1. AVF 113 - Meteorology Course Introduction

2. INSTRUCTOR Mr. Joe MacDougall
Diploma in Aviation Mount Royal College/University (Calgary, AB)
Bachelors of Science in Aeronautics from the University of North Dakota
St. Louis University/Parks College
Owner AvCanada
Weather Modification Pilot
Canadian Airline Transport
FAA Commercial Multi-Instrument & SES, CFI, CFII, MEI
BBCC Assistant Chief Flight Instructor

3. MOST CHALLENGING CROSS COUNTRY
CYYC-SAME (MENDOZE ARGENTINA MDZ)
Via Fargo ND (KFAR), Albany Georgia (KABY), St. Petersburg Florida (KSPG), Lakeland Florida (KLAL), Fort Pierce Florida (KFPR), then over Cuba to Montego Bay Jamaica (MBJ MKJS), Bogotá Columbia (SKBO), Rio Bronco Brazil (SBRB), Cuiaba Brazil (SBCY), Iguazzu Brazil (SBFI), Mendoza Argentina (SAME)

4. Route between CYYC (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) and SAME (Mendoza, Mendoza, Argentina):
Distance along great circle: statute miles, nautical miles, kilometers

5. TEXTS You will be using two texts this quarter:
Aviation Weather AC 00-6A and
Aviation Weather Services AC00-45G

6. COURSE OUTLINE AND GRADING POLICY
Please read the course outline. In this document you will find the grading policy for this course.

7. Course Objectives: Understanding of basic weather theory
Cause and effect relationships
Recognize critical weather situations
Be able to identify typical weather phenomenon
Be able to obtain weather information
Prepared for FAA oral exam for topics relating to meteorology

8. AOPA & Duat/s
Throughout the course there will be several homework assignments that you will be required to complete from the AOPA website.
You will need to prove to me that you can login to or before January 24th, 2013 if you are in the flight program.
Students who are not in the flight program or who have not completed AVF 112 please raise your hand.

9. Introduction Why study the Weather?
It effects everyone
Your knowledge may save your life at one point or another in your aviation career
Go-No go decision (most important thing you can learn)
After your airborne it’s a terrible feeling wishing that you were on the ground.
Therefore it can not be purely academic, we have to relate it to flight safety.
For your safety and the safety of those with you, learn to recognize potential trouble and make sound preflight and flight decisions before it is to late. This is the real purpose of the first half of this course.

10. CLASS CONTENT
EARTH FACTS
Review of METAR’s, TAF’s, FA, FD, PIREPS

11. EARTH What do you think the dimensions of the Earth are? Radius
Circumference
Distance from the Pole to Equator

12. EARTH What do you think the dimensions of the Earth are?
Radius = 3,438 n.m.
Circumference = 21,625 n.m.
Distance from the Pole to Equator = 5,397 n.m.

13. ATMOSHERIC LAYERS
99.9% of the total atmospheric mass is below 164,000 ft (about 27 n.m.). At this altitude the density is about one-thousandth of sea levels density. Very close to the top but there is no well-defined upper surface to the atmosphere.
90% of mass is below 53,000 ft
50% of mass is below 18,000 ft

14. Earth Facts
If the earth were a beach ball the atmosphere would be as thin as a piece of paper
If the Earth was an apple the atmosphere would be similar to the skin of the apple.
It took approx. 4.6 Billion years for the atmosphere to form.

15. Meteorological History
The term goes back to Greek Philosopher Aristotle 340 BC
He wrote a book called Meteorlogica which was referenced for 2000 years.
Thermometer was invented late 1500’s
Barometer invented in 1643
The 1800’s saw a scientific approach being developed and the use of weather maps introduced

16. Meteorological History
1920’s saw Airmasses and Fronts
1940’s Balloon wx observations gave a more 3 dimensional view
1950’s computer aided wx
1960’s Tiros I wx satellite

17. Meteorological Today
Today, complex computer models tied with satellite data improve accuracy
A large part of this data is available from a FSS (1-800-WX-Brief) or on the internet
In the second half of this course and today we are going to cover weather reports, forecasts etc. from AC00-45F

18. METAR History
The METAR format was introduced 1 January internationally and has been modified several times since. North American countries continued to use a Surface Aviation Observation (SAO) for current weather conditions until 1 June 1996 when this report was replaced with an approved variant of the METAR agreed upon in a 1989 Geneva agreement.

