Transcript AIR ENVIRONMENT CAPTAIN JERRY PAINTER (REVIEW, AEROSPACE DIMENSIONS, MODULE 3)

AIR ENVIRONMENT
(REVIEW, AEROSPACE DIMENSIONS, MODULE 3)
CHAPTERS 1 AND 2
CAPTAIN JERRY PAINTER
AEROSPACE EDUCATION OFFICER
COMPOSITE SQUADRON 316,
(CIVIL AIR PATROL)
CASA GRANDE, ARIZONA
TERMS TO KNOW
• CORIOLIS FORCE= DEFLECTS
MOVING OBJECT TO THE RIGHT.

ROTATION=EARTH ON AXIS AT AN
ANGLE OF 23 ½ DEGREES (WHILE
“REVOLVING” AROUND THE SUN).
• AUTUMNAL EQUINOX=SUN’S
DIRECT RAYS STRIKE THE EQUATOR
RESULTING IN DAY/NIGHT SAME
LENGTH (NORTHERN HEMISPHERE).
• SUMMER SOLSTICE=SUN
NORTHERNMOST FROM THE
EQUATOR (LONGEST DAY OF YEAR)
USUALLY JUNE 21-22ND.
• JET STREAM=“RIVER OF WIND”
THAT DEVELOPS AT 30-40,000 FEET
AND WINDS ACROSS THE U.S. (AND
• THE EARTH).
• VERNAL (SPRING) EQUINOX=SUN’S
RAYS STRIKE THE EQUATOR
RESULTING IN DAY AND NIGHT OF
EQUAL LENGTH (USUALLY MARCH
21ST/22ND.
• RADIATION=METHOD BY WHICH
SUN HEATS THE EARTH.
• REVOLUTION=THE MOVEMENT OF
THE EARTH AROUND THE SUN (365
DAYS=ONE REVOLUTION/ONE YEAR).
• WINTER SOLSTACE=SUN FARTHEST
SOUTH ODF EQUATOR, AND
NORTHERN HEMISPHERE. (DECEMBER
21ST/22ND).
• AUTUMNAL EQUINOX=SUN’S DIRECT
RAYS STRIKE EQUATOR RESULTING IN
DAY/NIGHT BEING EQUAL LENGTH
(USUALLY SEPTEMBER 22ND OR 23RD).
SOLAR RADIATION
• THE SUN’S HEATING OF THE EARTH
(SOLAR RADIATION) GIVES US OUR
VARIOUS WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE
THING TO REMEMBER IS THAT THE
SUN, FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS,
HEATS IN AN UNEVEN MANNER.
• UNEQUAL HEATING CREATES
“CIRCULATION” OR MOVEMENT OF
AIR. THIS “CIRCULATION” SETS THE
WHOLE WEATHER PROCESS IN
MOTION!!!.
• DAY/NIGHT, ROUGH/SMOOTH,
LIGHT/DARK, LAND/WATER RESULT
IN DIFFERENT HEATING.
• WITH RADIATION COMES HEATING,
AFTER THE SUN SETS, COOLING
RESULTS (DIFFERENT SURFACES
AGAIN, RESULT IN DIFFERING HEAT
LOSS!!!
ROTATION (DAY), REVOLUTION (YEAR)
• BELOW TOP: ROTATION=NIGHT/DAY
• BOTTOM LEFT: SUMMER/WINTER
• BOTTOM RIGHT: SPRING/FALL
• BELOW: THE YEAR
GENERAL WIND PATTERNS (CIRCULATION)
•
• THE WORLD-WIDE WIND SYSTEM
TRANSFERING HEAT BETWEEN
TROPICAL AND POLAR REGIONS.
• MOST HEAT IS IN EQUATORIAL
AREAS, HEAT RISES (NORTHWARD)
LEAVING LOW PRESSURE AREAS
BEHIND.
• NEAR 30 DEGREES NORTH AND
SOUTH OF EQUATOR, THIS WARM
AIR BEGINS COOLING AND SINKING.
MOST OF COOLING AIR MOVES BACK
TOWARD EQUATOR.
• BUT: SOME CONTINUES NORTH OR
SOUTH TO THE POLAR REGIONS
WHERE IT TOO, WILL BEGIN TO MOVE
SOUTH AGAIN!!
•
TRADE WINDS=AIR MOVEMENTS TO THE
EQUATOR,WARM,STEADY,
SEEN TO ABOUT 30 DEGREES NORTH AND SOUTH
•
•
TRADES MEET NEAR EQUATOR=
DOLDRUMS (BECALMED AREA)
•
•
•
PREVAILING WESTERLIES=30 TO 60
DEGREES NORTH (PRODUCE MOST
OF OUR WEATHER U.S./CANADA)
•
POLAR EASTERLIES=COOLING AIR OVER THE POLES
CORIOLIS FORCE (EARTH MOVES OUT
FROM UNDER THE AIRCRAFT!!!)
