Vision for Aviation Services Digital Products

Vision for Aviation Services Vision for Aviation Services Digital ProductsDigital Products

Jack May, DirectorJack May, Director

Aviation Weather CenterAviation Weather Center

February 9, 2003February 9, 2003

OutlineOutline

• Products TodayProducts Today

• Why Aviation is Different Why Aviation is Different (Difficult)(Difficult)

• In the mean time… (Interim In the mean time… (Interim Activities)Activities)

Present ProductsPresent Products

• TAFTAF

• Area ForecastsArea Forecasts

• AIRMET/SIGMETAIRMET/SIGMET

• Significant Weather GraphicSignificant Weather Graphic

• Transcribed Weather Enroute Forecast Transcribed Weather Enroute Forecast (TWEB)(TWEB)

• Route Forecast (ROFOR)Route Forecast (ROFOR)

Examples: Current Product SuiteExamples: Current Product Suite

KATL 201730Z 201818 27015G24KT P6SM KATL 201730Z 201818 27015G24KT P6SM BKN035BKN035 TEMPO 2124 SCT035TEMPO 2124 SCT035 FM0000 25010KT P6SM SCT035FM0000 25010KT P6SM SCT035 FM0600 25008KT P6SM SCT030FM0600 25008KT P6SM SCT030 TEMPO 0812 BKN030TEMPO 0812 BKN030 FM1200 25010KT P6SM BKN020FM1200 25010KT P6SM BKN020 TEMPO 1215 4SM BRTEMPO 1215 4SM BR FM1500 25012KT P6SM BKN020=FM1500 25012KT P6SM BKN020=

Examples: Current Product SuiteExamples: Current Product Suite

• Area ForecastsArea Forecasts• Boston FABoston FA

SYNOPSIS...AT 18Z CDFNT 100 NW NRN ME-ERN LH-SYNOPSIS...AT 18Z CDFNT 100 NW NRN ME-ERN LH-NRN WI. TROF SRN ME CSTLN-CAPE COD-FAR SERN NRN WI. TROF SRN ME CSTLN-CAPE COD-FAR SERN VA. BY 12Z CDFNT ME-CSTLN-SRN VT-CNTRL LE-SRN VA. BY 12Z CDFNT ME-CSTLN-SRN VT-CNTRL LE-SRN WI. LOW OVR MD CSTL WTRS WITH STNR FNT TO ERN WI. LOW OVR MD CSTL WTRS WITH STNR FNT TO ERN NC..ALSO XTNDG NEWD FROMLOW. ..HENDERSON.. NC..ALSO XTNDG NEWD FROMLOW. ..HENDERSON..

ME NH VTME NH VTNRN ME…BKN070 TOPS 090. 00Z SCT060. 05Z SKC. NRN ME…BKN070 TOPS 090. 00Z SCT060. 05Z SKC. OTLK…VFR.OTLK…VFR.NH VT SRN ME…SCT070. 23Z SKC OCNL SCT CI. NH VT SRN ME…SCT070. 23Z SKC OCNL SCT CI. OTLK…VFR BECMG MVFR VLYS 08Z.OTLK…VFR BECMG MVFR VLYS 08Z.

MA RI CTMA RI CTSCT050. 23Z SCT-BKN CI. OTLK…VFRSCT050. 23Z SCT-BKN CI. OTLK…VFR

NY LONY LOLO WRN/CNTRL/NERN NY…SCT060. 23Z SCT CI. OTLK…LO WRN/CNTRL/NERN NY…SCT060. 23Z SCT CI. OTLK…VFRVFR PA NJPA NJSCT060. 00Z SCT-BKN CI. OTLK…MVFR BRSCT060. 00Z SCT-BKN CI. OTLK…MVFR BR

MA DC DE VAMA DC DE VAMD DC DE NRN VA…SCT060 SCT-BKN100 TOPS TO MD DC DE NRN VA…SCT060 SCT-BKN100 TOPS TO 150. ISOL SHRA. OTLK…MVFR BR150. ISOL SHRA. OTLK…MVFR BRSWRN/S CNTRL/SERN VA…BKN-OVC030-040 LYRD TO SWRN/S CNTRL/SERN VA…BKN-OVC030-040 LYRD TO 150. VIS OCNL 4-5SM SHRA. WDLY SCT TSRA SWRN 150. VIS OCNL 4-5SM SHRA. WDLY SCT TSRA SWRN VA…ISOLVA…ISOL

