L3 comminications Stormscope II Series Manual

®
Series II Weather Mapping System
Pilot’s Guide
for the
Model WX-1000
Stormscope
Series II Weather Mapping System
Pilot’s Guide
for the
Model WX-1000
Stormscope®

A
Stormscope
®
WX-1000 Pilot’s GuideA
Stormscope®System Advantages
Welcome
L-3 Avionics Systems, one of the world’s most experienced
companies in airborne thunderstorm avoidance instru-
ments, 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 system
will enable you to make better informed thunderstorm
avoidance decisions so you can fly more safely and with
greater confidence than ever before.
Convenient Features
The advanced, patented technology in your new Stormscope
system was developed over many years and is so unique,
so revolutionary, it surpasses all others. Here are some of
its features:
• Maps electrical discharges
• Operates in 25, 50, 100, and 200 nmi ranges
• Provides a 120° forward view and a 360° view of the
surrounding airspace
• Uses a high resolution 3-inch ATI CRT display
• Provides expansion capability for heading stabilization,
navaid, and EFIS options as described in this guide

© Copyright 2000, 2004, 2007
L-3 Communications Avionics Systems, Inc.
Stormscope
®
is a registered trademark of L-3 Communications A vionics S ystems, Inc.
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.
Series II Weather Mapping System
Pilot’s Guide
for the
Model WX-1000
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

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.”
Even a single discharge point may represent thunderstorm
activity and should be avoided.
page 4-1
page 4-1
WARNING
CAUTION
A
Stormscope
®
WX-1000 Pilot’s Guide
ii

Important Notice
This guide provides general information about the
operation of the WX-1000. This guide does not cover all
possible interconnections with all possible types and
numbers of alternate displays and customer-supplied
switches. Refer to your aircraft flight manual and flight
manual supplement for information specific to your
aircraft. If there is conflicting information between those
manuals and this pilot’s guide, your aircraft flight manual
and flight manual supplement take precedence over this
pilot’s guide.
Revision Highlights
This revision E of the pilot’s guide makes the following
changes:
• Move export statement to back page.
• Corrects minor typographical errors.
Revision Dof the pilot’s guide made the following
changes:
• Changes occurrences 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.
• Adds new processor part numbers to table 5-1.
• Corrects operating temperature ranges in tables 5-1 & 5-3.
• Increases typeface size and adds more white space.
Stormscope
®
WX-1000 Pilot’s Guide iii

Section Page
List of Illustrations ..............................vi
List of Tables ..................................... vii
Chapter 1, System Description ........... 1-1
General Description ............................................................... 1-1
Processor ............................................................................... 1-2
Antenna ................................................................................. 1-2
Display .................................................................................. 1-2
Functional Description .......................................................... 1-2
Model Definitions .................................................................. 1-4
Features ................................................................................. 1-6
Chapter 2, Storm Mapping Principles .. 2-1
Anatomy of a Thunderstorm ................................................... 2-1
Stages of a Thunderstorm ....................................................... 2-3
Storm Mapping Technology .................................................... 2-4
Chapter 3, Operation ........................ 3-1
Introduction .......................................................................... 3-1
Controls & Screen Elements ................................................... 3-1
Turn On the WX-1000 ........................................................... 3-3
Adjust the Screen Brightness ................................................... 3-4
Switch to a Weather View ....................................................... 3-5
Select the Range ..................................................................... 3-5
Clear All Discharge Points ...................................................... 3-6
Check the Status of the Continuous Self Test ........................... 3-7
Run the Operator-Initiated Self Test ........................................ 3-7
Use the Checklist Feature ....................................................... 3-8
Set the Date and Time .......................................................... 3-11
Time an Event ...................................................................... 3-11
Measure Elapsed Time ......................................................... 3-12
Turn Off the WX-1000 ......................................................... 3-13
Error Messages .................................................................... 3-13
Table of Contents
Stormscope
®
WX-1000 Pilot’s Guide v