CORIOLIS
•
•
•
•
•
ABOVE: GENERAL CIRCULATION EQUATOR TO
THE POLES
LOWER RIGHT: HADLEY CIRCULATION
JUST BELOW: DIFFERING DEPICTION
OF HADLEY
AREAS OF OUR ATMOSPHERE
•
EXOSPHERE=NEAR
OUTERSPACE
SPACE
EXOSPHERE=NEAR OUTER
•
THERMOPAUSE=MERGES TO
THERMOPAUSE=MERGES
TOEXOSPER.
EXOSPER.
•
•
THERMOSPHERE=WARMING -100
THERMOSPHERE=WARMING
-100TOTO
+300 FF
+300
•
MESOPAUSE=MERGE TO
MESOPAUSE=MERGE
TOTHERMO.
THERMO.
•
•
•
MESOSPHERE =30 TO 50 MILES =30 TO
MESOSPHERE =30 TO 50 MILES =30 TO
-100 F
-100 F
STRATOPAUSE =MERGE TO MESOPHERE
STRATOPAUSE =MERGE TO MESOPHERE
•
•
STRATOSPHERE=DRY AND
STRATOSPHERE=DRY
AND TO =/-0 F
CLOUDLESS (10-30MILES)-50
•
TROPOPAUSE=TROPOSPHERE MERGES INTO THE
STRATOSPHERE
TROPOPAUSE=TROPOSPHERE
MERGES INTO THE
•
•
CLOUDLESS (10-30MILES)-50 TO =/-0 F
STRATOSPHERE
TROPOSPHERE=WHERE WE LIVE (SURFACE TO 40-50,000
FEET/10 MILES) +90 TO -60F
TROPOSPHERE=WHERE WE LIVE (SURFACE TO 4050,000
FEET/10 MILES) +90 TO -60F
(TEMPERATURE TRACE)
THE JETSTREAM
•
BELOW: THE JETSTREAM EXPLAINED!!!
•
NORMALLY CROSSES NORTH AMERICA
WEST TO EAST AT SOMEWHERE BETWEEN
30-40,000 FEET, 50 TO 100 MILES WIDE,
AND THOUSANDS OF MILES LONG.
•
DEVELOPS IN RESPONSE TO LARGE
TEMPERATURE DIF-FERENCES OVER A RELATIVELY SMALL
AREA (GRADIENT) CAUSEING LARGE
PRESSURE DIFFERENCES (GENERATING A
STRONG “RIVER” OF WIND IN THE
ATMOSPHERE).
•
•
JET WINDS USUALLY BETWEEN 100 AND
300 MPH WITH AN AVERAGE OF ABOUT
130 MPH. (SPEEDS APPROACHING 500
MPH HAVE BEEN NOTED!!!)
•
FLIGHTS OFTEN “RIDE” THE JETSTREAM
(WEST TO EAST) BUT CAN SUFFER IF
“FIGHTING THE STRONG FLOW (EAST TO
WEST!)
A SHORT REVIEW
• 1. THE SUN HEATS THE EARTH THROUGH A METHOD KNOWN
•
AS RADIATION.
• 2. AMOUNT OF SUN’S RADIATION ABSORBED BY EARTH’S
•
SURFACE IS 50%.
• 3. ON MARCH 21ST, (SPRING/VERNAL EQUINOX) THE SUN’S
•
RAYS WILL BE STRIKING THE EQUATOR.
• 4. A MOVING OBJECT (IN NORTHERN HEMISPHERE) BEING
•
DEFLECTED TO THE RIGHT OF INTENDED PATH IS KNOWN AS
•
THE CORIOLIS FORCE.
• 5. WARM, STEADY, NEAR CONTINUOUS WINDS MOVING TOWARD
THE EQUATOR ARE KNOWN AS THE TRADE WINDS.
AIR ENVIRONMENT
(REVIEW, AEROSPACE DIMENSIONS, MODULE 3)
CHAPTER 3
CAPTAIN JERRY PAINTER
AEROSPACE EDUCATION OFFICER
COMPOSITE SQUADRON 316,
(CIVIL AIR PATROL)
CASA GRANDE, ARIZONA
IMPORTANT TERMS, WEATHER ELEMENTS
• Condensation: The process of
converting water vapor to liquid
• Dew Point: The temperature at which
the air becomes saturated
• ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE=WEIGHT
OF ALL THE ATMOSPHERE’S
• GASES/MATTER ON EARTH’S SURFACE
(ABOUT 13#/SQ INCH)
• Fog: Tiny droplets of liquid water in
contact with the surface
• BEAUFORT SCALE=SCALE/METHOD
FOR ESTIMATING WIND
• SPEED (BOTH LAND AND SEA).
• Precipitation: General term given to
various types of condensed water
vapor
• HEAT=TOTAL ENERGY OF ALL
MOLECULES WITHIN A SUBSTANCE.
• Saturation: A parcel of air is holding
as much water vapor as it can
• Relative Humidity: Amount of water
vapor in the air compared to its water
vapor capacity at a given temperature
• WIND=BODY OF AIR IN MOTION.
• TEMPERATURE=MEASURE OF
MOLECULAR MOTION EXPRESSED ON
A MAN-MADE SCALE.
