L3 comminications Series II User manual

Model WX-500
Series II Weather Mapping Sensor
®
User’s Guide
for the
Stormscope
Series II Weather Mapping Sensor
User’s Guide
for the
Model WX-500
Stormscope®

A
Stormscope
®
WX-500 User’s Guide
A
Stormscope® System Advantages
Welcome
L-3 Avionics Systems, one of the world’s most experienced
companies in airborne thunderstorm avoidance instruments,
is pleased to welcome you to the family of tens of thousands
of pilots who are enjoying the benefits of safer flight with a
Stormscope®weather mapping system.
The Original
Don’t be fooled by Stormscope system look-alikes. There is
only one Stormscope system, and only one company that
makes the Stormscope line of weather mapping systems. The
Stormscope system, the original, most accurate weather
mapping system is manufactured by L-3 Avionics Systems.
Fly with Greater Confidence
You now own one of the leading instruments in the world
for airborne detection and mapping of thunderstorms.
Unlike any other product, your new Stormscope sensor will
enable you to make better informed thunderstorm avoidance
decisions so you can fly more safely and with greater confi-
dence than ever before.
Convenient Features
The advanced, patented technology in your new Stormscope
sensor was developed over many years and is so unique, so
revolutionary, it surpasses all others. Here are some of its
features:
• Precisely maps electrical discharges up to 200 nmi away
• Provides for a 120° forward view and a 360° view of the
surrounding airspace
• Outputs both cell and strike data

© Copyright 1997, 2001, 2003
L-3 Communications Avionics Systems, Inc.
Stormscope
®
is a registered trademark of L-3 C ommunications A vionics S ystems, I nc.
The white
L3 in a circle design logo is a trademark of L-3 C ommunications C orporation.
Designed and manufactured in the United States of America by
Methods and apparatus disclosed and described herein have been developed solely on company funds
of L-3 Communications Avionics Systems, Inc. No government or other contractual support or rela-
tionship whatsoever has existed which in any way affects or mitigates proprietary rights of L-3 Commu-
nications Avionics Systems, Inc. in these developments. Methods and apparatus disclosed herein may
be subject to U.S. Patents existing or applied for. L-3 Communications Avionics Systems, Inc. reserves
the right to add, improve, modify, or withdraw functions, design modifications, or products at any time
without notice.
User’s Guide
for the
Stormscope®
L-3 Communications Avionics Systems, Inc.
5353 52nd Street, S.E.
Grand Rapids, MI 49512 USA
[phone] or [phone]
Fax [phone]
www.L-3com.com/as
Series II Weather Mapping Sensor
Model WX-500

Safety Summary
These warnings and cautions appear later in this guide and
are repeated here for emphasis:
Never use your Stormscope system to attempt to penetrate a
thunderstorm. The FAA Advisory Circular, Subject: Thunder-
storms, and the Airman’s Information Manual (AIM) recom-
mend that you “avoid by at least 20 miles any thunderstorm
identified as severe or giving an intense radar echo.”
There are several atmospheric phenomena other than nearby
thunderstorms which can cause isolated discharge points in the
strike display mode. Clusters of two or more discharge points in
the strike display mode however do indicate thunderstorm
activity when they reappear after clearing the screen. Avoid the
clusters and you’ll avoid the thunderstorms. In the cell display
mode, even a single discharge point may represent thunderstorm
activity and should be avoided.
page 4-1
page 4-1
WARNING
CAUTION
A
Stormscope
®
WX-500 User’s Guide
ii

Important Notice
All Stormscope®WX-500 functions are controlled through
various Multi-Function Displays (MFDs). The many capabili-
ties of the WX-500 allow MFD manufacturers to create
screens compatible with the various functions of their
display. The display screens illustrated in this guide are
intended to be characteristic of a group of MFDs that are
configured to work with the WX-500. The examples are
intended to assist the pilot in interpreting lightning data
output by the WX-500. Each MFD shows the information
consistent with the capabilities of that particular display.
Revision Highlights
This revision Cof the user’s guide makes the following changes:
• Changes occurences of “Goodrich Avionics Systems” to
“L-3 Communications Avionics Systems, Inc.” or just “L-3
Avionics Systems” and makes related company contact
information changes. (On March 28, 2003, Goodrich
Corporation sold its Avionics Systems division to L-3
Communications Corporation.)
• Eliminates the Warranty Information chapter. Warranty
information is now provided on a separate warranty card.
• Increases typeface size and adds more white space.
• Edits text for improved readability.
Stormscope
®
WX-500 User’s Guide iii