Examples: Current Product SuiteExamples: Current Product Suite• AIRMETsAIRMETs

– SierraSierra

– TangoTango

– ZuluZulu

AIRMET SIERRA UPDT 4 FOR IFR AND MTN OBSN VALID AIRMET SIERRA UPDT 4 FOR IFR AND MTN OBSN VALID UNTIL 262000UNTIL 262000AIRMET MTN OBSCN…WV VAAIRMET MTN OBSCN…WV VAFROM EKN TO CSN TO 30N GSO TO HMV TO 40 WSW FROM EKN TO CSN TO 30N GSO TO HMV TO 40 WSW BKW TO EKN…MTNS OCNL OBSCD BY CLDS/PCPN BR. BKW TO EKN…MTNS OCNL OBSCD BY CLDS/PCPN BR. CONDS END 16-18Z.CONDS END 16-18Z.

AIRMET IFR…VAAIRMET IFR…VAFROM RIC TO ORF TO 40NE RDU TO HMV TO PSK TO RICFROM RIC TO ORF TO 40NE RDU TO HMV TO PSK TO RICOCNL CIG BLW 010/VIS BLS 3SM BR. CONDS ENDG 15-OCNL CIG BLW 010/VIS BLS 3SM BR. CONDS ENDG 15-16Z.16Z.ELSW… NO WDSPRD IFR EXP.ELSW… NO WDSPRD IFR EXP.

AIRMET TANGO UPDT 2 FOR TURB VALID UNTIL 262000AIRMET TANGO UPDT 2 FOR TURB VALID UNTIL 262000AIRMET TURB…NH VT MA RI CT NY LE LO PA OHAIRMET TURB…NH VT MA RI CT NY LE LO PA OHFROM MPV TO BOS TO ACK TO SAX TO JST TO HNN TO FROM MPV TO BOS TO ACK TO SAX TO JST TO HNN TO CVG TO FWA TO DXO…OCNL MOD TURB BTN FL280 AND CVG TO FWA TO DXO…OCNL MOD TURB BTN FL280 AND FL350 DUE TO WIND SHEAR ASSOCD WITH JTST. CONDS FL350 DUE TO WIND SHEAR ASSOCD WITH JTST. CONDS ENDG 20Z.ENDG 20Z.RMNDR…NO SGFNT TURB EXP EX INVOF CNVTV ACT.RMNDR…NO SGFNT TURB EXP EX INVOF CNVTV ACT.

AIRMET ZULU UPDT 2 FOR ICE AND FRZLVL VALID UNTIL 262000.AIRMET ZULU UPDT 2 FOR ICE AND FRZLVL VALID UNTIL 262000.NO SGFNT ICE EXP OUTSIDE OF CNVTV ACT.NO SGFNT ICE EXP OUTSIDE OF CNVTV ACT.FRZLVL…120-130 E OF YYZ-ERI-AIR-GSO LN..110-130 NRN FRZLVL…120-130 E OF YYZ-ERI-AIR-GSO LN..110-130 NRN ME..RMNDR 130-150.ME..RMNDR 130-150.

LOW LEVEL WEATHER CHARTLOW LEVEL WEATHER CHART

TWEBTWEB357 TWEB 111402 KBLI-KPAE-KSEA. 357 TWEB 111402 KBLI-KPAE-KSEA. ALL HGTS MSL XCP CIGS. ALL HGTS MSL XCP CIGS. KBLI-KPAE...P6SM SKC...TIL 18Z KNUW-KFHR KBLI-KPAE...P6SM SKC...TIL 18Z KNUW-KFHR AREAS VIS BLO 3SM BR/FG CIGS BLO OVC010 AREAS VIS BLO 3SM BR/FG CIGS BLO OVC010 TOPS 015. TOPS 015. KPAE-KSEA...P6SM SKC...W PTN OF RTE 8SW KPAE-KSEA...P6SM SKC...W PTN OF RTE 8SW KPAE-KPWT-KSHN-KTCM-KSEA-8SW KPAE WDSPRD KPAE-KPWT-KSHN-KTCM-KSEA-8SW KPAE WDSPRD VIS BLO 3SM BR/FG CIGS BLO OVC005 TOPS VIS BLO 3SM BR/FG CIGS BLO OVC005 TOPS 015...18Z P6SM SKC....KSHN-KOLM LCL VIS 015...18Z P6SM SKC....KSHN-KOLM LCL VIS BLO 3SM BR CIGS BLO OVC010 TOPS BLO 3SM BR CIGS BLO OVC010 TOPS 015...20Z P6SM SKC.015...20Z P6SM SKC.

