I recently installed a GRT Safefly/uAvionix Echo UAT in my plane so I now have traffic on my GRT EFIS.
It is taking a little getting used to what I should expect with this system, as there have been times where I've seen airplanes but no indication of them on screen, and also have seen traffic on-screen, but could never find the airplane out the window.
This weekend, I saw a target in front and to the left of me about 100ft lower about 3 miles away. The target did not have an N-number, and it was coming and going on the display - not consistently displaying. As I got closer and closer, I was starting to worry, because I couldn't find the airplane, and it also didn't seem to be moving in any particular direction. Then, right where I expected to see a plane, I saw 3 turkey vultures circling in a thermal at about 2000'.
Now, unless the vultures are carrying transponders now, I don't know how ATC Radar would have been able to determine their altitude, or even see them at all... unless radar can see individual birds and determine altitude without a transponder in some cases. I understand some radar can, but thought ATC radar isn't supposed to be able to do that.
Has anyone else seen targets that they suspect were birds, and not aircraft?
Funny, I know.. but I have to ask.
It is taking a little getting used to what I should expect with this system, as there have been times where I've seen airplanes but no indication of them on screen, and also have seen traffic on-screen, but could never find the airplane out the window.
This weekend, I saw a target in front and to the left of me about 100ft lower about 3 miles away. The target did not have an N-number, and it was coming and going on the display - not consistently displaying. As I got closer and closer, I was starting to worry, because I couldn't find the airplane, and it also didn't seem to be moving in any particular direction. Then, right where I expected to see a plane, I saw 3 turkey vultures circling in a thermal at about 2000'.
Now, unless the vultures are carrying transponders now, I don't know how ATC Radar would have been able to determine their altitude, or even see them at all... unless radar can see individual birds and determine altitude without a transponder in some cases. I understand some radar can, but thought ATC radar isn't supposed to be able to do that.
Has anyone else seen targets that they suspect were birds, and not aircraft?
Funny, I know.. but I have to ask.