Section Page
Table of Contents (continued)
Chapter 4, Weather Display Interpretation . 4-1
Introduction .......................................................................... 4-1
Typical Patterns ...................................................................... 4-2
Mapping Headings Past Thunderstorms.................................. 4-4
Special Patterns ...................................................................... 4-6
Chapter 5, Specifications .................. 5-1
Appendix A, Heading Stabilization Option . A-1
Applicable Models ................................................................. A-1
General Description .............................................................. A-1
Heading Options .................................................................. A-2
Heading Error Message ......................................................... A-3
Appendix B, Navaid Option ................. B-1
Applicable Models .................................................................. B-1
General Description ............................................................... B-1
Main Menu ........................................................................... B-3
Navaid Setup Screen .............................................................. B-3
Data Comm Errors ................................................................ B-6
Warning Message ................................................................... B-6
NAV FLAG ........................................................................... B-6
Appendix C, EFIS Option .................... C-1
Applicable Models ................................................................. C-1
General Description .............................................................. C-1
EFIS Thunderstorm Symbology ............................................. C-1
Stormscope
®
WX-1000 Pilot’s Guide
vi

List of Illustrations
Figure Title Page
1-1 WX-1000 Major Components ...................................................... 1-1
1-2 Display With 360° View ................................................................1-3
1-3 Display With 120° View ................................................................1-3
1-4 WX-1000 Functional Diagram ......................................................1-3
2-1 Electrical Discharges in Thunderstorms ......................................... 2-1
2-2 Discharge Rate a Function of Wind Shear .....................................2-2
3-1 Controls & Screen Elements ..........................................................3-1
3-2 System Test in Progress..................................................................3-3
3-3 All Tests Are OK ............................................................................3-4
3-4 MAIN MENU Screen .................................................................. 3-4
3-5 360° Weather View ....................................................................... 3-5
3-6 120° Weather View ....................................................................... 3-5
3-7 OPTIONS Screen ........................................................................3-7
3-8 WX-1000 Checklist Worksheet Sample ......................................... 3-8
3-9 CHECKLIST MENU Screen .......................................................3-9
3-10 A Checklist Screen ...................................................................... 3-10
3-11 Skipped Item .............................................................................. 3-10
3-12 Skipped Items ............................................................................. 3-10
3-13 TIME/DATE Screen .................................................................. 3-11
3-14 Error 01 ...................................................................................... 3-13
3-15 Error 44 ...................................................................................... 3-14
3-16 Error 46 ...................................................................................... 3-15
3-17 Mic Key Stuck ............................................................................ 3-15
4-1 Airspace Diagram .........................................................................4-1
4-2 Three Clusters Within 200 nmi ..................................................... 4-3
4-3 Range Changed to 100 nmi ........................................................... 4-3
4-4 Two Clusters Within 200 nmi ........................................................ 4-3
4-5 Range Set at 200 nmi .................................................................... 4-5
4-6 Aircraft Progresses 100 nmi ..........................................................4-5
4-7 Range Changes to 100 nmi ............................................................4-5
4-8 Aircraft Turns to Avoid Thunderstorms ..........................................4-5
4-9 Randomly Scattered Discharge Points ...........................................4-6
4-10 Cluster and Splattering Within 25 nmi ...........................................4-6
4-11 Discharge Points Off the Aircraft’s Nose ........................................4-7
Stormscope
®
WX-1000 Pilot’s Guide vii

5-1 WX-1000 Processor Specifications ................................................ 5-1
5-2 WX-1000 Display Specifications ................................................... 5-3
5-3 WX-1000 Antenna Specifications .................................................. 5-4
B-1 Navaid Data Item Abbreviations .................................................. B-4
Table Title Page
List of Tables
4-12 Line of Discharge Points While Taxiing .......................................... 4-7
4-13 Developing Cluster Within 25 nmi ................................................ 4-8
4-14 Split Image Off Nose of Aircraft .................................................... 4-8
A-1 Heading Display at Top of Screen ................................................. A-2
A-2 Heading Flag at Top of Screen ...................................................... A-2
A-3 OPTIONS Screen With Heading Stabilization ............................. A-3
A-4 Error 11 ....................................................................................... A-3
B-1 Typical Weather View Screen With the Navaid Option.................. B-2
B-2 MAIN MENU w/Navaid ............................................................ B-3
B-3 OPTIONS Screen w/Navaid ....................................................... B-3
B-4 Navaid Setup Screen .................................................................... B-3
B-5 Error 13 ....................................................................................... B-6
B-6 Warning Messages ....................................................................... B-6
B-7 NAV FLAG ................................................................................. B-6
Figure Title Page
List of Illustrations (continued)
Stormscope
®
WX-1000 Pilot’s Guide
viii

