I realize there are towers with no radar access, however, typically, how far out on radar does a tower control see traffic? Is the information mosaic across platforms, or still display a single site?
Tower radar
- Thread starter Henning
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Velocity173
Depends on the system. Some have maps that go 10-60 miles out while others have maps that go 250 miles out. Targets at 250 miles will probably be dropped though because of saturation. We had BRITE Radar Alphanumeric Display System and had it set around 20 miles out. Distances vary by controller preference.
So you know basically at least five minutes out.
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Velocity173
Sure. I think most can go out 60 miles and get targets. I believe the ACD system can range out to 250 miles but I don't think they can get targets that far out.
There are like 5 different tower radar systems out there these days. They all have varying capabilities. I used the old BRANDS radar feed off the ASR-9 antenna. You could get primary out to 60 miles and secondary out to 240 miles. It had a maximum target restriction though so you couldn't really pick up a target 240 miles out.
Depends on how far out the local controller wants t look as well. 5 minutes is easily doable though.
Jmcmanna
Pre-takeoff checklist
When I was at SMO, it was zoomed out enough to see VNY, BUR, LAX, HHR, downtown LA, etc. I have been told by a controller at GYY when trying to coordinate an inbound that they weren't looking 10 miles out of their airspace....depends on the tower and even the controller.
Most tower displays are slaved from the overlying approach control and can be set up to see what approach sees.
Most tower displays are slaved from the overlying approach control and can be set up to see what approach sees.
roncachamp
Final Approach
How far can they see traffic or how far do they typically see traffic?
Example:
The GRB ASR is on the field and has a nominal range of 60 miles. That range is meaningless because the ARTS only processes targets within 55 miles. While the controllers in the tower cab have that full 55 mile range available they normally operate on a 20 mile range. There's just not a need to look further.
ATW tower gets radar data from the GRB ASR. The controllers there have the same coverage area of the ASR available to them, but KATW is about 22 miles southwest of KGRB. ATW controllers can see targets 77 miles northeast of KATW but only 33 miles to the southwest. That's not an issue as they have no need to see beyond about 20 miles.