Bob,

I would think some green would be OK if not convective (even yellow
perhaps if it is simply a heavy rain)

How can the lightning info be used? There are two types of weather
packages avaliable for the 396. One is more expensive, but includes
lightning.

Dan





Bob Gardner wrote:
The first thing you need to understand is that the weather you see on the
396 is several minutes old...possibly as much as eleven minutes. So you need
to watch the display and figure out which way the echoes are going, and plan
on passing them on the upwind side. Then you need to realize that radar
reflects only decent size rain droplets, not vertical currents, not the tops
of clouds, not turbulence. Bottom line is: Stay well clear of anything
green...yellow and red go without saying. If you have to get into the green,
make the incursion as short as possible.

Saw a revealing presentation at a NATCA controller's conference. They showed
a slide with several large cells being displayed, and indicated the position
of a 172 when the scenario began. The pilot told the controller that if he
could have a certain heading, he would be clear of the cell he saw on his
screen and could proceed to his destination. Unfortunately, by the time he
got to the geographical area which was nice and clear on his cockpit display
at the time he asked for the heading, the cell had moved directly into his
path with predictable results. The message to the controllers in attendance
was "What the pilot sees in the cockpit and real life are two different
things."

Bob Gardner

"Dan" wrote in message
oups.com...

For those of you with a Garmin 396, how do you avoid dangerous weather,
avoid yellow and steer clear of the lightning strike indications? I am
considering the purchase of one and am wondering how to use the info
safely, but yet with the maximum utility.

Dan