737 MAX Flight Crew Operations Manual
Flight Management, Navigation -
Navigation Systems Description
MN-FLT-OH-201
11.20.15
Weather Radar
The weather radar system detects and locates various types of precipitation
bearing clouds along the flight path of the airplane and gives the pilot a visual
indication in color of the clouds’ intensity. The radar antenna sweeps a forward arc
of 180 degrees.
The radar indicates a cloud’s rainfall intensity by displaying colors contrasted
against a black background. Areas of heaviest rainfall appear in red, the next level
of rainfall in amber, and the least rainfall in green.
In map mode, the radar displays surfaces in red, amber, and green (most reflective
to least reflective).
These displays enable identification of coastlines, hilly or mountainous regions,
cities, or large structures. Ground mapping mode can be useful in areas where
ground–based navigation aids are limited.
The radar system performs only the functions of weather detection and ground
mapping. It should not be used or relied upon for proximity warning or
anticollision protection.
The turbulence mode displays normal precipitation and precipitation associated
with turbulence. When the radar detects a horizontal flow of precipitation with
velocities of 5 or more meters per second toward or away from the radar antenna,
that target display becomes magenta. This magenta area is associated with heavy
turbulence. The detection of turbulence is automatically limited to a 40 nautical
mile range, regardless of the selected range.
March 1, 2021
