MET 2204 METEOROLOGY

MET 2204METEOROLOGY

Presentation 2: Introduction to Meteorology

1Presented by Mohd Amirul for AMC

Learning Outcomes

• At the end of this session, student should be able to:– Appreciate the significance of meteorology in the

world of aviation.– Get some idea and overview regarding

meteorology.


What is METEOROLOGY??


Definition of MeteorologyDerived from Greek words:Meteoron – ‘high in the sky’Logos – ‘knowledge’

• The branch of science dealing with the earth’s atmosphere and the physical process occurring in it.

• Its Including moisture, temperature, cloud coverage, pressure, and other meteorological conditions.


Cont.

• Meteorologist: Scientists who study the atmosphere. They examine its effects on the environment, predict the weather, or investigate climate trends.


So what is the atmosphere??


The Atmosphere

• layer of gases surrounding the planet Earth that is retained by Earth's gravity.

The earth’s atmosphere varies vertically and Horizontally in:

•Pressure•Temperature•Density•Humidity


Is air the same as atmosphere?


• air usually refers to atmosphere that is breathable to us, while atmosphere is any pressurized gas environment.

So is there any air and/or atmosphere in other planet??



Importance of Meteorology in Aviation

• Aviation meteorology deals with the impact of weather on air traffic management.

• Overall climatic weather conditions to be faced by an aviator with changing of seasons.

• Knowing the potential weather to ensure flight journey safely.


What’s the difference between weather and climate?


Weather ClimateThe state of atmospheric conditions at the present time. Weather is what is happening now.

(e.g. People watch the news to see what the weather will be for the day or tomorrow).

Average weather conditions for a region. Weather over a long period of time in the specific area/region. (e.g. the climate of Oregon is mild weather, with rain.)


Basic concept of Weather• Why there are variation in temperature for every

regions?– Earth’s equator received more solar radiation than

earth’s poles. So it warmer than poles.

• Why there are variation in weather?– Temperature difference results because land and

water (different medium) don’t absorb solar radiation equally.

– So, warm air and cold air mixing in atmosphere result changing of weather.


Cont.• What caused of wind flow?

– Difference in pressure in atmosphere.– Air tend to move from area of high pressure to

low pressure.


How Weather can be Hazardous to Aviation?

1. Turbulence/Windshear - bumpiness in flight- structural damage to an aircraft- lose of altitude

2. Icing- change in flight performance- increase in weight and uneven loading.- engine intakes become blocked- control surfaces jam


3. Thunderstorms / lightning

- Can caused electrical/electronic systems failure- Affect radio communications and navigation equipment

4. Heavy rain / hail

- reduction of visibility- affect braking and possible sliding off the runway-hail can affect the aircraft’s aerodynamics- hail can damage propeller and engine blades

Cont.


5. Snow- affect the airflow into the engines - affect braking action- disturbing the aerodynamics & weight of the aircraft- resultant error of the airspeed and altitude indication-visibility

6. Fog/Mist- degrade the visibility that affected the landing.

7. Low cloud/Poor visibility- can caused collision

Cont.


Statistics of Air Disaster caused by Weather Problem


Causes of Fatal Accidents by Decade (percentage)

Cause 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s All

Pilot Error 40 32 24 25 27 26 29

Pilot Error (weather related)

11 18 14 17 21 17 16

Pilot Error (mechanical related)

7 5 4 2 4 3 5

Total Pilot Error 58 57 42 44 53 46 50

Other Human Error

0 8 9 6 8 8 6

Weather 16 10 13 15 9 9 12

Mechanical Failure

21 20 23 21 21 28 22

Sabotage 5 5 11 13 10 9 9

Other Cause 0 2 2 1 0 1 120Presented by Mohd Amirul for AMC

Percent of Accidents with Known Causes


Example of Air Disaster Caused by Weather


Pan Am Flight 759July 9th , 1982

• Encountered severe windshear and descended into a residential area.

• The aircraft crashed on takeoff from runway 10 at New Orleans International Airport

• 153 people were killed (145 passengers and crew on board and 8 on the ground)

Boeing 727


Buffalo Air CrashFebruary 12th , 2009

• The aircraft, on a scheduled passenger flight from Newark, crashed while on approach to the Buffalo/Niagara International Airport

• Snow and haze conditions, and ice on the windshield and leading edge of the wings.

• All 49 persons aboard the plane were killed, as well as one man on the ground

Bombardier Dash 8Q-400 N200WQ


Conclusion• Meteorology is the scientific study of

the atmosphere that focuses on weather processes and forecasting.

• Meteorology has application in many diverse fields such as the military, energy production, transport, agriculture and construction.


Cont.

• FOO should have sufficient knowledge and skill to interpret and predict meteorological information efficiently.

• They must use this information to ensure flight journey safety.


Key Points

• Definition of Meteorology

• Different between weather and climate

• Importance of Meteorological in Aviation


End of Presentation #25 Minutes for Q/A session


Task:

• Do some research and study regarding next topic: Atmosphere


Quote of the Day

• Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather =)

~John Ruskin


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MET 2204 METEOROLOGY