Avoiding False Radar Returns

{access view=!registered}Only logged in users can view the full text of the article.{/access}{access view=registered}Wind turbines that are sited in the view of radars can cause blind spots for air traffic control (ATC); radar clutter that can result in the loss or corruption of a real aircraft’s position. This equivalent return can appear on a controller’s radar screen as a moving aircraft or, equally disconcerting, as strong false weather. In ATC circles this is described as a false target/false weather and may cause the air traffic controller to re-route aircraft. Thus these false targets create additional work for controllers, and may also have safety implications. Typical issues caused by turbines are circled in Figure 1 which shows (from left to right), false air traffic targets, radar clutter and false weather.