1-1
Stormscope® WX-1000 Pilot’s Guide 1-1
General Description
The Stormscope®Series II Weather Mapping System, model
WX-1000 (figure 1-1) detects electrical discharges from
thunderstorms up to 200 nautical miles away and displays
the thunderstorm locations relative to your aircraft. The
WX-1000 also provides checklists and timing functions.
Figure 1-1. WX-1000 Major Components
Processor
Antenna
Display
System Description
Chapter 1

Stormscope® WX-1000 Pilot’s Guide
1-2
Chapter 1 – System Description
The WX-1000 is a passive system so there is no transmitter
and no harmful transmissions. The system operates as well
on the ground as in the air, thereby giving the pilot impor-
tant planning information before takeoff.
Processor
This compact, tray-mounted computer processor receives
electrical discharge information from the antenna, processes
it to determine range and azimuth, then forwards the
information for presentation on the cockpit display. The
processor may be installed almost anywhere in the aircraft.
Antenna
This combined loop and sense antenna is sealed in an
aerodynamic flat-pack and mounted on the outside of the
aircraft where it detects electrical discharges associated with
thunderstorms. The antenna is available in black or white.
Display
The display (figures 1-2 and 1-3) is a self-contained, 3-ATI-
sized unit with a high resolution, green monochrome
Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) display. The bezel contains four
momentary contact push-button switches and an on/off/
brightness knob. The display provides control and display
functions for the processor. The display’s bezel is available in
black or gray. The display is not required if you have the
EFIS option. (See appendix C.)
Functional Description
Figure 1-4 and the following paragraphs describe how the
major components of the WX-1000 connect to each other
and to other aircraft systems.
The antenna detects the electric and magnetic fields gener-
ated by intra-cloud, inter-cloud, or cloud-to-ground electri-
cal discharges that occur within a 200 nmi radius of the
aircraft and sends the resulting “discharge signals” to the
processor. The processor digitizes, analyzes, and converts the
Major Components

1-3
Stormscope® WX-1000 Pilot’s Guide 1-3
Chapter 1 – System Description
Figure 1-2. Display With 360°
MENU
CLEAR
120°
25
200 nm
BRT
OFF
MENU
CLEAR
25
360°
200 nm
BRT
OFF
Figure 1-3. Display With 120°
Discharge Signals
Display Signals
Control Signals
Test Strike
Control
Heading
Input*
Navaid
Input*
*Optional
Display
Output
to EFIS*
Processor
Fault Line
to EFIS*
±15 V dc
±12 V dc
External
Clear
Input*
Comm
Mic
Inhibit
MENU
CLEAR
120°
25
++
+
+
+
+
+
+
++
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+++++
+++++++
+++ ++
+++
+
++
+++
+
+
+
+
++
+
++
+
+
+
++
+
+
++
+
+
+
+
+
+
++
++++
++
++
+++
++
+
+
200 nm
BRT
OFF
Display
Stormscope
®
Model WX-1000
Power
Input
11–32 V dc
Heading
Valid
Input*
Electromagnetic Signals Radiating from
Atmospheric Electrical Discharges
Associated with Thunderstorms
Processor
Antenna
Figure 1-4. WX-1000 Functional Diagram
Functional Description

Stormscope® WX-1000 Pilot’s Guide
1-4
Chapter 1 – System Description
discharge signals into range and bearing data then stores the
data in memory. The WX-1000 then displays discharges as
storm cells as described in the next paragraph.
The WX-1000 plots a “+” symbol (discharge point) on the
display when it detects associated discharges within the
selected range and view. The processor will plot another “+”
close to the first for each additional discharge determined to
be associated with the group. The processor will not plot a
“+” for any discharge not associated with a group unless it’s
detected within a 25 nmi radius of the aircraft. The effect of
this clustering algorithm is to display the location of storm
cells instead of individual discharges. This “cell display
mode” is most useful during periods of heavy electrical
discharge activity and frees the pilot from sifting through a
screen full of discharge points to determine exactly where
the storm cells are located.
Model Definitions
This guide covers all variations of the WX-1000 model as
listed below. Options only available on certain models are
described in appendices A, B, and C.
WX-1000
WX-1000 is the base model
WX-1000+
WX-1000+ is the base model plus heading stabilization to
accurately display discharge points relative to the “own aircraft”
symbol in the middle of the screen as you make a turn.
WX-1000E (232/422 Navaid)
This is the base model plus:
• Heading stabilization
• Display of navigation data from discrete inputs (RS232/
RS422)
Model Definitions

