Populariztion of Flight Science|Introduction to Aviation meteorology
In the busy world of aviation, every smooth takeoff and landing can not be separated from the accurate forecast and guarantee of aviation weather, So, what is aviation weather? How does it effect our flights? Today, let us unravel the mystery of aviation weather.
What is Aviation Meteorology?
Aviation meteorology is divided into two parts: aviation meteorology and aviation meteorological services.
Aviation meteorology is an applied meteorological discipline that serves aviation, aviation meteorological services serves aviation meteorology and applies research results to aviation meteorological protection.
The main purpose of aviation meteorology is to study the effects of meteorological elements and weather phenomena on aircraft and flight activities, and to provide effective meteorological support based on forecasts to ensure flight safety and the successful completion of flight missions.
What is aviation weather forecast?
Aviation weather forecast, a key link in ensuring flight safety, refers to the weather forecast produced to ensure the safety of aircraft take-off, landing and air flight, and is an important basis for the organization and implementation of flights. Unlike ordinary weather forecasts, aviation weather forecasts require more detailed and precise weather information, including cloud amount, cloud shape, cloud bottom height, wind direction, wind speed, visibility, air temperature, weather phenomena (fog, snow, wind and sand, thunderstorms, etc.), and pay special attention to special weather phenomena that may affect flight safety, such as aircraft bumps, aircraft ice accumulation, and low-altitude wind shear. All these meteorological information is an important guarantee and basic basis for aviation safety.
What meteorological factors can affect flights?
They can be categorized into visible weather phenomena and invisible weather phenomena. Visible weather phenomena such as thunderstorms, heavy rain, fog, etc., and invisible weather phenomena such as wind shear, airborne turbulence, and airborne ice. The main meteorological factors affecting flight are wind, air temperature and air pressure.
Thunderstorms: Thunderstorms are a type of strong convective weather that develops vigorously and is often accompanied by high winds, heavy rain, lightning, lightning strikes, hail and low-level wind shear. Strong air currents in thunderstorms can cause turbulence in airplanes and even lead to structural damage or malfunction of electronic equipment, affecting flight safety.
Wind: The impact of wind on flight cannot be ignored. It not only affects the aircraft's climb performance, descent trajectory, but also relates to the aircraft takeoff and landing skidding distance and time. Especially the low altitude wind shear, it may suddenly change the wind direction and wind speed, bringing great risk to the flight.
Visibility: Visibility is a critical factor for aircraft takeoffs and landings. Poor visibility can result in an airplane being unable to meet landing criteria and having to prepare for or resume a flight.
Ice buildup and bumps: These invisible weather phenomena are equally dangerous. Ice buildup can increase the weight of an airplane and change its aerodynamic profile, affecting flight safety, while bumps can cause injury to passengers or damage to the aircraft.
Clouds: The amount of cloud cover and the height of the cloud base can affect the range of vision and the takeoff and landing of an airplane. In some cases, thick clouds can even become a “roadblock” to flight.
Barometric pressure and temperature: These meteorological factors affect the lift and load of the airplane as well as fuel consumption. In high temperature or low pressure environments, an aircraft may require more fuel to complete its mission.