extreme weather
conditions. A secondary use of weather radar is a
terrain-mapping mode that allows the pilot to
identify features of the ground, e.g. rivers,
coastlines and mountains. Various features are
being added to weather radar systems to provide
many benefits including enhanced displays and
improved turbulence detection. In this chapter we
will review some basic radar principles, and
examine the principles of weather radar including
the detection of severe turbulence and lightning.