WIND AND HOW IT’S MEASURED
• GENERAL PUBLIC: MILES PER HOUR (STATUATE MILE, 5280 FT) AND DIRECTION
IS WHERE THE WIND IS MOVING FROM!
•
WEST
EAST SOUTH NORTH
• AVIATION, BOTH CIVIL/MILITARY: MEASURED IN KNOTS PER
• HOUR (KNOT=1.151 MILES PER HOUR OR, ABOUT 15% FASTER THAN
“STATUATE MILES” AT 6077 VS 5280 FEET).
• AN EXAMPLE: 35 STATUATE MPH=40.3 KNOTS “KPH”!!
• ESTIMATING THE WIND: FLAG NOT MOVING=CALM
• FLAG MOVING=10-20 MPH AND THE FLAG “STRAIGHT OUT”
• MEANS MORE THAN 30 MPH OR 26 KNOTS/PER HOUR.
• NEXT WE WILL LOOK AT THE BEAUFORT SCALE (SINCE 1805)
BEAUFORT WIND SCALE
•
Force 0
Strength: Calm
Speed: Less than 1 mile per hour (mph), less than 2 kilometers
per hour (kph)
Observations: Tree leaves don't move, smoke rises vertically,
sea is calm
Force 1
Strength: Light Air
Speed: 1-3 mph, 2-6 kph
Observations: Tree leaves don't move, smoke drifts slowly, sea
is lightly rippled
Force 2
Strength: Slight Breeze
Speed: 4-7 mph, 7-11 kph
Observations: Tree leaves rustle, flags wave slightly, small
wavelets or scale waves
Force 3
Strength: Gentle Breeze
Speed: 8-12 mph, 12-19 kph
Observations: Leaves and twigs in constant motion, small flags
extended, long un-breaking waves
Force 4
Strength: Moderate Breeze
Speed: 13-18 mph, 20-29 kph
Observations: Small branches move, flags flap, waves with
some whitecaps
Force 5
Strength: Fresh Breeze
Speed: 19-24 mph, 30-39 kph
Observations: Small trees sway, flags flap and ripple, moderate
waves with many whitecaps
•
Force 6
Strength: Strong Breeze
Speed: 25-31 mph, 40-50 kph
Observations: Large branches sway, flags beat and pop, larger
waves with regular whitecaps
Force 7
Strength: Moderate Gale
Speed: 32-38 mph, 51-61 kph
Observations: Whole trees sway, large waves ("heaping sea")
Force 8
Strength: Fresh Gale
Speed: 39-46 mph, 62-74
Observations: Twigs break off trees, moderately high sea with
blowing foam
Force 9
Strength: Strong Gale
Speed: 47-54 mph, 75-87 kph
Observations: Branches break off trees, shingles blown from
roofs, high crested waves
Force 10
Strength: Whole Gale
Speed: 55-63 mph, 88-101 kph
Observations: Some trees blown down, damage to buildings,
high churning white sea
Force 11
Strength: Storm
Speed: 64-74 mph, 101 kph-119 kph
Observations: Widespread damage to trees and buildings,
mountainous waves
Force 12
Strength: Hurricane
Speed: 75 mph or greater, 120 kph or greater
Observations: Severe and extensive damage
WIND CHILL (INDEX)
• WIND CHILL IS THE
COMPARISON OF
TEMPERATURE (OAT) AND
WIND SPEED TO EXPLAIN
“HOW COLD IT FEELS”!!!
• EXAMPLE: IF THE OUTSIDE
AIR TEMPERATURE IS +10
DEGREES F., AND THE WIND
IS AT 20 MPH OUR “WIND
CHILL READING” WILL BE
AROUND -24 DEGREES F.
• CALM WINDS MEAN THE OAT
(OUTSIDE AIR TEMP) AND
“CHILL INDEX READING” WILL
BE THE SAME
HEAD/TAIL/CROSS WINDS
• AIRCRAFT TAKE-OFF INTO THE WIND
AS THE “HEADWIND” WILL INCREASE
THE LIFT ALLOWING A SHORTER AND
SAFER TAKE-OFF ROLL.
• WINDS AT AN ANGLE (CROSS-WINDS)
CAN BE DANGEROUS (CAN FLIP AN
AIRCRAFT). THESE WINDS ACTUALLY
STRIKE AIRCRAFT SIDE RATHER THAN
FRONT OR TAIL!!
• TAKING OFF WITH THE WIND
(DOWNWIND) ROBS THE BIRD OF
LIFT AND, AT BEST, LENGTHENS THE
TAKE-OFF ROLL. AT WORST, ONE MAY
RUN OUT OF RUNWAY PRIOR TO LIFT
OFF!!!
•
•
BELOW: NOTE THE LEFT WING
DRAGGING ON THE GROUND!!!
OTHER FACTORS OF THE WIND
• FIGURING THE WIND AS WE FLIGHT PLAN!!!!