ROFORROFOR

ROFOR VALID 16/23Z-17/01Z FOR ROUTE ROFOR VALID 16/23Z-17/01Z FOR ROUTE PHNL TO PJONPHNL TO PJONFT 10000 30000 34000 39000FT 10000 30000 34000 3900020.3N/ 2820P04 2965M31 3070M40 3170M51 20.3N/ 2820P04 2965M31 3070M40 3170M51 160.9W160.9W

19.0N/ 3215P05 2850M31 3055M41 3250M5219.0N/ 3215P05 2850M31 3055M41 3250M52164.3W164.3W

SIG WX...NIL.SIG WX...NIL.

Digital Aviation Forecasts in NDFDDigital Aviation Forecasts in NDFDWhy so slow?Why so slow?

• FAA writes the rules. Following systems must be FAA writes the rules. Following systems must be ready to accept new products:ready to accept new products:– AFSS Model IAFSS Model I

– AFSS OASISAFSS OASIS

– DUATsDUATs

– WARPWARP

– ADDS ADDS

– Traffic Situation DisplaysTraffic Situation Displays

– Training Across the BoardTraining Across the Board

Digital Aviation Forecasts in NDFDDigital Aviation Forecasts in NDFDWhy so slow?Why so slow?

• All of the players involved:All of the players involved:– NWSNWS

– FAAFAA• Flight Standards (Regulations, transmission, pilot training)Flight Standards (Regulations, transmission, pilot training)

• Air Traffic (ARTCC, ATCSCC, TRACON)Air Traffic (ARTCC, ATCSCC, TRACON)

• Flight Service StationsFlight Service Stations

• DUATsDUATs

– Aviation Organizations (AOPA, ALPA, ATA, SAMA, Aviation Organizations (AOPA, ALPA, ATA, SAMA, ADF)ADF)

– International Conventions (ICAO, WAFS, MSC)International Conventions (ICAO, WAFS, MSC)

Digital, Gridded Data RequirementsDigital, Gridded Data RequirementsWhy Aviation is DifferentWhy Aviation is Different

• Time ResolutionTime Resolution

• Vertical ResolutionVertical Resolution

• Weather TypeWeather Type– Cloud coverage or “cloud/no cloud”Cloud coverage or “cloud/no cloud”– Probability (in next 10 minutes?)Probability (in next 10 minutes?)

Digital Aviation RequirementsDigital Aviation Requirements

• Ceiling and Ceiling and Visibility every Visibility every 15 minutes15 minutes– Graphic shows Graphic shows

Airport Arrival Airport Arrival plan which is plan which is adjusted based adjusted based on forecast.on forecast.


• Wind direction and Wind direction and speed, every 5 speed, every 5 minutes.minutes.– Graphic shows planes Graphic shows planes

lined up to land at lined up to land at O’Hare and Midway O’Hare and Midway based on current based on current runway configuration.runway configuration.

Jan.20, 2003: 1730 UTCJan.20, 2003: 1730 UTCORD & MDW ArrivalsORD & MDW Arrivals


• In convection, every 10 In convection, every 10 minutes for the first hour.minutes for the first hour.

Mitre Corporation Automation-assisted Weather Mitre Corporation Automation-assisted Weather Problem Resolution Tool Problem Resolution Tool

Future Domestic Requirements Future Domestic Requirements Gridded Data (Draft)Gridded Data (Draft)

• Time ResolutionTime Resolution– Hours 0-3: 15 minutesHours 0-3: 15 minutes– Hours 3-24: 1 hourHours 3-24: 1 hour– Updates every 15 minutes.Updates every 15 minutes.

• Vertical ResolutionVertical Resolution– Surface-1,000 AGL: Every Surface-1,000 AGL: Every

100 feet100 feet– 1,000-3,000 feet: Every 200 1,000-3,000 feet: Every 200

feetfeet– 3,000 feet to FL650: Every 3,000 feet to FL650: Every

1,000 feet1,000 feet• Horizontal ResolutionHorizontal Resolution

– 2.5 km2.5 km

NWS Integrated Work NWS Integrated Work Team looking at very short Team looking at very short term aviation forecasts in a term aviation forecasts in a post IFPS/NDFD post IFPS/NDFD environmentenvironment

In the Meantime…In the Meantime…

What digital products exist or What digital products exist or are being developed today?are being developed today?

