Note-taking in Aviation Note-taking in Aviation MeteorologyMeteorology

Note taking is Note taking is IndividualIndividual Note taking is a skillNote taking is a skill There are note taking strategiesThere are note taking strategies

– However, you must make those However, you must make those strategies your ownstrategies your own

Benefits of Good Note-Benefits of Good Note-Taking StrategiesTaking Strategies Good Notes:Good Notes:

– organize material for studying.organize material for studying.– provide an opportunity for using provide an opportunity for using

learning strategies.learning strategies.– are a place to record important are a place to record important

information.information.– help maintain concentration. help maintain concentration.

There are Three There are Three StagesStages to Note-taking to Note-taking PrePre During During PostPost

Pre-note-taking StrategiesPre-note-taking Strategies

Be prepared intellectuallyBe prepared intellectually– Preview the TEXTPreview the TEXT– Look at the SyLook at the Syllllaabus to know what is bus to know what is

comingcoming– Ask fellow classmates Ask fellow classmates aabout the bout the

material that is coming.material that is coming. Have all materialsHave all materials Date and title paperDate and title paper

Note-taking skills during Note-taking skills during the lecturethe lecture Write clearly on one side of the paperWrite clearly on one side of the paper Listen closely for main ideasListen closely for main ideas Paraphrase -- do not copy instructor's Paraphrase -- do not copy instructor's

words verbatim words verbatim except except when definitions when definitions or formulas are givenor formulas are given

Take notes in semi-outline styleTake notes in semi-outline style Use the margin as an index to your notesUse the margin as an index to your notes Leave generous space between main Leave generous space between main

ideas and sub-topicsideas and sub-topics

More “During” More “During” StrategiesStrategies Write examples that the instructor givesWrite examples that the instructor gives Watch for cues that important Watch for cues that important

information is being giveninformation is being given Write down connections between pointsWrite down connections between points Note questions, confusions, and things to Note questions, confusions, and things to

look up look up Number points if the number of points Number points if the number of points

are being made.are being made. Use graphicsUse graphics

Post Note-taking Post Note-taking StrategiesStrategies Immediately after, look over notes to fill Immediately after, look over notes to fill

in missing information, expand in missing information, expand abbreviations, etc.abbreviations, etc.

Within 24 hours read through your Within 24 hours read through your notes, fill in gaps, and reviewnotes, fill in gaps, and review

Index your notesIndex your notes Write comments, elaborations, Write comments, elaborations,

questions, etc. in the indexquestions, etc. in the index Create Big Idea Summary Create Big Idea Summary

Example – Chapter 1Example – Chapter 1

Chapter 1 – The AtmosphereChapter 1 – The Atmosphere Section A: Atmospheric Section A: Atmospheric

CompositionComposition– Atmosphere – Atmosphere – an envelope of gases an envelope of gases

surrounding the planetsurrounding the planet– Water vapor – Water vapor – water vapor is a variable water vapor is a variable

gas; the percentage of water vapor in the gas; the percentage of water vapor in the atmosphere can vary greatly, depending atmosphere can vary greatly, depending on the location and source of the airon the location and source of the air

– Particulates or aerosols – Particulates or aerosols – liquid or solid liquid or solid particles that are small enough to remain particles that are small enough to remain suspended in the airsuspended in the air

Example – Chapter 1Example – Chapter 1

Section B: Atmospheric PropertiesSection B: Atmospheric Properties– Temperature – Temperature – defined in a number of ways; can be defined as a defined in a number of ways; can be defined as a

measure of the direction heat will flow; or as simply a measure of measure of the direction heat will flow; or as simply a measure of hotness or coldness; a measure of the motion of the molecules; the hotness or coldness; a measure of the motion of the molecules; the average of the kinetic energy of the many molecules that make up a average of the kinetic energy of the many molecules that make up a substance; the greater the average kinetic energy, the greater the substance; the greater the average kinetic energy, the greater the temperaturetemperature