19. METAR Naming
The word METAR originated from the French, "message d’observation météorologique régulière pour l’aviation," and is thought to be a contraction from the french words, MÉTéorologique ("Weather") Aviation Régulière ("Routine"). The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) defines a METAR as an aviation routine weather report in the Aeronautical Informational Manual and may therefore consider it erroneous to attempt to redefine METAR with incorrect terminology such as METeorological Aerodrome Report.[2] The FAA and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) specifically define a METAR as an aviation routine weather report, which is an approximate translation of the historical French description.

20. METAR METAR= Aviation Routine Weather Report
In 1996 US converted to the ICAO and the World Meterological Organization form of aviation weather reporting.
Each country is allowed to make modifications to the code to use in that particular country
In the U.S. visibility is in statute miles, runway visual range in feet, wind speed in knots, and altimeter setting in inches of mercury

21. METAR Elements of a METAR 1. Type of Report 2. ICAO station identifier
5. Wind
6. Visibility
7. RVR
8. Weather
9. Sky conditions
10. Temp/DPT
11. Altimeter
12. Remarks
Elements of a METAR
1. Type of Report
2. ICAO station identifier
3. Date and time of report
4. Modifier (as required)

22. METAR (Section 3 AC 00-45F)
METAR KGNV Z COR 24015KT 3/4SM R28/2400FT +TSRA BKN008 OVC015CB 26/25 A2985 RMK TSB32RAB32
METAR KPIT Z COR 22015G25KT 3/4SM R28L/2600FT TSRA OVC010CB 18/16 A2992 RMK SLP045 T

23. METAR AND TAF
KMWH Z 00000KT 1/2SM R32R/6000VP6000FT UP FG BKN004 OVC /01 A3009 RMK AO2 RAE49UPB49 SLP202 P0007 T
KMWH Z 0422/ KT 3SM -RA BR OVC015 TEMPO 0422/0424 1SM RA BR BKN005 OVC030 FM KT 5SM RA BR OVC015 FM VRB04KT P6SM BKN006 OVC010
KEPH Z AUTO 01006KT 3SM -SN BR FEW004 BKN021 OVC031 00/00 A3008 RMK AO2 SLP197 P0004 T

24. METAR (226 & 200AFD)
METAR’s are issued normally 5-10minutes before the hour every hour
Ceiling is defined as the lowest broken or overcast layer or vertical visibility into a surface based obstruction
Indefinite ceiling VV006
Temperature below zero prefixed with a M

25. METAR (226 & 200AFD)
A01-Automated station with out precipitation discrimination
A02- with precip discrimination
VC in vicinity of airport 5-10 SM
METAR’s are reports (a moment of time) not a forecast

26. TAF (AC 00-45F 7.2)
Used to be called a FT now called a Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts
Is a forecast of the expected weather conditions at an airport during a specific period (usually 24hrs NOW some are 30hrs)
Issued four times a day for 24 hrs periods (00Z, 06Z, 12Z, 18Z)

27. TAF Example old format:
TAF KOKC Z KT 5SM BR BKN030 WS018/32030KT TEMPO /2SM BR FM KT P6SM SKC BECMG G20KT 4SM SHRA OVC020 PROB SM TSRA OVC008CB =

28. NEW TAF FORMAT

29. TAF NEW FORMAT
KMWH Z 0204/ KT P6SM OVC110 FM KT 5SM -RA BR BKN008 FM KT 2SM -RASN BR OVC007 FM KT 1SM BR BKN007 OVC025 FM G22KT P6SM SCT020 BKN150 =
KMWH Z 0422/ KT 3SM - RA BR OVC015 TEMPO 0422/0424 1SM RA BR BKN005 OVC030 FM KT 5SM RA BR OVC015 FM VRB04KT P6SM BKN006 OVC010