1-5
Stormscope® WX-1000 Pilot’s Guide 1-5
Chapter 1 – System Description
WX-1000E (429 Navaid)
This is the base model plus:
• Heading stabilization
• Display of navigation data from ARINC 429 bus inputs
WX-1000E (429 EFIS)
This is the base model plus:
• Heading stabilization
• Display output to an EFIS display unit via ARINC 429
bus outputs, or to a radar indicator via the L-3 Radar
Graphics Computer (RGC). The EFIS display unit or
RGC/radar indicator can be in place of the standard
WX-1000 display, or in addition to the WX-1000 display.
“E” Models
Installing a 232/422 navaid option, a 429 navaid option, or a
429 EFIS option into a WX-1000+ turns the system into a
WX-1000E. Only one of the three options can be present at
any given time inside the processor.
Determining the Unit’s Model Number & Options
You can determine your unit’s detailed model number and
installed options by getting the part number from the tag on
the back of the processor and looking up the corresponding
part number definition in table 5-1. If you don’t have easy
access to the rear of the processor, you can determine the
general model number and installed options by observing
the display as follows:
•If no heading is displayed at the top of the weather
screens, then you probably have a
WX-1000 .
• If a heading is displayed at the top of the weather
screens, but no graphical course deviation indicator is
displayed near the bottom of the weather screens, then
you have a
WX-1000+ .
• If a graphical course deviation indicator is displayed
near the bottom of the weather screens, then you have a
WX-1000E (232/422 Navaid) , or a WX-1000E
(429 Navaid)
.
Model Definitions

Stormscope® WX-1000 Pilot’s Guide
1-6
Chapter 1 – System Description
• If you have Stormscope options available on your EFIS
display or on your weather radar indicator, then you
have a
WX-1000E (429 EFIS) .
This guide will hereafter use the term “WX-1000” to refer to all
variations of the WX-1000 model unless otherwise indicated.
Features
• Four weather ranges: 25, 50, 100, and 200 nmi
• Two weather views: 120° forward view, and 360° view
• Three types of self test: power-up, continuous, and opera-
tor-initiated
• Local and remote clear – allows operator to clear displayed
discharge points using a button on the front of the WX-
1000 display or from a remotely-mounted “clear screen”
button (not supplied)
• Mic inhibit – inhibits thunderstorm processing when the
communications transmitter is keyed to prevent the
processing of corrupted data (some aircraft need to use this
feature, others don’t)
• Power/brightness control – allows operator to adjust the CRT
brightness and to turn the WX-1000 on and off
• Four buttons – these function keys perform various
functions depending on what mode the WX-1000 is in and
what screen is being displayed. This variability allows for
flexibility and future expansion.
• Cell display mode – allows you to view groups of dis-
charges (cells)
• Six dealer-programmable checklists, each containing a
maximum of 30 lines with up to 20 characters each
• Real-time digital clock display for time, day, and date
• Stopwatch timer function
• Elapsed time counter function
• Expandable – includes an expansion board slot for adding
options such as heading stabilization, navaid display, &
output to an EFIS (all options are described in the appendices)
Features

1-1
Stormscope® WX-1000 Pilot’s Guide 2-1
Anatomy of a Thunderstorm
The WX-1000 is intended to help pilots avoid the dangers
associated with thunderstorms (convective wind shear,
lightning, icing, tornadoes, etc.). The WX-1000 locates
thunderstorms by detecting the electrical discharges that
thunderstorms always generate. Figure 2-1 shows how
thunderstorms create electrical discharges and radiate
electromagnetic signals.
a. The convective flow of air currents (warm air going up
and cold air going down) leads to friction between the
opposing air currents and wind shear in the space
between the opposing air currents. The closer together
the opposing air currents are, the greater the shearing
force of the air currents.
Warm Air Mass
Cold Air Mass
Warm Air Mass
Cold Air Mass
1
0
0
n
m
i
20
0
n
mi
abbc d
Figure 2-1. Electrical Discharges in Thunderstorms
Storm Mapping
Principles
Chapter 2

