Trivia: Runway Radar Reflectors?

[KnowledgeSeeker]

Anyone know what the runway radar reflectors mean on the airport diagram sketch for approach plates? Symbolized by two triangles touching at their point on the NOS plates.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

dont know much about NOS plates (or anything else for that matter)

but maybe those symbolize RVR units for the particular runway?


then again...read below for my opinion.....

 

[firstthird]

I'm pretty sure they are from an old type of approach where a navigator could use the onboard aircraft radar to line a plane up on the approach. I think my old TACCO told some stories about having to do that in his navigator training, presumably the minimums were outrageously high so nobody does them anymore? maybe someone with actual experience in said subject matter can enlighten us about how sucky it was back in the 'good ole days.'

 

[TonyC]

ARDA-Airborne Radar Directed Approaches

I'm pretty sure they are from an old type of approach where a navigator could use the onboard aircraft radar to line a plane up on the approach.

Y'all don't/didn't do those in P-3's?!?! Besides, who are you calling OLD?!?!?

In my former life (and it wasn't THAT long ago)... we practiced 'em all the time. The Nav, using the onboard RADAR (which was designed for navigation, not weather avoidance), could direct an approach with precision as good as an ASR. Mind you, all he had at his disposal was the airport diagram, the Nav RADAR, and a published approach to "overlay." He could break out the airport and runway based on the position of buildings and other terrain features alone. (He could break out the engines on the tanker, too -- tell the difference between a KC-135A, E, & R from a mile or so away.) The Radar reflectors mentioned in the original post were installed at a few airports to make the task a little less difficult. Based on his RADAR picture, he gave steering commands to follow an approach course, and distance to runway with corresponding recommended altitudes.

All that practice was designed to prepare us for a situation where we might have to land at a remote field in less than perfect weather conditions with no operable instrument aids to navigation. I'm convinced a proficient Navigator could have taken us down to 100' AGL on centerline in a safe position to land. But then, I'm not sure the Air Force today believes in having proficient Navs.

 

[KnowledgeSeeker]

Thanks TonyC,

I am bonin' up for an interview and my friend was trying to stump me on approach plates. He asked me about those radar reflectors and I can't say I knew what they were there for (except knowing what the symbol looked like). Thanks again.

 

[JimNtexas]

In the mighty F-111 the navigator could place the radar cursor on the runway, dial in a glideslope angle, and the [strike] monkey could follow the banana[/strike] the pilot could follow flight director cues to the runway, just like an ILS.

 

[Redtailer]

NOS

Not trying to be funny or anything Knowledgeseeker, but who uses NOS plates anymore?

If you are going for an interview, unless it is gov't or a very obscure (cheap) operator, you will need to study the Jeppesen plates. They won't care how well you can read a NOS plate.

Just trying to help...

 

[KnowledgeSeeker]

Redtailer,

Yes you are right no self respecting airline uses anything but jepp's. And I am getting them back into my head after not using them for awhile. Just happened that my friend asked me the question about the NOS that i didn't know.

As for no one using NOS you would have to come out to Hawaii. Every flight school and most low level flying gigs use nos. Part of the reason may be that the AFD for the hawaiian islands actually comes with all the hawaiian approach plates (FAA-nos) printed in the same book. Mostly, though, i am sure it is just people being cheap.

 

[Flymach2]

Hi...

Runway Radar Reflectors are not only depicted in NOS plates, but they are also on some airport diagrams in the back of the A/FD.

Regards

 

[U-I pilot]

Not trying to be funny or anything Knowledgeseeker, but who uses NOS plates anymore?

Our entire flight training department thats who. I have seen Jepp approach plates but never really was taught all the differences and where to look for the information. I know everyone who uses them loves them.....
Anyone know a place you can download sample jepp plates similar to AOPA's site for NOS plates? it might help me learn them on my own.
-thanks