30. TAF (DECEMBER 2ND 2009) Example SPOKANE:
KGEG Z 0204/ KT 6SM - SN BR BKN005 OVC010 FM KT 3/4SM -RASN BR BKN009 OVC015 FM KT 3SM -SHSN SCT008 BKN015 FM G25KT P6SM VCSH SCT020 BKN150 FM NSW SKC =

31. FA AVIATION AREA FORECAST (Section 7)
FA is a forecast of general weather conditions over an area the size of several states.
It is used to determine forecast en route weather and to interpolate conditions at airports that do not have TAF’s issued.
FA’s are issued 3 times a day for 6 different areas in the U.S.

32. FA AVIATION AREA FORECAST (269)
FA is comprised of four sections:
1 Communication and product header section
2. A precautionary statement section
3. Synopsis section
4. VFR Clouds/WX section

33. FA AVIATION AREA FORECAST
The area we are in is the SFO San Francisco area
1. Communication and Product header
Identifies the office for which the FA is issued, the date and time of issue, the product name, the valid times, and the states and/or areas covered by the FA
2. Precautionary statements. Three statements are in all FA’s

34. FA AVIATION AREA FORECAST (269)
See airmet sierra for IFR conds and mtn obscn.
TSTMS IMPLY PSPL SVR OR GTR TURBC SVR ICG LLWS AND IFR CONDS.
NON MSL HGTS ARE NENOTED BY AGL OR CIG.

35. FA AVIATION AREA FORECAST
Synopsis - brief summary of the location and movement of fronts, pressure systems, and circulation patterns for an 18-hr. period
VFR Clouds and Weather - contains a 12 hr. specific forecast, followed by a 6 -hr outlook giving a total forecast of 18hr
(duat)

36. In-Flight WX advisories
Are forecasts that advise en route aircraft of the development of potentially hazardous weather
Three different kinds of in-flight wx advisories
1. Convective SIGMET (WST)
2. SIGMET (WS)
3. AIRMET (WA)

37. In-Flight WX advisories
All heights are MSL unless stated CIG
Convective SIGMET (WST) - Are issued for any of the following
A severe thunderstorm due to 1. Surface winds greater than or equal to 50kt, 2. Hail at the surface greater than or equal to 3/4 in. in diameter, 3. Tornadoes, 4. Embedded thunderstorms, 5. Line of thunderstorms, or 6. TS greater or = to VIP intensity level 4 affecting 40% or more of an area 3000 square miles.

38. In-Flight WX advisories
Convective SIGMET (WST) - implies severe or greater turbulence, severe icing, and low-level wind shear
Issued for eastern (E), central (C), and western (W) United States.
Bulletins are issued hourly at H+55
Each new bulletin is identified with a number
The text of the bulletin’s forecast is valid for up to 2 hours. (Pg 281)

39. In-Flight WX advisories
SIGMET (WS)- advises of nonconvective weather that is potentially hazardous to all aircraft
1. Severe icing, 2. Severe or extreme turbulence or clear air turbulence not associated with a TS
3. Dustorms, sandstorms, or volcanic ash lowering surface visibilities to below 3SM
4. Volcanic eruption
The maximum forecast period is 6 hrs.

40. In-Flight WX advisories
Identified by alphabetic designators which inlude November through Yankee but exlude Sierra and Tango
First issuance of a SIGMET with be labeled UWS (urgent weather SIGMET)

41. In-Flight WX advisories
Example
UWS
SIGMET PAPA 1 VALID UNTIL
AR LA MS
FROM STL TO 30N MEI TO BTW TO MLU TO STL OCNL SVR ICING 90 TO 130 EXPCE.
FRZLVL 80 E TO 120 W. CONDS CONTG BYD 2100Z

