Chapter 15

Radio Altimeter
RA
 Radar Altimeter Overview
The radar altimeter measures absolute altitude, the altitude the aircraft is above
the ground, AGL (Above Ground Level).

The radar altimeter system sends out a radio wave, and that radio wave
bounces off the ground and is received.

AGL is computed by taking the speed of the radio wave and the amount of time
for it takes for it to be returned.
Unlike radar, the signal is not pulsed, but FM and is transmitted at 4300MHz at
350 milliwatts.

Radar Altimeters operate between -20 and 2500 feet.

The radar altimeter is primarily used for Decision Height Alerts and also GPWS
(Ground Proximity Warning System), Gear Warning, “Rising Runway” (for
Category II or IIIa approaches) symbol on the flight director and is used in
helicopters during vertical descent in darkness as well as autopilot, autothrottle
and flight data recorder.
 Radar Altimeter Operation

Textbook page 106

The radar altimeter produces a radio frequency carrier with a

resting frequency of 4300 MHz.

As it transmits, the frequency shifts 50 times per second off the

resting frequency.
 Radio Altimeter Operation
The airplane is shown over a point on
the ground.

At this instant, the radar altimeter is

transmitting the carrier at its lowest
frequency (A).

The signal travels to the ground and

is reflected back to the airplane at the
same frequency (A).

The returning signal reaches the

airplane after an interval of time, the
number of microseconds it takes for
the round trip.
Radar Altimeter Operation

Because time has passed, the radar altimeter is now

transmitting on a higher frequency (B).

The system has 2 frequencies to process: A, the reflection from

the ground and B the higher frequency.

3 quantities are now known: the amount the carrier frequency is

changing, elapsed time for the signal to make the round trip and
the speed of the signal (which is the speed of light).
Radar Altimeter Displays
Radar Altimeter Antennas
The radar altimeter
antennas are installed
on the bottom of the
aircraft.
Review Q & A Chapter 15
15.1 What is the main application of the radar altimeter?
Answer: Decision Height
15.2 The radar altimeter measures ____ altitude.
Answer: Absolute.
15.3 The altitude indicated by a radar altimeter is AGL. What do the letters
mean?
Answer: Above Ground Level.
15.4 What are 3 major components of a radar altimeter?
Answer: Display, receiver transmitter, and antenna.
15.5 What is the resting carrier frequency of a radar altimeter?
Answer: 4300 MHz.
15.6 What categories of approach require a radar altimeter?
Answer: Category II and IIIa
15.7 The carrier of a radar altimeter is frequency modulated, meaning it moves
____and ____ in frequency.
Answer: Up, down.
15.8 One factor measuring radio altitude is the difference in frequency between
the ____and____ wave.
Answer: Reflected and higher frequency.
15.9 When are radar altimeters useful in helicopter operations?
Answer: For vertical descents in darkness.