•
TAILWIND
PLANE
• 1. TAILWIND
FRONT IF THE AIRCRAFT IS
•
TRAVELING AT 140 KNOTS (OVER THE GROUND SPEED), ANY
•
TAILWIND IS ADDED (SAY 20 KNOTS). THIS MEANS THAT OUR
•
“OVER THE GROUND SPEED IS 140KTS + THE ADDITIONAL
•
20KTS ON THE TAIL = GROUND SPEED NOW 160 KNOTS.
•
DIR. OF MOVMNT
PLANE FRONT
HEADWIND
• 2. HEADWIND
IF THE PLANE
•
IS MOVING AT 140 KTS RELATIVE TO THE GROUND, AND
•
HEAD-WIND INCREASES TO 20 KNOTS, THIS WILL BE
•
SUBTRACTED; OVER THE GROUND SPEED WILL BE ONLY 120
•
KNOTS.
•
THUNDERSTORMS & “DOWNBURSTS
•
•
DOWNDRAFTS MAY EXCEED 130 KNOTS, NOT USUALLY
CATASTROPHIC AT ALTITUDE, BUT VERY CRITICAL IN THE
LIFT-OFF AND LET-DOWN PHASES, MAY NOT BE TIME TO
RECOVER FROM SEVERE DOWNDRAFTS PUSHING THE
AIRCRAFT!!!
AT MID LEVEL ALTITUDE MODERATE TO SEVERE
TURBULENCE , HAIL, LIGHTENING, ST. ELMO’S FIRE (“BALL
LIGHTENING”), AND HARD HADLING CAN BE THE CASE.
•
•
BELOW: THE THUNDERSTORM
AND THE DOWNDRAFT
(“DOWNBURST”)
TEMPERATURE & TEMP FORMULA’S
• UNEVEN HEATING OF THE EARTH’S
SURFACE CREATES TEMPERATURE
AND PRESSURE DIFFERENCES WHICH
CAUSE THE AIR TO “MOVE”!!
• HEAT IN BASIC FORM IS: ENERGY
(TOTAL ENERGY OF MOLECULES
WITHIN A SUBSTANCE).
• MOLECULES IN MOTION DUE TO
UNEVEN HEATING.
• HEAT IS A RELATIVE TERM
(ESPECIALLY WHEN PRESENTED AS
“TEMPERATURE”!!!
• MEASURE OF MOLECULAR MOTION
EXPRESSED ON MAN-MADE SCALE IN
EITHER FAHRENHEIT (F), CELSIUS (C)
SOMETIMES CALLED “CENTIGRADE”,
OR KELVIN (K).
• FAHRENHEIT’S FREEZING=+32
DEGREES, BOILING POINT=+212.
• CELSIUS FREEZING=+/- 0 DEGREES,
BOILING POINT=100 DEGREES.
• KELVIN FREEZING=273 DEGREES,
BOILING POINT=373 DEGREES (KELVIN
USED FOR SCIENTIFIC PURPOSES)
• CONVERSION BETWEEN FAHRENHEIT
AND CELSIUS IS EASY WITH A
FORMULA.
•
F=(1.8 x C)+32 OR C=(F1/8)32 OR
• F= 9/5C + 32
• EXAMPLE: IF C=100 IN THE ABOVE
FORMULA, THEN F=212
• A FINAL WAY (RULE OF THUMB) TAKE
TEMP “C”, DOUBLE IT AND THEN
SUBTRACT 10%, FINALLY ADDING 32.
TEMPERATURE EXTREMES
•
•
EXTREME TEMPERATURE’S, EITHER HOT OR
COLD, WILL CAUSE
PROBLEMS AND CAN BECOME CATASTROPHIC
TO AVIATION!
•
EXTREME COLD: OIL AND FUEL THICKENS,
METAL BECOMES BRITTLE. PEOPLE SUFFER
FROSTBITE IN AS LITTLE AS 30 SECS.!!
•
IN ALASKA, SMALLER AIRCRAFT CEASE
OPERATIONS BY MINUS -30 F.
•
ALL COMMERCIAL (JETS) FLIGHTS ARE
GROUNDED BY -40 F. ALL ROUTINE MILITARY
AVIATION ALSO STOPS AT -40 F.
•
EXTREME HEAT: LUBRICANTS THIN OUT, SUB
UNITS CAN FAIL.
• WORLDS HIGHEST: 136 DEGREES,
EL AZIZA, LIBYA 09/13/1922
• U.S. HIGHEST: 134 DEGREES,
FURNACE CREEK (DEATH VALLEY)
CALIFORNIA 07/10/1913
• WORLDS LOWEST: -108 DEGREES F,
RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC SITE
• LOWESTED POPULATED:
OYMYAKON, YAKUTIA PROV.,
NORTH CENTRAL SIBERIA -90.4 F,
JAN. 1927
– THINNER AIR CAUSES LESS LIFT AND TAKEOFF ROLL IS EXTENDED, AS MUCH AS
DOUBLE OR MORE.