National Convective Weather National Convective Weather Forecast (NCWF)Forecast (NCWF)

BUFR BUFR FileFile

GRIB GRIB FileFile

Every Five Minutes!!!Every Five Minutes!!!

http://cdm.aviationweather.gov/ncwf/ncwf_wt/fpAnimswapImgFP4

Current Icing PotentialCurrent Icing Potential

Turbulence AGTATurbulence AGTA

AGTAAGTA

Ceiling and VisibilityCeiling and Visibility

http://www.rap.ucar.edu/projects/cvis/http://www.rap.ucar.edu/projects/cvis/

Graphical Area Forecast (GFA)Graphical Area Forecast (GFA)


• Replace current text Area Forecast as main Replace current text Area Forecast as main product.product.

• Text provided through product formattersText provided through product formatters– Using GAMET formatUsing GAMET format

• GFA replace hours 9-24 of non-GFA replace hours 9-24 of non-international TAFs.international TAFs.– Assumes higher TAF refresh rate 0-9 hours.Assumes higher TAF refresh rate 0-9 hours.

• Issued in BUFR formatIssued in BUFR format


• BUFRBUFR– Earth referenced ‘objects’. Not gridded.Earth referenced ‘objects’. Not gridded.

– Meets WMO/ICAO standard for earth-referenced Meets WMO/ICAO standard for earth-referenced objects.objects.

– Allows display of individual features at user discretion.Allows display of individual features at user discretion.

– Much lower traffic volume.Much lower traffic volume.• Requires user to ‘build’ product at destination.Requires user to ‘build’ product at destination.

– Already being done in the World Area Forecast System Already being done in the World Area Forecast System (WAFS)(WAFS)

Graphical Area Forecast ExperimentGraphical Area Forecast Experiment(GFAX)(GFAX)

• Graphical Area Forecasts on experimental Graphical Area Forecasts on experimental basis being prepared at AWC January 13-basis being prepared at AWC January 13-February 14.February 14.

• PurposePurpose– Identify the production tools required.Identify the production tools required.– Allow users to provide input on presentation.Allow users to provide input on presentation.– Produce products to help develop text Produce products to help develop text

formatters.formatters.

GFAX WebsiteGFAX Website

http://aviationweather.gov/gfax/http://aviationweather.gov/gfax/

http://aviationweather.gov/gfax/

N-AWIPSAWC creates

VGF filesdescribing GFA

features

Viewed byADDS user

ADDS ProcessorStandard Layer GraphicsRoute Tailored Graphics

Java & non-Java Displays

NWSTG

AWCCreatesGFA in

BUFR files

AWCCreatesGAMET

Text files

OASIS DisplayOASIS Processor

DUATsProcessor

DUATsDisplay

WARP Processor

Volpe/CDMNet

WSI CreatesImages

Model I

WARPDisplays

TrafficSituationDisplays

AWIPS

High End UserDisplays and

Decision Models

AWIPSDisplay

12/4/02 1.2

GFA Distribution Draft

High end usersPrivate Users

(e.g. WSI,Airlines, Harris)

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Create all needed fields usingNMAP FY2003-4

Convert VGF files BUFR filesFY2003-4

Convert VGF files into GAMETtext FY2003-4

Convert BUFR to format necessary tofacilitate display inquiries to ADDS for bothjava and non-java purposes. Date TBD

5 Convert BUFR files to facilitate MODEL Idisplays. Date TBD

6Convert BUFR to format necessary tofacilitate display and print inquiries to DUATs.Date TBD

7Convert BUFR to format necessary tofacilitate display inquiries from OASIS. DateTBD

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Required Process Development

Convert BUFR to format necessary tofacilitate display inquiries throughout WARPDate TBD

Convert BUFR to format necessary tofacilitate display inquiries on TSDs. Date TBD

Convert BUFR to format necessary tofacilitate display inquiries on AWIPS DateTBD

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Convert BUFR to format necessary tofacilitate display inquiries on N-AWIPS DateTBD

NCF

NOAAportSBN

Documents

Vision for Aviation Services Digital Products