STORM AVOIDANCE

Three systems come to mind when considering storm avoidance in today’s general aviation aircraft. There are stormscopes (WX-500,WX-1000, WX-950, and WX-900), strikefinder, and radar.

STORMSCOPES

Stormscopes are ultra sensitive receivers set up to display electrical discharges. When a lightening bolt releases it's energy it sends out a signal at a frequency that the stormscope is set up to receive. It then measures that signal for strength and duration in order to display proper distance information. The antenna (usually mounted on the bottom of the aircraft) has coils that cross each other at a 90-degree angle. When a strike is received the antenna senses the direction by feeling which part of the coil had the strongest pulse. The WX-900 uses a LCD (liquid crystal display) type display. The WX-1000 and WX-950 use CRT (cathode rat tube) type displays.The WX-500 doesn't come with a display, it sends it's information to a moving map typically.

STRIKEFINDER

Essentially this is the same system as the stormscopes only using a planar gas discharge display. It is so close to the stormscopes that Insight (the manufacturer of the Strikefinder) was sued at one time.

RADAR

Now here is a horse of a different color. This system works by transmitting a high powered signal and listening for its signal to return after bouncing off a rain cloud. Because this system is comprised of a receiver and transmitter it draws a considerable amount of power from your aircraft. Repair costs are often very high and needed more often than in stormscope.

MY PICK

Of course this is only an opinion. Go with the Strikefinder. Why? Well lets start with some ball park prices installed. WX-900 $3800, Strikefinder $4400, WX-950 $7500, WX-1000 $10,000, WX-500 $5675 (no display included).

Drawbacks:

*WX-900: cheap LCD screen, 100-mile range. If you can have it installed right in front of you the LCD screen may be tolerable but if it's at an angle forget it. No ability to be slaved to an HSI. (Great price)

*STRIKE FINDER: great display but not as good as a CRT. Yes it will slave to HSI.(Ok price)

*WX-950: great display. Yes it will slave to HSI. (A little pricey for the average single engine aircraft)

*WX-1000: What a beauty. Slaving depends on wheather it's a WX1000+. (Lots of money. $10,000 plus)

*RADAR: Rain never killed anyone that I know of. I want to stay away from storms and severe turbulence. The cheapest new systems would cost in excess of $15,000.

Got questions? E-mail me at jts7@mindspring.com.

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