• NORTH AMERICA: -84 F, SNAG,
YUKON TER., CD. 1942
– JET AIRCRAFT ARE AFFECTED MORE
BECAUSE THE THINNER AIR THROUGH
– THE ENGINE ALSO CAUSES LESS POWER
GENERATION ALONG WITH THE
DECREASED LIFT.
•
•
•
U.S. ALASKA: -80 F, PROSPECT CREEK,
ALASKA
LOWER 48: -66 F, RIVERSIDE WYOMING
MINNESOTA -64 F, EMBARRASS,
PRESSURE INSTRUMENTS (BAROMETERS)
• PRESSURE DIFFERENCES ALSO
CREATED BY UNEVEN HEATING!!
•
•
• ALL ATMOS. GASES HAVE
MOLECULAR ENERGY AND WEIGHT,
• WEIGHT PRESSES DOWN ON EARTH’S
SURFACE.
• MEASURED WITH BAROMETER,
(MERCURIAL ) AND SOME ARE
“SPRING LOADED” WITH WEIGHTS.
MEASURED IN “INCHES OF
MERCURY” (AVG IS 29.92 INCHES). A
RECORDING BAROMETER IS A
“BAROGRAPH”.
• MERCURY BAROMETERS SCIENTIFIC,
WEATHER STATIONS MAY HAVE THEM
BUT WILL DEFINATLY HAVE AN
ANEROID BAROMETER AND A
BAROGRAPH.
BELOW, LEFT & RIGHT: MERCURY BAROMETER,
ANEROID BAROMETER,
BOTTOM RIGHT: RECORDING ANEROID
BAROMETER
ALTIMETER (ANEROID BAROMETER)
• STANDARD ALTIMETER: IT’S AN
“ANEROID BAROMETER” CALIBRATED
IN FEET INSTEAD OF SEA LEVEL
PRESSURE IN INCHES OR MILLIBARS
• NOTE THE SMALL WINDOW WITH 29.9
AND 30.0.
• ONE TURNS THE BLACK KNOB UNTIL
THE STANDARD ATMOSPHERIC
PRESSURE SHOWS IN THE LITTLE
WINDOW. AT THAT TIME, THE PROPER
PRESSURE WILL INDICATE IN FEET
HOW HIGH ONE IS!!!
ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
• BAROMETRIC EXTREMES:
• HUMAN SENSITIVITY
• AVERAGE WORLD WIDE
PRESSURE= 29.92 INCHES OR
1013.2
• WE TO, ARE SENSITIVE TO
ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
CHANGES, HERE’S A COUPLE OF
EXAMPLES!!!
• HIGHEST: AGATA USSR
(SIBERIA) 32.01 INCHES, TEMP 55 F 12/31/1968
• LOWEST: 25.69 INCHES
10/12/1979, TYPHOON “TIP”
(NEAR CLARK AB, PHILIPPINES)
• LOWEST U.S.: 27.13 INCHES AT
ST. PAUL ISLAND ALASKA 250
MILES OUT IN BERING SEA
(WINDS WERE 122 KTS)
• OUR EARS REACT TO THE
CHANGES AS AN AIRPLANE
“CLIMBS OUT” OR “LETS
DOWN”, ESPECIALLY IF WE
HAVE A COLD AND OUR EAR
PASSAGES MAY BE BLOCKED!!!
• IF WE HAVE AN EAR INFECTION,
VERY REAL PAIN WILL BE FELT
IN THESE CONDITIONS!!!
A SHORT REVIEW!!!
• 1. TOTAL ENERGY OF ALL MOLECULES IN A SUBSTANCE IS
•
CALLED “HEAT”!!!!
• 2. THE INSTRUMENT THAT RECORDS PRESSURE VALUES IS
•
AN “ANEROID BAROGRAPH”!!!
• 3. A FULLY EXTENDED FLAG USUALLY INDICATES A WIND
•
OF AROUND “30 MPH OR MORE”!!!
• 4. WHEN TALKING OF WIND AND TEMPERATURE (HOW
•
COLD IT REALLY FEELS) WE ARE DISCUSSING
•
“WIND CHILL”!!!
• 5. FAHRENHEIT’S BOILING POINT IS: 100 OR 212 DEGREES.
AIR ENVIRONMENT
(REVIEW, AEROSPACE DIMENSIONS, MODULE 3)
CHAPTER 3
CAPTAIN JERRY PAINTER
AEROSPACE EDUCATION OFFICER
COMPOSITE SQUADRON 316,
(CIVIL AIR PATROL)
CASA GRANDE, ARIZONA
•
•
•
•
•
TERMS; THEN MOISTURE
IMPORTANT TERMS
Condensation: The process of converting water
vapor to liquid
Dew Point: The temperature at which the air
becomes saturated
Fog: Tiny droplets of liquid water in contact with
the surface
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Precipitation: General term given to various types
of condensed water vapor
•
•
•
Saturation: A parcel of air is holding as much
water vapor as it can
Relative Humidity: Amount of water vapor in the
air compared to its water vapor capacity at a given
temperature
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
MOISTURE
Without moisture in the atmosphere, weather
could not exist.
Most important element in the development of
the weather.
Main component for clouds, rain, snow and fog.
