Which airports have radar?

Jim_R

Jim_R

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Jim
I'm guessing I'm going to end up on some terrorist watch list just for asking this question, but is there any list of airports that have (or are served by) ASR-11 radar?

I'm thinking of taking advantage of some crummy-but-not-too-crummy weather this morning to go shoot some practice approaches in IMC, and there are two airports I'm considering. I know one does not have local radar coverage, but I don't know about the other.

I don't know that I'd necessarily make a decision about which one to go to based on radar coverage...but I might.
 
You could try using google maps to see if you can find an ASR-11 (or the like)?
 
Jim_R said:
I'm guessing I'm going to end up on some terrorist watch list just for asking this question, but is there any list of airports that have (or are served by) ASR-11 radar?

I'm thinking of taking advantage of some crummy-but-not-too-crummy weather this morning to go shoot some practice approaches in IMC, and there are two airports I'm considering. I know one does not have local radar coverage, but I don't know about the other.

I don't know that I'd necessarily make a decision about which one to go to based on radar coverage...but I might.
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Why specifically ASR-11?
 
roncachamp said:
Why specifically ASR-11?
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He likes Raytheon (or dislikes NorthropGrumman)?

Found a list of all the radar installations in the US, but it's from 2002 so not too timely.
 
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I can't figure out why an ASR-11 antenna is going to affect your ability to shoot some practice approaches....inquiring minds want to know.

The only thing I can think of is if you wanted to do ASR approaches, but you'd be looking for airports with an ASR-7 antenna located on the field.
 
Haha. I shouldn't have been so specific. All I meant to ask was, "is there a way to tell if a towered field has radar in the cab or not?"

Just thinking about if I made a total mistake in the clouds, turning the wrong way or busting an altitude assignment, or whatever...or if another guy did...it might be nice if the guy in the cab could see that on radar and tell me about it.

Like I said in my OP, I dunno if I'd actually make a choice on where to practice based on that. But it got me thinking that I don't know of a way to tell which airports have radar and which don't, and I was just curious if that was listed somewhere.
 
Jmcmanna said:
I can't figure out why an ASR-11 antenna is going to affect your ability to shoot some practice approaches....inquiring minds want to know.

The only thing I can think of is if you wanted to do ASR approaches, but you'd be looking for airports with an ASR-7 antenna located on the field.
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If he wants ASR approaches he should look in the TPP for airports with Radar Instrument Approach Minimums.
 
Jim_R said:
Haha. I shouldn't have been so specific. All I meant to ask was, "is there a way to tell if a towered field has radar in the cab or not?"
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Sure. Call the tower and ask. That's the one sure way that will work with any control tower.
 
Very few control towers in the US don't have a radar display. Unless you're in the mountains at a remote airfield somewhere under a non-radar approach control, the tower probably has a radar display. In the rare instance that a tower doesn't have a radar display, the radar approach controller will issue safety alerts through the tower controller if they become necessary.
 
roncachamp said:
If he wants ASR approaches he should look in the TPP for airports with Radar Instrument Approach Minimums.
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This would be your best bet. You can still be accommodated with radar control for every other approach (unless you are in Aspen or someplace without radar coverage.

Jmcmanna said:
Very few control towers in the US don't have a radar display. Unless you're in the mountains at a remote airfield somewhere under a non-radar approach control, the tower probably has a radar display. In the rare instance that a tower doesn't have a radar display, the radar approach controller will issue safety alerts through the tower controller if they become necessary.
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When I flew in the midwest, and down south there were only a handful of Class D airports with radar. If they did, they were either in a TRSA, or they were Class C & B airports.
 
I can think of many class D airports across the upper midwest that have a radar display in the tower. If the airport underlies a radar approach control facility (ATW/MWC/UGN/GYY, etc...) it more than likely has a tower radar display. Airports that have a control tower but don't have an overlying approach control are less likely to have a radar display in the tower, but many still do.

I don't know of any for sure that don't have a display in the tower (although I know there are some, somewhere), but I can think of several dozen that do.
 
Jim_R said:
Haha. I shouldn't have been so specific. All I meant to ask was, "is there a way to tell if a towered field has radar in the cab or not?"

Just thinking about if I made a total mistake in the clouds, turning the wrong way or busting an altitude assignment, or whatever...or if another guy did...it might be nice if the guy in the cab could see that on radar and tell me about it.

