• The WX-500 Stormscope detects electrical discharges from thunderstorms within a 200 NM radius of the aircraft.

• Output is displayed on the Garmin GNS 430 MFD. GNS 430 provides complete control of WX-500 operating modes.

• Antenna detects intra-cloud, inter-cloud and cloud-to-ground discharges. Detects thunderstorms in all phases of development.

• Strike rate helps determine if storms are developing or dissipating.

• Works anywhere – on the ground or in the air. Check it before takeoff.

WX-500 OVERVIEW

ANATOMY OF A THUNDERSTORM

• A thunderstorm can build, mature and dissipate in as little as 20 min.

• Only a small percentage of lightning strikes occur between clouds and ground. Most are intra or inter-cloud.

• The WX-500 detects storms in all stages of development, and unlike weather radar can see the “storm behind the storm”.

There is a strong correlation between electrical discharge and convective wind shear.

WX-500 OPERATING MODES

CELL MODE STRIKE MODE

RADIAL SPREAD

GNS-430 WEATHER PAGE

In the NAV page group, press MENU to change options:

• Clear Storm Data

• Strike Mode – Cell or Strike

• View Mode – 120° or 360°

• Self Test

GNS-430 MAP PAGE

From the MAP page, press MENU to change options:

• Clear Storm Data (can also be accomplished by pressing the CLR WX button on the panel)

• Set Range – from the Setup Map menu

• Lightning Symbol – latest strikes, less than one minute

• Large + sign = more than one minute old

• Small + sign = more than two minutes old

• Strike data is no longer displayed after three minutes

STRIKE DATA DISPLAY

THINGS TO REMEMBER!

• Never use the Stormscope to attempt to penetrate a thunderstorm. Avoid thunderstorms by at least 20 NM.

• Clusters of two or more discharge points indicate a thunderstorm. Avoid the clusters and you will avoid the thunderstorms.

• In the CELL display even a single discharge point may represent a thunderstorm and should be avoided.