WX, STORM SCOP, RADAR

[ChristianGodin]

I am flying a 201 equip with a 430, 496 with a WX subsciption. I have approx. 1000 hours time with a newly IFR ticket. The last 25 hours were file IFR 70% of the time in VFR or MVFR conditions to practice. When flying in IMC I don"t file when there is "multiple or scatered CB" but I do file when there is "few CB".

My question is the following: Can or should I trust WX especially since information is somewhat 15 minutes late, or should I buy a storm scope? Also should I fly in red zone if there is no lightnings, airmet and sigmet...? 

 

[jetdriven]

This could go 2 pages, but here is my piece.  An XM or ADS-B image could lag actual real-time data by up to 20 minutes, even though the update time in the cockpit is at 00:00.  the NTSB just released a report about this. The weather image also only displays precipitation levels.  Stormscope detects lightning and it is real-time. Lightning is the major characteristic of a thunderstorm, and is one of the first indicators of a developing one, before radar picks up a return. The rain may be intense, but it will be a smooth ride if not convective. Zero lightining strikes can confirm that.

If you can maintain visual identification and separation from potential weather clouds, that is the best strategy, and one I follow. Even if it means getting down to 1500 AGL and avoiding the rain shafts. If you must fly in IMC with the potential for embedded TS, then a Stormscope will give you the first clue as to what lies ahead. 

The color on a radar display correlates with precipitation level, and depending on if you are looking at a NEXRAD, XM, a single-site, or composite image, ATC weather radar, or Canadian weather radar, the intensity for each color varies a little.  But generally speaking, if you cannot positively confirm it is not a TS, remaining clear of yellow or heavier. is good advice.  However, if the image is 10-20 minutes old, a complete TS could have developed in that nice hole you're showing. The whole area may have shifted ten miles.  A few recent crashes just this year suggest this is what is happening to aircraft with XM weather.   Using XM or ADS-B to circumnavigate the entire area of bad weather is the real value in it. For that, its awesome.

We have ADS-B on the iPad and a WX-8 stormscope which is inop. I have been shopping for a used Series II Stormscope to replace our WX-8.  You can do a lot of the work yourself, (its similar to installing an ADF),  and have an avionics shop do the post-install test for around 2K all in.  The drop it off and install a new one price, is closer to 7-10K.

The non-Mooney airplanes I fly have onboard weather radar. With a good set and a proficient operator, you can usually gather enough information with tilt, range, and intensity to pick the best path through areas of weather.

http://www.ntsb.gov/doclib/safetyalerts/SA_017.pdf

[ChristianGodin]

Thank You for this helpfull comments.  What should be the used price for a stormscope 1000 and are they common on the use market. Ebay...

[laytonl]

I bought a StrikeFinder 2000 for my Cherokee for about $900 and put it in myself.  Paid my mechanic $50 to do the paperwork.

Also did a WX-10A in my Mooney, but it was more work.  The Stormscope was given to me by a friend who was updating his C-310.

I definitely recommend a lightning detector in addition to XM.  Using both gives a pretty good picture of the weather.

 

Lee

[ChristianGodin]

Thank You...

[M016576]

Quote: jetdriven

This could go 2 pages, but here is my piece.  An XM or ADS-B image could lag actual real-time data by up to 20 minutes, even though the update time in the cockpit is at 00:00.  the NTSB just released a report about this. The weather image also only displays precipitation levels.  Stormscope detects lightning and it is real-time. Lightning is the major characteristic of a thunderstorm, and is one of the first indicators of a developing one, before radar picks up a return. The rain may be intense, but it will be a smooth ride if not convective. Zero lightining strikes can confirm that.

If you can maintain visual identification and separation from potential weather clouds, that is the best strategy, and one I follow. Even if it means getting down to 1500 AGL and avoiding the rain shafts. If you must fly in IMC with the potential for embedded TS, then a Stormscope will give you the first clue as to what lies ahead. 

The color on a radar display correlates with precipitation level, and depending on if you are looking at a NEXRAD, XM, a single-site, or composite image, ATC weather radar, or Canadian weather radar, the intensity for each color varies a little.  But generally speaking, if you cannot positively confirm it is not a TS, remaining clear of yellow or heavier. is good advice.  However, if the image is 10-20 minutes old, a complete TS could have developed in that nice hole you're showing. The whole area may have shifted ten miles.  A few recent crashes just this year suggest this is what is happening to aircraft with XM weather.   Using XM or ADS-B to circumnavigate the entire area of bad weather is the real value in it. For that, its awesome.

We have ADS-B on the iPad and a WX-8 stormscope which is inop. I have been shopping for a used Series II Stormscope to replace our WX-8.  You can do a lot of the work yourself, (its similar to installing an ADF),  and have an avionics shop do the post-install test for around 2K all in.  The drop it off and install a new one price, is closer to 7-10K.

The non-Mooney airplanes I fly have onboard weather radar. With a good set and a proficient operator, you can usually gather enough information with tilt, range, and intensity to pick the best path through areas of weather.

http://www.ntsb.gov/doclib/safetyalerts/SA_017.pdf