Aviation Weather
Aviation Weather (WX) Aircraft operate in an air mass What characteristics of weather affect aviation? What do we need to know about weather when we become part of the aviation community? Why is it more important to know about weather when you are an aviator?
The Atmosphere Composition Layers Circulation Pressure Coriolos 21% Oxygen, 78% Nitrogen Layers Circulation Pressure Coriolos Stability
Winds From weather systems Convective currents Obstructions Land-Sea interface Wind Shear
Clouds Types Altitudes Precipitation Icing Ceiling Visibility
Fronts Types Associated WX Effects on flight Wind shifts Cold Warm Occluded Associated WX Effects on flight Wind shifts
Thunderstorms Hazards Tornadoes Effects on flight Wind shifts Lightning Hail Downdrafts / Microbursts Turbulence Icing Engine water ingestion Tornadoes Effects on flight Wind shifts
Importance of Weather Knowledge Safety of flight(!!!) Aircraft performance Decision making Flight Planning
Over The Next Week Starting today and ending next Monday: Observe and record your own weather observations to include: High / Low Temperature for the day Visually observed cloud type and estimated cloud level, i.e. “Ceiling” Visually observed visibility Visually observed precipitation (rain) Use Skyvector.com to access the weather observation for the closest airport to you and record: Ceiling Visibility Winds Altimeter Significant weather, i.e. thunderstorms, rain, fog, high winds Compare your observations to the weather report for a local airport to check the accuracy of your observations Use PHAK Pages 13-5 to 13-10 as a reference to determine what an aviation forecast and observation states Enter your data on sheet provided on Moodle page in Module 9
Assignment As a team, create a 4-5 slide minimum presentation that discusses the following: Basics of the assigned weather condition Characteristics What contributes to its formation? Etc Impact of the weather condition on an airplane’s performance Safety considerations Flight planning considerations when weather condition is forecasted Other considerations Start your research in the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, Chapter 12 Utilize the extensive aviation weather resources on the internet to thoroughly research the assigned weather condition Your team’s presentation must be submitted before class meets on Thursday, 4/6 and each team must be ready to start presenting on the same day
WX Group Assignments Period 2 Group 1 – The Atmosphere Adams, Arnold, Berthelson, Burks, Campbell Group 2 – Winds Firneno, Herr, Irwin, Kercheval, King Group 3 – Clouds Langley, Little, Matthews, Miller, Mooney Group 4 - Fronts Rains, Santoscoy, Shellcrosslee, Valencia, Wolfe Group 5 - Thunderstorms Doughtie, Kinney, Price, Talley, Wooldridge
WX Group Assignments Period 3 Group 1 – The Atmosphere Angelini, Cheatham, Hall, Harrington Group 2 – Winds Haycock, Hills, Keahey, Maijala Group 3 – Clouds Molnar, Moore, Patterson, Pope Group 4 - Fronts Sain, Samoro, Stewart, Tinoco Group 4 - Thunderstorms Garcia, Hull, Morris
WX Group Assignments Period 4 Group 1 – The Atmosphere Aaron, Lindstrom, Blair Group 2 – Winds Currier, Encarnacion, Fowler Group 3 – Clouds Hayes, Jones, April, Rodriguez Group 4 - Fronts Roth, Shockey, Stephens, Sullens Group 5 - Thunderstorms Miller, Braun, Gilbreath
Questions?