Stormscope® WX-1000 Pilot’s Guide
2-2
Chapter 2 – Storm Mapping Principles
b.The friction between the opposing air currents causes
electrical charges in the area to separate. As positive (+)
and negative (–) electrical charges are separated, they
accumulate in masses of similar charges (positive
charges near the top of the cloud and negative charges
near the bottom).
c. Electrical discharges occur as the accumulated masses
of separated positive and negative charges attempt to
rejoin. These discharges continue to occur repetitively
as long as the convective wind shear persists. A few of
the discharges are visible as lightning, but most electri-
cal discharges occur within a cloud or between clouds
and are hidden by those clouds. Only a small percent-
age of discharges occurs between the clouds and the
ground. Cloud to ground lightning occurs when the
negatively charged lower part of a cloud induces a
positive charge on an object on the ground. The
immense charge separation finally breaks down the
insulating air and a discharge occurs dumping negative
charge from the cloud onto the object and the sur-
rounding ground.
d.All electrical discharges radiate electromagnetic signals
in all directions close to the speed of light. The electro-
magnetic signals have unique characteristics and
varying rates of recurrence and signal strength.
Figure 2-2 shows that the rate of electrical discharges de-
tected in an area is directly related to the amount of convec-
Light Moderate
Increasing Turbulence Due to Convective Wind Shear
Increasing Rate of
Electrical Discharges
Severe
Figure 2-2. Discharge Rate a Function of Wind Shear
Anatomy of a Thunderstorm

1-3
Stormscope® WX-1000 Pilot’s Guide 2-3
Chapter 2 – Storm Mapping Principles
tive wind shear turbulence present. In fact, as convective wind
shear increases, the rate of electrical discharges increases at an
increasing rate. This relationship means that if you find the
electrical discharges, you’ve found the wind shear.
Stages of a Thunderstorm
All thunderstorms begin as cumulus clouds, build to an
intense mature stage, and finally dissipate. Each of these
stages in the life of a thunderstorm present a different set of
dangers to aircraft. The WX-1000 maps all stages in the life
of a thunderstorm so that you won’t be caught unaware by a
thunderstorm that can build, mature, and dissipate in as
little as 20 minutes.
Cumulus Stage
The cumulus or beginning stage of a thunderstorm is usually
precipitation free. In this stage, the risks to an aircraft and
its occupants include strong vertical winds, severe turbu-
lence, icing, and convective wind shear.
Mature Stage
In the mature and most intense stage of a thunderstorm, the
water droplets within the cloud collide and combine to form
rain and hail and, at cooler temperatures, sleet and snow. This
stage poses many hazards to aircraft including heavy precipita-
tion, high winds, convective wind shear, severe turbulence,
downbursts, hail, icing, tornadoes, and lightning.
Dissipating Stage
In the dissipating stage, the updraft weakens and at the same
time, the convective wind shear and other hazardous condi-
tions begin to subside. There may be high rainfall rates in
this stage, but the severe dangers are diminishing.
Stages of a Thunderstorm

Stormscope® WX-1000 Pilot’s Guide
2-4
Chapter 2 – Storm Mapping Principles
Storm Mapping Technology
The WX-1000 & Weather Radar
The storm mapping technology used in the WX-1000 is
fundamentally different than the technology used in weather
radar. Weather radar operates by transmitting UHF radio
waves in the direction of interest and then receiving echoes
from water droplets, whereas the WX-1000 operates by
receiving signals already present in the atmosphere due to
electrical discharges. The WX-1000 analyzes the unique
characteristics of these signals, their signal strength, and
their varying rates of recurrence to determine the location
and intensity of the thunderstorms that generated the
discharges. The WX-1000 can receive radiated electromag-
netic signals from electrical discharges up to 200 nmi away.
One disadvantage of weather radar is that the cumulus stage
of a thunderstorm (usually precipitation free) is unlikely to
appear on weather radar; however, it generally does contain
electrical discharges which will appear on your WX-1000
display as a light but increasing cluster of discharge points.
Another disadvantage of weather radar is that due to attenu-
ation, it may not see the “storm behind the storm” or may
understate its intensity. Your WX-1000 is not subject to
attenuation. With the WX-1000, electrical discharges are
mapped throughout the storm area. The size of the cluster of
discharge points on your WX-1000 indicates the size of the
storm area. The speed with which the discharge points
appear indicates the intensity of the storm regardless of the
size of the cluster. The more intense the storm, the faster the
discharge points reappear.
Automatic Updating
The WX-1000 receives and processes electrical discharge
information continuously and updates the screen as needed,
which may be many times every second. Even though the
electromagnetic signals from electrical discharges are of very
short duration, the WX-1000 stores the resulting discharge
points in memory and displays each point for a maximum of 2
minutes before it is erased from the screen and from memory.
Storm Mapping Technology