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Airborne Weather Sensors

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • While EFBs and ground-based weather tools provide strategic information, their data can be delayed, making airborne weather radar the only truly tactical system for real-time thunderstorm detection.
  • Pilots must understand the specific capabilities and limitations of each weather tool, distinguishing between systems that detect precipitation (radar) and those that detect lightning (sferic devices).
  • Effective use of airborne radar requires specialized training in operation and interpretation, including managing antenna tilt and differentiating weather from ground clutter.
  • Ultimately, staying in visual conditions is presented as the best thunderstorm avoidance strategy, as pilots must rely on their own systems and judgment, with ATC only providing deviation clearances.
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(Editor’s Note: This is the final contribution to a three-part series on going beyond the standard preflight weather briefing on your EFB.)

The contemporary electronic flight bag (EFB) is truly a “how did we ever live without this?” kind of tool. It can put just about any text or imagery on its display at the tap of an icon, tell us where to look for traffic and display the observations from ground-based Nexrad weather radar sites. One thing an EFB can’t do, though, is respond to questions you may have about your briefing.

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