Airborne Weather Systems
Several instruments require vacuum pressure through a vacuum pump to create suction to spin gyroscopes.
Introduction to Airborne Weather Systems
- Airborne weather systems provide pilots with real-time weather information, an improvement from delays experienced with ground-based services
Airborne Weather Systems Key Highlights
- Airborne weather systems provide pilots with real-time or near-real-time weather information to improve situational awareness and flight safety.
- Common airborne weather systems include onboard weather radar, lightning detection systems, datalink weather services, and satellite weather displays.
- Weather radar systems detect precipitation intensity and storm structure by transmitting and receiving radio wave reflections.
- Pilots use airborne weather systems to identify thunderstorms, turbulence, precipitation, icing conditions, and hazardous weather areas.
- Datalink weather systems provide graphical weather products such as NEXRAD, METARs, TAFs, SIGMETs, and NOTAM information.
- Airborne weather displays may contain transmission delays, making real-time thunderstorm avoidance and tactical decisions especially important.
- Weather radar tilt, gain settings, and interpretation techniques significantly affect radar effectiveness and hazard identification.
- Improper interpretation of airborne weather information can lead to hazardous weather penetration and increased operational risk.
- Modern avionics systems integrate weather displays with navigation and traffic information to improve pilot situational awareness.
- Understanding airborne weather systems improves weather decision-making, operational planning, and overall flight safety.
Weather Radar Systems
- Weather radar systems send out radio waves that are reflected by weather or other surfaces (i.e., the ground)
Weather Radar Systems Performance
- Weather radars are as effective as their antenna, among other characteristics
- Smaller antennas may only be able to see 40 Nautical Miles (NMs) whereas larget aircraft can see further
- Attenuation may hide dense weather
Weather Radar Best Practices
- Since weather and terrain will submit returns to the aircraft, pilots may wish to point the radar down until reaching terrain, and adjust from there
- Avoid reliance on weather systems for go/no-go decisions, but rather for in-flight adjustments
- Remember that weather radar's point in the direction of the aircraft, but not necessarily the flight path
Private Pilot (Airplane) Weather Information Airman Certification Standards
- Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with weather information for a flight under VFR
- References: 14 CFR part 91; AC 91-92; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2 (Risk Management Handbook), FAA-H-8083-3 (Airplane Flying Handbook), FAA-H-8033-25 (Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge), FAA-H-8083-28 (Aviation Weather Handbook).
- Note: If K2 is selected, the evaluator must assess the applicant's knowledge of at least three sub-elements.
- Note: If K3 is selected, the evaluator must assess the applicant's knowledge of at least three sub-elements.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Weather Information Knowledge:
The applicant must demonstrate understanding of:-
PA.I.C.K1:
Sources of weather data (e.g., National Weather Service, Flight Service) for flight planning purposes. -
PA.I.C.K2:
Acceptable weather products and resources required for preflight planning, current and forecast weather for departure, en route, and arrival phases of flight such as:.-
PA.I.C.K2a:
Airport Observations (METAR and SPECI) and Pilot Observations (PIREP). -
PA.I.C.K2b:
Surface Analysis Chart, Ceiling and Visibility Chart (CVA). -
PA.I.C.K2c:
Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAF). -
PA.I.C.K2d:
Graphical Forecasts for Aviation (GFA). -
PA.I.C.K2e:
Wind and Temperature Aloft Forecast (FB). -
PA.I.C.K2f:
Convective Outlook (AC). -
PA.I.C.K2g:
Inflight Aviation Weather Advisories including Airmen's Meteorological Information (AIRMET), Significant Meteorological Information (SIGMET), and Convective SIGMET.
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PA.I.C.K3:
Meteorology applicable to the departure, en route, alternate, and destination under visual flight rules (VFR) in Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC), including expected climate and hazardous conditions such as:-
PA.I.C.K3a:
Atmospheric composition and stability. -
PA.I.C.K3b:
Wind (e.g. crosswind, tailwind, wind shear, mountain wave, etc.). -
PA.I.C.K3c:
Temperature and heat exchange. -
PA.I.C.K3d:
Moisture/precipitation. -
PA.I.C.K3e:
Weather system formation, including air masses and fronts. -
PA.I.C.K3f:
Clouds. -
PA.I.C.K3g:
Turbulence. -
PA.I.C.K3h:
Thunderstorms and microbursts. -
PA.I.C.K3i:
Icing and freezing level information. -
PA.I.C.K3j:
Fog/mist. -
PA.I.C.K3k:
Frost. -
PA.I.C.K3l:
Obstructions to visibility (e.g., smoke, haze, volcanic ash, etc.).
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PA.I.C.K4:
Flight deck displays of digital weather and aeronautical information.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Weather Information Risk Management:
The applicant is able to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with:-
PA.I.C.R1:
Making the go/no-go and continue/divert decisions, including:-
PA.I.C.R1a:
Circumstances that would make diversion prudent. -
PA.I.C.R1b:
Personal weather minimums. -
PA.I.C.R1c:
Hazardous weather conditions to include known or forecast icing or turbulence aloft.
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PA.I.C.R2:
Use and limitations of:-
PA.I.C.R2a:
Installed onboard weather equipment. -
PA.I.C.R2b:
Aviation weather reports and forecasts. -
PA.I.C.R2c:
Inflight weather resources.
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Private Pilot (Airplane) Weather Information Skills:
The applicant exhibits the skills to:-
PA.I.C.S1:
Use available aviation weather resources to obtain an adequate weather briefing. -
PA.I.C.S2:
Analyze the implications of at least three of the conditions listed in K3a through K3l, using actual weather or weather conditions provided by the evaluator. -
PA.I.C.S3:
Correlate weather information to make a go/no-go decision.
Airborne Weather Systems Conclusion
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