2. Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2 Minnesota Wing Aircrew Training: Tasks P-2020, P-2023, P-2024 Weather Effects on Scanning Wake Turbulence High Altitude and Terrain Considerations

3. Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2 Weather

4. Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2 The most important aspect of weather is its impact on flight conditions Safety is paramount Navigation — Visual verses Instruments Effects on Search – Prevailing visibility – Search visibility – Search patterns and altitudes Information — National Weather Service, Flight Service Stations, Pilot Reports Weather

5. Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2 Reduced Visibility Under almost all circumstances, VFR daytime flight requires: – At least three miles visibility – When clouds cover more than one-half the sky, cloud bases must be no lower than 1,000 ft. AGL – Search aircraft must usually remain at least 500 ft. below the cloud deck There are exceptions: ask your PIC

6. Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2 Reduced Visibility Fog Haze Snow White out Blowing dust Affected by sun angle and direction Aircrew must increase vigilance during these conditions

7. Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2 Turbulence Can reduce scanning effectiveness – Increases fatigue – Interferes with scan Plan flights around high terrain carefully Wind currents on the downwind side can be very strong Ridges and peaks should be cleared by at least 2000 feet Wind Flight Path 2000 ft.

8. Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2 Flight Precautions Each member of the aircrew must be vigilant during all phases of flight – Assign each an area to watch Characterize visibility in the search area to establish the proper scanning range – May be different than assumed Visibility conditions or turbulence may increase fatigue

9. Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2 QUESTIONS?

10. Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2 Wind Shear - Appears as a change in wind direction and/or speed within a very short distance in the atmosphere Thunderstorms Fronts - wind shear may advance as far as 15 nm Air flow around obstacles Windward

11. Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2 Wind Shear Two potentially hazardous situations, dangerous mainly during landing: – Tailwind turns calm or to a headwind – Headwind turns calm or to a tailwind Pilot must adjust quickly

12. Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2 Wake turbulence Caused by aircraft moving through the air generating lift (proportional to weight) Settle 500 to 800 feet below the flight path Drift out slowly (5 mph) on the ground Takeoff before, land after other aircraft

13. Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2 Wake turbulence

14. Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2 Weather — Thunderstorms Remain clear of thunderstorm activity by at least 20 miles Cumulus StageMature StageDissipating Stage

15. Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2 High Altitude and Terrain Considerations

16. Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2 A barometer is used to register changes in pressure; measured in inches of mercury Standard sea-level pressure and temperature: – 29.92 inches of mercury – 59 degrees F (15 degrees C) A change of 1000 feet in elevation makes a change of about one inch To correct for local elevation, set altimeter to latest reading (ATIS/AWOS/ASOS/FSS) or enter field elevation Atmospheric Pressure Sea Level = 15 lbs per sq in 18,000 ft = 7.5 lbs per sq in 10,000 ft = 10 lbs per sq in

17. Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2 Density Altitude Three factors: – Pressure – Temperature – Humidity Altitude and pressure combined to determine pressure altitude Add non-standard temperature to get density altitude Pilots calculate (next slides) or can get on ASOS – Affects takeoff, climb, true air speed

18. Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2 Flight Computer Circular slide rule – Density altitude – Nautical to statute miles – True airspeed – Other stuff

19. Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2 Density altitude and aircraft weight have a tremendous effect on aircraft performance Both must be accurately calculated, especially for mountain flying missions Aircraft Performance

20. Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2 As altitude increases pressure decreases; this decrease can have a pronounced effect on flight: – Engine (hp) and prop are less efficient – Take off distance, climb rate, and landing distance effected Take off distance almost doubles with a 5000 foot elevation increase Rate of climb slows with higher elevation Landing distance increases with higher elevation Higher Humidity, Heat or Height result in reduced aircraft performance Pressure vs. Performance

21. Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2 Effects of Density Altitude Takeoff Roll at Sea Level Takeoff Roll at 5,000 ft Density Altitude Climb at LOWER Density Altitude Climb at HIGHER Density Altitude

22. Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2 Don ’ t fly at high elevation during the hottest part of the day Carefully calculate DA and weight Reduce load: – Less fuel – Crew of three instead of four – Less baggage Remember “ High to Low, Look out Below ” (update altimeter setting hourly) If you fly in the mountains, take the Mountain Fury Course Strategies

23. Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2 Flight Near Mountainous Terrain

24. Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2 Flight Near Mountainous Terrain

25. Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2 Flight Near Mountainous Terrain

26. Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2 Dehydration The loss of water through the skin, lungs and kidneys never ceases – Loss increases as the humidity drops with increasing altitude Symptoms are dryness of the tissues and resulting irritation of the eyes, nose and throat Minimize intake of coffee, tea, cola or cocoa since they contain caffeine and other chemicals Strategies – Drink plenty of fluids – Increase air flow (vents and windows) – If the search objective allows, reduce temperature by climbing to higher altitude

27. Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2 Effects of Altitude on Crew Member Performance Ear Block – Congestion around the Eustachian tube makes pressure equalization difficult – Can produce severe pain and a loss of hearing that can last from several hours to several days (can rupture eardrum) Sinus Block – Sinus congestion makes pressure equalization difficult, particularly during descent – Can produce severe pain Hypoxia (Lack of oxygen to the brain) – Loss of night vision as low as 5,000 feet – For most people altitudes above 12,000 feet result in a loss of judgment, coordination, memory, and alertness – Normally not a concern for non-mountainous CAP operations (usually below 12,000 MSL) – Body has no built-in warning system against hypoxia

28. Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2 Strategies Ear Block – Yawn, swallow, tense muscles in throat – Valsalva maneuver Sinus Block – Don’t fly if you’re not well – Medication usually not effective and has side effects Hypoxia – Avoid smoking, alcohol and depressants – Supplemental oxygen