– Kinetic energy – Kinetic energy – energy that exists by virtue of motion; a molecule energy that exists by virtue of motion; a molecule possesses kinetic energy proportional to the square of its speed of possesses kinetic energy proportional to the square of its speed of movementmovement

– Absolute zero – Absolute zero – a temperature of absolute zero is the point where a temperature of absolute zero is the point where all molecular motion ceases; 0 degrees Kelvinall molecular motion ceases; 0 degrees Kelvin

– Kelvin scale – Kelvin scale – the corresponding temperature scale is known as the the corresponding temperature scale is known as the absolute or Kelvin scale; the melting point of ice is 273 degrees absolute or Kelvin scale; the melting point of ice is 273 degrees Kelvin (0 degrees Celsius); the boiling point of water is 373 degrees Kelvin (0 degrees Celsius); the boiling point of water is 373 degrees Kelvin (100 degrees Celsius)Kelvin (100 degrees Celsius)

– Density – Density – density of a gas is the mass of the molecules in a given density of a gas is the mass of the molecules in a given volume; if the total mass of molecules in that volume decrease, the volume; if the total mass of molecules in that volume decrease, the density decreases; if the mass remains the same but the volume density decreases; if the mass remains the same but the volume increases, the density also decreases; the units of density are increases, the density also decreases; the units of density are expressed in terms of mass per unit volume; Figure 1-3expressed in terms of mass per unit volume; Figure 1-3

Example – Chapter 1Example – Chapter 1

– Pressure – Pressure – pressure is the force exerted by the moving molecules pressure is the force exerted by the moving molecules of the gas on a given area (square inch or square foot); pressure at of the gas on a given area (square inch or square foot); pressure at a point acts equally in all directions; a typical value of atmospheric a point acts equally in all directions; a typical value of atmospheric pressure at sea level is 14.7 pounds per square inch (1013.25 pressure at sea level is 14.7 pounds per square inch (1013.25 millibars, 29.92 inches of mercury)millibars, 29.92 inches of mercury)

– The Gas Law – The Gas Law – a unique characteristic of gases is that they obey a unique characteristic of gases is that they obey a physical principle known as the gas law, which can be written as:a physical principle known as the gas law, which can be written as:

P / DT = RP / DT = R P = pressureP = pressure D = densityD = density T = absolute temperatureT = absolute temperature R = constant number which is known from experiment and theory; R = constant number which is known from experiment and theory; R = universal gas constant = 8.3145 J/mol KR = universal gas constant = 8.3145 J/mol K

– The equation states that the ratio of pressure to the product of density and The equation states that the ratio of pressure to the product of density and temperature is always the same; if the pressure changes, then either the temperature is always the same; if the pressure changes, then either the density or the temperature or both must also change in order for the ratio to density or the temperature or both must also change in order for the ratio to remain constant; Figure 1-4; reduce pressure by cooling, reducing mass or remain constant; Figure 1-4; reduce pressure by cooling, reducing mass or increasing volume; the gas law makes the measurement of the gaseous increasing volume; the gas law makes the measurement of the gaseous state of the atmosphere much simpler; if we know any two of the three state of the atmosphere much simpler; if we know any two of the three variables that describe the gas, we can always calculate the third; in variables that describe the gas, we can always calculate the third; in practice, we usually measure pressure and temperature and deduce the practice, we usually measure pressure and temperature and deduce the density from the gas lawdensity from the gas law

Example – Chapter 1Example – Chapter 1

Section C: Atmospheric StructureSection C: Atmospheric Structure Dimensions Dimensions