42. In-Flight WX advisories
AIRMET (WA)- are advisories of significant weather phenomena but describe conditions at intensities lower than those which trigger SIGMETs.
Are bulletins issued on a scheduled basis every 6 hrs. Issued for: moderate icing, Moderate turbulence, sustained surface winds of 30 kt. Or more, IFR clouds and visibilites affecting over 50% of the area at one time, extensive mountain obscurement

43. In-Flight WX advisories
AIRMET - have fixed alphanumeric designators of:
ZULU for moderate icing & Freezing Level
TANGO for moderate turbulence, LLWS, strong winds
SIERRA for IFR and mountain obscuration
Pg 284 example

44. WINDS ALOFT FORECAST FD/FB
Forecasts are made twice a day based on 00Z and 12Z data for use during specific time intervals
Can be both an observation or a forecast.
Valid for a specific time
Gives winds at 3000ft, 6000ft, 9000ft, 12,000ft, 18,000ft, 24,000ft, 30,000ft, 34,000ft etc.
example winds and temperature at 9,000ft are written as
= winds 270 degrees true and 25 knots temperature 0 degrees C

45. WINDS ALOFT FORECAST FD
No winds are forecast within 1500ft of station elevation, also no temperature are forecast for the 3,000ft level or for any level within 2,500 ft of station elevation. Above no negative C
If wind speed is over 100 knots (or from knots) the wind speed will have 50 added to the direction
Example wind 230 degrees T at 150 knots =7350
Wind less than 5 kt codedas 9900 light and variable

46. PIREPS UA
PIREPS (UA) - observations from pilots in the cockpit. Provide the only means of directly observing cloud tops, icing, and turbulence.
Transmitted in a prescribed format

47. PIREPS UA /OV = LOCATION, /TM = TIME, /FL = ALTITUDE/FLIGHT LEVEL,
/TP = AIRCRAFT TYPE,
/SK = SKY COVER,
/WX = FLIGHT VISIBILITY AND WEATHER,
/TA = TEMPERATURE,
/WV = WIND,
/TB = TURBULENCE,
/IC = ICING,
/RM = REMARK

48. PIREPS UA
The letter “UUA” identify an urgent PIREP
Example
SEA UA /OV SEA105045/TM 0245/FL170/TP B738/TB MOD /RM DURGD
SFF UA /OV SFF /TM 0336 /FL050 /TP BE20 /TA M04 /IC MOD RIME

49. WX 1/5/2003
KMWH Z 02005KT 10SM OVC009 05/03 A3057 RMK AO2 SLP363 T $
KPSC Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 11/03 A3056 RMK AO2 SLP351 T
KGEG Z 16003KT 10SM FEW012 BKN017 OVC /01 A3054 RMK AO2 SLP358 T
KEAT Z AUTO 07005KT 3SM BR OVC001 01/00 A3057 RMK AO2
KELN Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 01/M01 A3052 RMK AO2 SLP351 T
KSEA Z 36003KT 10SM SCT130 BKN150 10/06 A3045 RMK AO2 SLP313 T

50. 1/5/2004
METAR KMWH Z 36010KT 10SM CLR M14/M19 A3073 RMK AO2 SLP442 T
METAR KEPH Z AUTO 36006KT 10SM CLR M13/M20 A3071 RMK AO2 SLP438 T $

51. NOTAMS MWH 01/022 MWH RWY 36 BOW MU 27/25/28 WEF 0901050405
BOW = Bowmonk Decelerometer (Bowmonk Sales)
MU = Prononced “Mew”, MU is a measurement of runway friction as reported by airport managament.

52. NOTAM !MWH 01/041 MWH RWY 36 BOW MU 43/32/39 WEF 1001042022
1ST THIRD VALUE 27
2ND THIRD 25
LAST 3RD 28
Went in effect 09 = 2009
01 = 1st month
05= 5th day
0405 = 0405z
ory_circulars/media/ D/150_5200_28d.pdf

53. BRAKING ACTION

54. TAF 1/5/2009
TAF KMWH Z 0518/ KT P6SM SCT020 SCT250 FM KT P6SM SCT030 SCT250 FM KT 5SM BR FEW002 BKN250 FM KT 3SM BR VCSH OVC008