Moisture exists in three states: 1. SOLID 2. LIQUID
3. GAS
As a gas, it’s called WATER VAPOR (Always present
in atmosphere)
When air gets to the point where it is holding all
water possible, SATURATION is reached
SATURATION defined as the air holding as much
water vapor as possible
Temperature where air becomes saturated is called
the “DEW POINT” (Not Fixed)
If temperature decreases below its dew point,
CONDENSATION occurs.
Converting water vapor to a liquid forms CLOUDS
and/or FOG!!
FOG
• As mentioned earlier, one A form
of condensation
• Is FOG
•
• Composed of tiny droplets of
water, layer in contact with Earths
surface, FOG is actually a CLOUD
• touching the ground.
•
• Fog forms when the temperature
and dew point are within five
degrees of each other with very
light winds
• Pilots frequently encounter fog,
it’s mostly dangerous during
takeoffs and landings due to
VISIBILITY restrictions
• Pilots encountering FOG usually
use their instruments (IFR Flight
Rules) to avoid ground objects.
• LEFT TO RIGHT: FOG, FOG LIFTING,
•
AND ABOVE THE FOG!
CLOUD DESCRIPTIONS
•
CLOUDS IN GENERAL
•
Clouds result from condensation and are
made up of minute droplets of water or
tiny crystals of ice, or both.
•
•
•
•
•
•
Clouds are visible indications of what is
going on with the weather.
The more we learn about clouds, the more
we learn about what to expect from the
WEATHER!!.
Three basic cloud forms, and Clouds are
classified by both appearance and height
•
Cumulus clouds, normally white, billowy,
puffy clouds “Cotton Balls” Cumulus
(normally) is a fair weather cloud indicating
good weather.
•
(Left)
• Stratus has a uniform appearance,
often thin with little vertical
development. It is sheet-like in
appearance. Stratus is gray, not white.
Cumulus and stratus are found low in
the sky and close to the ground
(surface to about 6,500 feet). (Below)
• Cirrus Clouds
• Cirrus clouds are high, usually at or
above 20,000 feet. Tend to be white,
thin, wispy clouds, in patches,
filaments, hooks or bands. Because of
their height, they are mainly
composed of ice crystals. (Below)
BASIC CLOUDS, THEN THUNDERSTORMS
• Ten basic cloud types come
from the three basic cloud
forms.
• These ten basic cloud types are
accepted as the world's main
cloud types.
•
• We will see what they look like
and get a feel for differences.
•
• Nimbostratus produces STEADY
rain that can last for hours.
• Cumulonumbus clouds produce
thunderstorms with their
lightning.
•
• This cloud also produces heavy
rain showers, strong winds,
hail and even tornadoes.
•
• Thunder, Lightning and Hail are
only from the Cumulonimbus
type cloud
• It’s a VERTICAL Climber!!!
CLOUDS WITHIN THE ATMOSPHERE
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
HIGH CLOUD
ABOVE
6000MTR
20000 FT.
________
MID LEVEL
2000-6000
METERS
•
•
6500 TO
20,000 FT.
•
•
•
•
•
________
LOW CLOUDS
BELOW
6000 FT
2000 MTR
CLOUD HAZARDS AND TURBULENCE
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Another feature of Cumulonimbus is the
Mammatus development
This feature occurs at the base of the
cloud, looks like bulges or pouches.
Mammatus formations indicate that
instability of the atmosphere is in the
area
Tornadoes often originate within these
clouds.
These clouds indicate severe weather
nearby in almost all cases
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Normally, clouds do not present a
problem for airplanes
•
•
Obviously, an exception to this is the
Cumulonimbus cloud.
•
•
Pilots WILL NOT knowingly fly into
Thunderstorms or Tornadoes.
In general, cumulus clouds are associated with a flight
hazard known as Turbulence.
Turbulence is an unrest or disturbance of the air. It
refers to the instability of the air.
Turbulence is the motion of the air that affects the
smoothness.
Unstable air is turbulent air, whereas stable air is
smooth with very little turbulence.
Cumulus clouds are formed by convection, which is
defined as warm air rising.
This rising warm air comes in contact with cooler air
causing the Turbulence.
Pilots know they may encounter turbulence when they
fly through Cumulus clouds.
Pilots also know that turbulence can cause very
bumpy rides or even damage, especially in smaller
planes.
CONDENSATION BRINGS RAIN, ICE
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Precipitation is the general term given to types of
condensed water vapor such as rain, snow or ice.
•
Precipitation falling to the ground as a liquid is called rain.
Rain is measured with a rain gauge.
•
•
Precipitation affects flying through the pilot's visibility and
runway conditions. The harder it rains/snows, the more
visibility is reduced and precipitation will make the runway
wet.
These many basic aspects of weather can have farreaching impacts on flying.
Precipitation reaching the ground, freezing upon contact
with various surfaces, such as the ground, a highway or
cars is called freezing rain.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Freezing rain can AND WILL, cause hazardous
conditions.
Ice on car windshields is hard to scrape, but on a
highway it is a major problem for motorists and on a
runway it can be a disaster.
