Radar?

[clovis09]

After seeing all the reports about UAV near misses with manned aircraft near airports I can't help but wonder what type of radar signature would a Mavic or similar size UAV produce on radar? I realize it's the UAV pilots responsibility not to be in that situation but in some cases if the UAV showed up on radar maybe the pilot could be warned there was an idiot in his airspace? Would the UAV appear as anything more than a large bird?

 

[RobbieBott]

I foresee the FAA mandating drones implement ADSB soon. It’s required by 2020 in ALL manned aircraft.
Drones from my understanding only show up as a noise blip on lower end radar. If I’m also not mistaken not all planes have radar especially the smaller ones.

 

[DesG]

Civy aircraft only carry "cloud and clunk" weather radar which wouldn't show something like the mavic. ADSB was actually mandated for all manned flight in 2005 but is still going no-where very quickly. It requires quite a bit of power to operate as it transmits a 24 bit code at random intervals. The handheld versions we were looking at for balloons and gliders would only last a couple of hours at best. When alls said and done drones should not be flown anywhere near airfports.

 

[clovis09]

Civy aircraft only carry "cloud and clunk" weather radar which wouldn't show something like the mavic. ADSB was actually mandated for all manned flight in 2005 but is still going no-where very quickly. It requires quite a bit of power to operate as it transmits a 24 bit code at random intervals. The handheld versions we were looking at for balloons and gliders would only last a couple of hours at best. When alls said and done drones should not be flown anywhere near airfports.

Agreed. I was just curious

 

[Meta4]

I can't help but wonder what type of radar signature would a Mavic or similar size UAV produce on radar?

Your Mavic won't show on radar.

 

[packnrat]

Civy aircraft only carry "cloud and clunk" weather radar which wouldn't show something like the mavic. ADSB was actually mandated for all manned flight in 2005 but is still going no-where very quickly. It requires quite a bit of power to operate as it transmits a 24 bit code at random intervals. The handheld versions we were looking at for balloons and gliders would only last a couple of hours at best. When alls said and done drones should not be flown anywhere near airfports.

i think i get the “clunk”. but cloud and clunk?

 

[Robert Mitchell]

When alls said and done drones should not be flown anywhere near airfports.

I would modify that slightly to say "unless certified and authorized.

Many certified drone pilots, like myself, can and do get authorization to fly near, or even at airports.

In fact, now even recreational pilots are permitted to be much closer, due to DJI's improved NFZ mapping.

 

[ColinF]

I would modify that slightly to say "unless certified and authorized.

Many certified drone pilots, like myself, can and do get authorization to fly near, or even at airports.

In fact, now even recreational pilots are permitted to be much closer, due to DJI's improved NFZ mapping.

Exactly correct. Being 107 certified I use LAANC and get instant automated FAA approval to fly in controlled airspace.

 

[Nfhill]

I foresee the FAA mandating drones implement ADSB soon. It’s required by 2020 in ALL manned aircraft.
Drones from my understanding only show up as a noise blip on lower end radar. If I’m also not mistaken not all planes have radar especially the smaller ones.

Every country has its own requirements for ADS-Bout. In the US, ADS-Bout is only required for aircraft flying ABOVE 10,000' msl, not all manned aircraft by any stretch of imagination.

Nick