– we are concerned with the size of the atmosphere and its we are concerned with the size of the atmosphere and its phenomena; How big? How high? How far? These are common phenomena; How big? How high? How far? These are common questions asked in regard to atmospheric description; in order to questions asked in regard to atmospheric description; in order to keep distances and altitudes in a meaningful context, it is keep distances and altitudes in a meaningful context, it is helpful to have some measuring sticks for reference; some of helpful to have some measuring sticks for reference; some of the most useful are the dimensions of the earth; Figure 1-5; the most useful are the dimensions of the earth; Figure 1-5; distance from pole to equator = 5,397 nm; 3,438 nm radius; distance from pole to equator = 5,397 nm; 3,438 nm radius; 21,625 nm circumference; Appendix A and units and 21,625 nm circumference; Appendix A and units and conversions commonly used in aviation meteorology in the US; conversions commonly used in aviation meteorology in the US; page 1-7 page 1-7

Atmospheric LayersAtmospheric Layers– Temperature Layers Temperature Layers

Troposphere – Troposphere – in the lowest layer of the atmosphere, the average in the lowest layer of the atmosphere, the average temperature decreases with altitude; the great majority of the clouds temperature decreases with altitude; the great majority of the clouds and weather occurs in the troposphere; trope = turn or change; and weather occurs in the troposphere; trope = turn or change; there are often strong vertical air motions; the stability of the there are often strong vertical air motions; the stability of the stratosphere and instability of the troposphere are related directly to stratosphere and instability of the troposphere are related directly to the variation of temperature with altitude in those layers the variation of temperature with altitude in those layers

Example – Chapter 1Example – Chapter 1– Tropopause – Tropopause – the top of the troposphere is about 36,000 feet above mean sea level the top of the troposphere is about 36,000 feet above mean sea level

(MSL), in middle latitudes; this upper boundary (a level, not a layer) is known as the (MSL), in middle latitudes; this upper boundary (a level, not a layer) is known as the tropopause; the temperature often reaches a minimum value at this altitude; the tropopause; the temperature often reaches a minimum value at this altitude; the tropopause is a important atmospheric feature for pilots because of its connection to a tropopause is a important atmospheric feature for pilots because of its connection to a variety of weather phenomena such as jet streams, clear air turbulence and variety of weather phenomena such as jet streams, clear air turbulence and thunderstorms; the altitude of the tropopause varies with latitude and season; the thunderstorms; the altitude of the tropopause varies with latitude and season; the tropopause is lower near the poles and in winter; it is higher near the equator and in tropopause is lower near the poles and in winter; it is higher near the equator and in summersummer

– Stratosphere – Stratosphere – as we move upward from the tropopause to the stratosphere as we move upward from the tropopause to the stratosphere temperature tends to change slowly at first and then increase with altitude; air in the temperature tends to change slowly at first and then increase with altitude; air in the stratosphere is confined to move more or less horizontally in strata or layers; the stability stratosphere is confined to move more or less horizontally in strata or layers; the stability of the stratosphere and instability of the troposphere are related directly to the variation of the stratosphere and instability of the troposphere are related directly to the variation of temperature with altitude in those layersof temperature with altitude in those layers

– Stratopause – Stratopause – at the top of the stratosphere is the stratopause; it occurs at an altitude at the top of the stratosphere is the stratopause; it occurs at an altitude of about 160,000 feet MSL; the temperature reaches a maximum value at this heightof about 160,000 feet MSL; the temperature reaches a maximum value at this height

– Mesosphere – Mesosphere – immediately above the stratopause is the mesosphere, a layer where the immediately above the stratopause is the mesosphere, a layer where the temperature again decreases with height; the mesosphere extends to a height of slightly temperature again decreases with height; the mesosphere extends to a height of slightly more than 280,000 feet MSL, where the mesopause and the coldest temperatures in the more than 280,000 feet MSL, where the mesopause and the coldest temperatures in the diagram are located; Figure 1-8diagram are located; Figure 1-8

– Mesopause – Mesopause – located at slightly more than 280,000 feet MSL, where the mesopause and located at slightly more than 280,000 feet MSL, where the mesopause and the coldest temperatures are locatedthe coldest temperatures are located