Ice creates huge problems for aircraft.
Ice on the runway can raise havoc as a plane tries
to land.
The plane can lose directional control and take
longer to come to a full stop which may cause
accidents.
Ice creates huge problems for aircraft.
•
Ice on the runway can raise havoc as a plane tries
to land.
Critical condition: Ice in the airplane's engine
(Carburetor Icing)
•
Ice forming in the carburetor will reduce or stop
fuel flow to engine.
The plane can lose directional control and take
longer to come to a full stop which may cause
accidents.
Precipitation reaching the ground, freezing upon
contact with various surfaces, such as the ground,
a highway or cars is called freezing rain.
•
•
•
•
Carburetor heat is applied to help solve the ice
problem.
Ice can also form on a plane's windshield,
propeller or wings.
ICING, HAZARDS & BOTTOM RIGHT WILL “CRASH”
YOU
•
POINTS TO REMEMBER
• If left to accumulate, it will
cause weight, lift and visibility
problems.
•
• Pilots will quickly change flying
altitude to get away from the
ice.
• Weather Forecasters brief
pilots on possible icy
conditions before they take off.
• Moisture is most important
element when it comes to
developing weather.
• The amount of moisture in the
atmosphere along with
temperature and humidity
determines whether saturation
or condensation is reached.
• There are three basic cloud
forms: cumulus, stratus and
cirrus.
A FEW FOR REVIEW !!!!!!!!
• 1. A parcel of air holding all of the water it can defines
•
Saturation.
• 2. The temperature at which air becomes saturated is called
•
Dew Point.
• 3. What are the three basic cloud forms?
•
Cumulus, Stratus and Cirrus
• 4. Which cloud has a uniform, sheet-like appearance with very
little vertical development?
•
Stratus
• 5. True/False Moisture in the form of a gas is called condensation.
• 6. True/False A cloud touching the ground is called fog.
AIR ENVIRONMENT
(REVIEW, AEROSPACE DIMENSIONS, MODULE 3)
CHAPTER 4
CAPTAIN JERRY PAINTER
AEROSPACE EDUCATION OFFICER
COMPOSITE SQUADRON 316,
(CIVIL AIR PATROL)
CASA GRANDE, ARIZONA
CHAPTER 4
•WEATHER
•SYSTEMS
•
AND
• WEATHER CHANGES
WEATHER TERMS TO KNOW
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
When the Weather “Guy” on “TV” talks of
a large weather system/pattern moving
into your area, he is talking of an air mass
or a front.
• HURRICANE: Tropical cyclone (low
pressure) with strong winds, heavy
rain and possible Thunderstorms
/Tornadoes.
An approaching air mass or front will
influence and change the weather in your
area.
• HURRICANE: Tropical cyclone (low
pressure) with strong winds, heavy
rain and possible Thunderstorms
/Tornadoes.
We also take a look at severe weather and
some of their effects.
NOW, SOME TERMS!!
AIR MASS: Huge body of air with the
same temperature and moisture
characteristics
FRONT: Boundary between two air
masses.
• THUNDERSTORM: Cumulonimbus
cloud with thunder/lightning and
often strong winds, rain and
sometimes hail.
• TORNADO: Whirling funnel of air of
very low pressure and very strong
winds; can suck up anything in its
path and must touch the ground to be
called a tornado.
AIR MASSES
• An air mass is a huge body of
air, usually 1,000 miles or
more across that has the
same temperature and
moisture characteristics.
•
• When an air mass travels out
of its area of origin, it carries
those characteristics with it.
•
• An air mass' place of origin is
called its source region, and
the nature of the source
region largely determines the
initial characteristics of an air
mass.
•
• BELOW: AIR MASS
“SOURCE REGIONS”
AIR MASSES & CLASSIFICATION
•
•
•
•
•
•
An air mass is a huge body of air, usually 1,000
miles or more across that has the same
temperature and moisture characteristics.
When an air mass travels out of its area of
origin, it carries those characteristics with it.
An air mass' place of origin is called its source
region, and the nature of the source region
largely determines the initial characteristics of
an air mass.
The ideal source region must be very large and
the physical features must be consistent
throughout.
•
Land located next to water is not a good
source region.
•
Tropical and polar locations are the best
source regions.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
AIR MASS CLASSIFICATION
Air masses are classified by their source
region and the nature of the surface in
this source region.
Identified by a two-letter code consisting
of a lowercase letter and a capital letter.
The lowercase is either (maritime) or
(continental).
Maritime stands for water (high moisture
and wet)
cA continental
cP continental
cT continental
mT maritime
mP maritime
mE maritime
arctic
polar
tropical
tropical
polar
equatorial
COLD & WARM FRONTS
COLD FRONT
Cold fronts occur when the air moving into the
area is colder than the already present warmer
air.
•
•
•
The heavier, colder air pushes the warmer air
up and out of the way.
•
•
In general, cold fronts move faster than warm
fronts. So, the colder air is rapidly pushing the
warmer air out.
