MD-80 WX Radar

[DHPFLYN]

Just curious how well your radar works. I was checking out some flights leaving DFW tonight and noticed almost all the MD-80's were going straight through the weather. Most of the other aircraft were going either north or south of it before heading out west. Just curious if the MD80 radar is that good? Or they just don't want to fly around it?

The line looks pretty nasty, tops of FL450-550. Sure doesn't look like anything fun to fly through. Like I said just curious how well that radar works for finding holes.

 

[nwaredtail]

Just curious how well your radar works. I was checking out some flights leaving DFW tonight and noticed almost all the MD-80's were going straight through the weather. Most of the other aircraft were going either north or south of it before heading out west. Just curious if the MD80 radar is that good? Or they just don't want to fly around it?

The line looks pretty nasty, tops of FL450-550. Sure doesn't look like anything fun to fly through. Like I said just curious how well that radar works for finding holes.

I'm sure they just all "flew right through it". Didn't you see the news coverage on channel YOUR A MORON tonight? Wreckage spewed all over central TX as the inept AA pilots disregarded personal safety, years of training, company and Faa guidelines and became test pilots.

 

[PeanuckleCRJ]

Flightaware is very innacurate with time lag.

 

[whatitdoing?]

Just curious how well your radar works. I was checking out some flights leaving DFW tonight and noticed almost all the MD-80's were going straight through the weather. Most of the other aircraft were going either north or south of it before heading out west. Just curious if the MD80 radar is that good? Or they just don't want to fly around it?

The line looks pretty nasty, tops of FL450-550. Sure doesn't look like anything fun to fly through. Like I said just curious how well that radar works for finding holes.

And the award goes to...........????

 

[Flopgut]

I prefered the MD80 radar to the NG 737 equipment. Both are very good, but in a scenario like you describe I would say that the MD80s were doing that because they were actually getting a better look at the wx and found a hole.

 

[TWA Dude]

Remember the old commuter credo?: Don't be Late, Penetrate. AA's just a big commuter airline.

{in jest}

 

[glasspilot1]

Ya, just like Southern Airways in the '70's.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Airways_Flight_242

 

[DHPFLYN]

I'm sure they just all "flew right through it". Didn't you see the news coverage on channel YOUR A MORON tonight? Wreckage spewed all over central TX as the inept AA pilots disregarded personal safety, years of training, company and Faa guidelines and became test pilots.

Why taking it so personal? Look at the flight track. It was just a question. Most went around except for the MD80's. I am not bashing crews or arlines just asking about the radar. I do live in Texas and did see that line and is why I am asking.

 

[Dizel8]

Douglas airplanes are built to take it!

 

[Whataburger]

Bunch of cowboys I tell ya.

 

[ATA For Now!]

Boeing builds airplanes....McDonnel Douglas builds CHARACTER!

 

[DrewBlows]

I prefered the MD80 radar to the NG 737 equipment. Both are very good, but in a scenario like you describe I would say that the MD80s were doing that because they were actually getting a better look at the wx and found a hole.

I was thinking the same thing. I've only used low wattage "modern radar" and am not impressed. It doesn't seem to discriminate well between levels of precipitation. The result is we go around everything because we can't tell what is convective and what is harmless. I'm not saying this is bad policy, just that I understand why an MD-80 (assuming it has a more powerful radar) would go through a line that I wouldn't.

 

[Flopgut]

I was thinking the same thing. I've only used low wattage "modern radar" and am not impressed. It doesn't seem to discriminate well between levels of precipitation. The result is we go around everything because we can't tell what is convective and what is harmless. I'm not saying this is bad policy, just that I understand why an MD-80 (assuming it has a more powerful radar) would go through a line that I wouldn't.

One thing that goes with "modern radar": generally you've got a real nice FMC with fixes and routing that you can overlay with wx radar. That additional SA [perhaps] helps a pilot make a better decision on what doesn't need to be flown through. As opposed to the MD80 I flew that only had two VORs and an ADF?! We just got throught the wx and then asked for direct something.

 

[Jeff Helgeson]

Bunch of cowboys I tell ya.

Yeah, and they taxi way too fast.

You make funny joke, you funny guy!!!

 

[Whataburger]

Yeah, and they taxi way too fast.

No sh!t.
I saw one taxiing in AUS the other day at 10 kts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Quimby]

Why check the weather? We're going anyway.