– Thermosphere - Thermosphere - the highest layer in the model atmosphere; temperatures generally the highest layer in the model atmosphere; temperatures generally increase with altitude in this layer; the number of air molecules is so small at these very increase with altitude in this layer; the number of air molecules is so small at these very high levels that an average kinetic energy of the air molecules does not have much high levels that an average kinetic energy of the air molecules does not have much meaning; objects in space at such heights have temperatures that are more closely meaning; objects in space at such heights have temperatures that are more closely related to radiation gain on the sun-facing side of the object and radiation loss on the related to radiation gain on the sun-facing side of the object and radiation loss on the opposite side opposite side

Example – Chapter 1Example – Chapter 1 Other LayersOther Layers

– Ozone layer – Ozone layer – sometimes called the ozonosphere; is found in the sometimes called the ozonosphere; is found in the lower stratosphere; it is characterized by a relatively high lower stratosphere; it is characterized by a relatively high concentration of O3 with maximum concentrations near 80,000 feet concentration of O3 with maximum concentrations near 80,000 feet MSL; the temperature maximum near the stratopause is due to the MSL; the temperature maximum near the stratopause is due to the absorption of solar radiation by the ozone; Figure 1-8absorption of solar radiation by the ozone; Figure 1-8

– Ozone hole – Ozone hole – region of the ozone layer with lower-than-normal O3 region of the ozone layer with lower-than-normal O3 concentration; especially noticeable over the South Pole in spring concentration; especially noticeable over the South Pole in spring months (September to December); the ozone hole is created when months (September to December); the ozone hole is created when pollutants, in particular man-made chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), reach pollutants, in particular man-made chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), reach stratospheric levels; solar radiation at those altitudes is intense stratospheric levels; solar radiation at those altitudes is intense enough to break the CFCs down so that the chlorine is free to destroy enough to break the CFCs down so that the chlorine is free to destroy ozone moleculesozone molecules

– Ionosphere – Ionosphere – a deep layer of charged particles (ions and free a deep layer of charged particles (ions and free electrons) that extends from the lower mesosphere upward through electrons) that extends from the lower mesosphere upward through the thermosphere; Figure 1-8; the production of charged particles the thermosphere; Figure 1-8; the production of charged particles occurs at those altitudes because incoming solar radiation has occurs at those altitudes because incoming solar radiation has sufficient energy to strip electrons from atoms and molecules; AM sufficient energy to strip electrons from atoms and molecules; AM radio waves are reflected and/or absorbed by different sub layers of radio waves are reflected and/or absorbed by different sub layers of the ionosphere; radio communications may be greatly influenced by the ionosphere; radio communications may be greatly influenced by variations in the lower part of the ionosphere at sunrise and sunset variations in the lower part of the ionosphere at sunrise and sunset and during periods of greater solar activityand during periods of greater solar activity

Example – Chapter 1Example – Chapter 1

Other Layers - ContinuedOther Layers - Continued– ******In the lower troposphere, pressure decreases about 1 In the lower troposphere, pressure decreases about 1

inch of mercury (about 34 mb) for each thousand feet of inch of mercury (about 34 mb) for each thousand feet of altitude gainaltitude gain

Standard Atmosphere Standard Atmosphere – the standard atmosphere, also called the international the standard atmosphere, also called the international

standard atmosphere (ISA), is an idealized atmosphere standard atmosphere (ISA), is an idealized atmosphere with specific vertical distributions of pressure, with specific vertical distributions of pressure, temperature, and density prescribed by international temperature, and density prescribed by international agreement; the standard atmosphere is used for several agreement; the standard atmosphere is used for several aerospace applications, such as determining altitude aerospace applications, such as determining altitude from pressure altimeters; the ISA for the lower from pressure altimeters; the ISA for the lower stratosphere and troposphere is shown graphically in stratosphere and troposphere is shown graphically in Figure 1-10 where the majority of aircraft operations Figure 1-10 where the majority of aircraft operations take placetake place

– ***In the ISA troposphere, the temperature decreases 2 ***In the ISA troposphere, the temperature decreases 2 degrees Celsius for each 1,000-foot increase in altitudedegrees Celsius for each 1,000-foot increase in altitude