ATT 205 - Operating Systems III, Infrared and Weather Radar

3 Credits, 3 Contact Hours
3 lecture periods 0 lab periods

Principles of infrared and weather radar systems operation and use by flight crews. Includes installation planning, electrical system requirements, typical mounting, wiring methods, connectors, and antenna installation. Also includes system integration, functional testing of Enhanced Vision Systems (EVS), Weather (Wx) Radar, and radio altimeter systems. Also includes safety training and the operation, installation, and troubleshooting of EVS systems.

Prerequisite(s): ATT 101  and ATT 102  
Information: Additional self-paced independent course study materials are required for non-certified Airframe and Powerplant students.

2.   Perform manual selection of input sources.

3.   Use industry terminology.

4.   Perform wave length to power input demonstrations.

5.   Identify hazards associated with radar.

6.   Discuss the signs and symptoms of radar’s energy exposure.

7.   Track and follow various levels of environmental concerns.

8.   Distinguish between variant mode types and functions.

9.   Interpret various weather system displays through the use of common symbology (disambiguation) common to radar systems.

10.  Perform functional operations checks and troubleshooting techniques.

         A.   Precipitation and radio frequencies (rf) energy

         B.   Propagation of rf wave

         C.   rf energy channeling

II.       Weather Radar Features and Controls

         A.   Frequency

         B.   Pulse width

         C.   Range resolution

         D.   Pulse repetition frequency

         E.   Power output

         F.   Beam width

         G.   Tilt and stabilization

         H.   Contour

         I.    Sensitivity time control

         J.   Automatic gain control

         K.   Display

         L.   Scanner

III.      Radar Components and Installation

         A.   Antenna

         B.   Elevation motor

         C.   Azimuth motor

         D.   Inertial reference

         E.   Duplexer

         F.   Microprocessor

         G.   Transmitter

         H.   Receiver

         I.    Symbol generator

         J.   Typical installations

         K.   System layout

         L.   Power requirements

         M.  Radomes

IV.     Doppler Radar Theory

         A.   Reflectivity

         B.   Doppler shift

V.      Radar Modes

         A.   Range

         B.   Azimuth

         C.   Cyclic

         D.   Mapping

         E.   Normal or standby

VI.     Radar Controls, Operations, Maintenance and Testing

         A.   Range switch

         B.   Off and standby

         C.   Function switch

         D.   Gain control

         E.   Test switch

         F.   Scanner stab switch

         G.   Tilt control

         H.   Intensity control

         I.    Freeze and Hold Switch

         J.   Erase and Trace Control

         K.   Range mark control

         L.   Azimuth marker switch

         M.  Target alert switch

         N.   Sector scan switch

         O.   Contrast control

         P.   Manual tune control

         Q.   Radar operation

               1.   Mapping

               2.   Drift indicator

               3.   Beacon interrogation

         R.   Maintenance and testing

               1.   Safety precautions

               2.   Condition and assembly

               3.   Ramp test equipment

               4.   Function checks

VII.    Storm Scopes

         A.   Operation theory

         B.   Operation modes

         C.   Comparison to typical radar

         D.   Installation

         E.   Function checks

         F.   Factors affecting radar performance

               1.   Meteorological targets

               2.   Minimum detectable signals

               3.   Atmospheric effects

VIII.    Radio Altimeter - Principles of Operation

         A.   Radar types

         B.   Equipment limitations

         C.   Integrated systems

         D.   Factors affecting performance

         E.   Signal interference

         F.   System Components

               1.   Antennas

               2.   Indicators

               3.   Transmitters

               4.   Controls

               5.   Input

         G.   Installations

               1.   Antenna mounting locations

               2.   Cockpit controls

               3.   Transmitters

         H.   Inspections and Function Checks

               1.   Monitoring equipment

               2.   Self-test features

               3.   Typical errors

IX.     Enhanced Vision Systems - Infrared Operational Theory

         A.   Light spectrums

         B.   System interpretations

         C.   System components

X.      Enhanced Vision Systems - Typical Systems and Installation Requirements

         A.   Heads Up Display (HUD)

         B.   Multifunction Display (MFD)

         C.   Cameras

         D.   Location of equipment

         E.   System interface

         F.   Installations

         G.   Certification issues

         H.   Overlay of information

Note:  This is an accelerated overview course. It is the responsibility of the student to use supplemental information on subjects that are not fully understood. At the instructor’s discretion, a student without a current “A” airframe certificate issued from the FAA in good standing will be required to review and test on supplemental material available (on CD-ROM) for check out from the Aviation Technology Center’s tool crib. Proof of current enrollment is required.