Like I said in my OP, I dunno if I'd actually make a choice on where to practice based on that. But it got me thinking that I don't know of a way to tell which airports have radar and which don't, and I was just curious if that was listed somewhere.
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I think I am over simplifying it but couldn't you look on a VFR sectional for facilities near you with radar according to the rings? Like a class D facility showing small dashes and TRSA (thick rings) solid rings. Maybe I dont understand the question :dunno:
 
Jim_R said:
Haha. I shouldn't have been so specific. All I meant to ask was, "is there a way to tell if a towered field has radar in the cab or not?"
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Why do you care if they have RADAR in the cab or not? The capability of getting radar approach services has squat to do with BRITE installations.
]
 
Our Local Class D towers have BRIGHT displays in the cab from Local overlying Class B.
Our Class B is split between Civil FAA and Military.

If you are coming from the Civil Side, the Class D has your call sign and location passed on the BRIGHT display and they know where you are when you call.
If coming from the Military side, the data is not (was not, but may now) passed to the tower and you needed to give your location on check in.

The Class D tower can not apply "radar control or seperation" from the BRIGHt display, it is only for situational awareness.
 
Jim_R said:
I'm guessing I'm going to end up on some terrorist watch list just for asking this question, but is there any list of airports that have (or are served by) ASR-11 radar?
Click to expand...

Just stay away from the antenna unless you want to be cooked. Well, that might take care of a potential terrorist.... SO have at it!!! :D :rofl:

If you want radar coverage for ASR just do what the other guys have suggested. Besides that, just find an airport nearby with the approaches you want to practice and have fun.

If you can find a nearby military base with PAR capabilities, ask ATC if you can go shoot one. Those are a blast to fly. Sometimes if the base isn't busy and/or a controller needs a ASR/PAR for currency they will let you shoot one.
 
I asked this same question while doing my IFR rating. The conclusion was, as someone else said, to look at the VFR sectional... as much sense as that makes. The Tower Frequency menu will list ASR/PAR.
 
Jmcmanna said:
Very few control towers in the US don't have a radar display. Unless you're in the mountains at a remote airfield somewhere under a non-radar approach control, the tower probably has a radar display. In the rare instance that a tower doesn't have a radar display, the radar approach controller will issue safety alerts through the tower controller if they become necessary.
Click to expand...

I knew of three total a few years back. Two non radar approach controls one being Twin Falls Idaho and one tower with no CTRD at Lafayette, Indiana with maybe a second no CTRD FAA facility.
 
Jmcmanna said:
Very few control towers in the US don't have a radar display. Unless you're in the mountains at a remote airfield somewhere under a non-radar approach control, the tower probably has a radar display.
Click to expand...

My local class D (KCGI) doesn't. Frederick, MD doesn't and that was instrumental in the chopper and Cirrus getting together in the pattern.

It's my understanding that a lot of class Ds don't.

I wonder if there's any data available that would tell us.
 
timwinters said:
My local class D (KCGI) doesn't. Frederick, MD doesn't and that was instrumental in the chopper and Cirrus getting together in the pattern.

It's my understanding that a lot of class Ds don't.

I wonder if there's any data available that would tell us.
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There are towers situated where there is no radar site that could provide any useful information to them. If targets cannot be seen below 3000' AGL or so there is no point in putting a scope in the tower.

About twenty years ago the airport manager of Central Wisconsin Airport received an award from the state for providing the control tower with radar. The radar was Navy surplus, came off a destroyer IIRC. There was no interface with ZMP center so no data was provided on incoming aircraft. I didn't see it during the brief period it was in service but I did speak with the tower manager after it was gone. He told me it was absolutely useless due to ground clutter. Apparently, radar designed for surface ships doesn't work too well on land. Go figure. The FCC forced it to be shut down, they never bothered to obtain any broadcast license.
 
It's BRITE (now d-BRITE) Bright Radar Indicator Tower Equipment.
As pointed out it has nothing to do with the ability to get IFR radar services. Some towers look at it when handling traffic, some don't.

If you want to know if radar approach services are available, look in the AF/D for the little R in a circle in the comm section. It will tell you who (if anybody) provides radar approach services there.

I'm not sure why the ASR version would make a difference to you. I'm sure there's a list somewhere. I found one that was dated in 2004 or so. I've also seen a set of maps showing the installations for the three versions of ASR. There was no date on it, so I have no idea where it came from.
 
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