(BELOW: COLD FRONT)
(BELOW: COLD FRONT)
•
•
•
•
•
WARM FRONT
Occurs when warm air moves into an area of
colder air and they collide.
The warm air overrides (rides “up”) the cold
because it is lighter. The heavier colder air sinks.
(BELOW: WARM FRONT)
•
Occluded fronts involve three differing air
masses and are classified as either cold
occluded or warm occluded.
•
In the cold occluded, cold air moves in and
collides with warmer air pushing the warm air
aloft. Then, the leading edge of this cold
front comes in contact with the trailing edge of
the cooler surface air that was below the warm
air.
•
•
Because the advancing air is the coldest, it sinks
to the surface and causes the cooler air to rise.
•
However, the cooler air is still cooler than the
warm air, so it continues to push the warm air
above it.
•
In the warm occluded front, cool air is
advancing to collide with the air in your area.
•
Since the cooler air is warmer than the colder
surface air, the cooler air rides up over the cold
air.
•
Once again, the cooler air is cooler than the
warm air that was already aloft, so the cooler
air continues to push the warmer air up.
OCCLUDED FRONTS
FRONTS AS THEY ARE DRAWN
• THE COLD FRONT
• WARM FRONT
• STATIONARY
• FRONT
• OCCLUDED FRONT
SEVERE WEATHER
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
THUNDERSTORMS TORNADOES HURRICANES
These are the three weather phenomena to
discuss in this area.
All three are powerful and devastating, damaging
property and bringing destruction.
All three are dangerous and can be deadly.
This section will give you information about these
three severe weather phenomena and help you
prepare for them.
•
T-storms (T=Thunder) usually contain heavy rain,
strong winds and often hail.
•
Thunderstorms have three stages: Building,
Mature and Dissipating.
•
•
•
•
•
•
Spotting Cumulonimbus clouds is a sign of severe
weather conditions (It is a Thunder-Storm).
All three severe weather phenomena can be
associated with Cumulonimbus clouds.
Thunderstorms are from cumulonimbus clouds
and always have thunder and lightning.
•
Building stage is dominated by updrafts as the
storm builds vertically.
In time, the moisture carried up with the storm
gets heavier and starts to fall.
This creates downdrafts. Updrafts are still
occurring, the moisture now moves up and down
several times. This activity describes the Mature
stage.
The last stage has downdrafts only and is called
the Dissipating stage.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
LIGHTENING AND SAFETY
The most spectacular and dangerous part of a
thunderstorm is the lightning.
•
Lightning kills. On average, over 200 people are killed
every year in the U.S., and another 500-600 are injured by
lightning strikes.
Lightning discharges millions of volts of electricity and
heats the air to 60,000 F.
If inside, stay away from windows and doors.
At any time in the world, 2,000 thunderstorms are
occurring. From these storms there are 100 lightning
strikes per second!!!!
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Thunderstorms can occur anytime, anywhere.
•
Stay away from metal objects (golf clubs, fishing poles,
bicycles, or motorcycles).
Lightning has been noted to extend to as far as 90
miles from the Cumulonimbus cloud.
There is an old saying that lightning does not strike
twice in the same place?
NOT TRUE!
The Empire State Building has been struck many times
during the same storm.
Lightning kills. On average, over 200 people are killed
every year in the U.S., and another 500-600 are
injured by lightning strikes.
If inside, stay away from windows and doors.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Don't use electrical appliances.
Don't use the telephone or take a shower/bath.
If outdoors, go inside if you can.
Move away from water (swimming pools and lakes).
If you are in a boat, go ashore.
Don't stand in an open field, on a hilltop or on a golf
course (stay low by sitting or crouching).
Don't stand under a single tree (if you must be under a
tree, look for a clump of small trees or trees of similar
height).
If in a group of people, stay low and spread out.
If in a car, stay there.
THUNDERSTORMS & THE PILOT
• Thunderstorms present several
challenges to pilots.
•
• Thunderstorms come from
Cumulonimbus clouds, meaning
unstable air due to the thunderstorm
having violent up and down drafts.
•
• Unstable air causes turbulence and,
in particular, heavy turbulence, raises
havoc with aircraft.
• Thunderstorms bring rain, often
heavy, and even hail.
•
• Hail can do serious damage to
airplanes. Thunderstorms too, are
always accompanied by thunder and
lightening.
•
• Pilots are aware of the dangers
associated with thunderstorms and
try flying above or around them.
• As seen below, tornado’s and
lightening go “hand-in-hand” in the
• Thunderstorm!!!!
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
TORNADO
One of the most severe weather phenomena is the
tornado.
A tornado is very destructive and can be devastating
to life and property.
Tornadoes have occurred in every month of the year
and in every state in the U.S.
About 700 tornadoes are reported in the U.S.
annually.
Tornadoes consist of unstable air of very low pressure,
most move (ROTATE) in a counterclockwise manner.
Air is sucked into the center, or vortex of the storm,
rapidly lifted and cooled.
The funnel of a tornado appears dark (nearly black) as
it moves picking up dirt and debris.
Tornadoes will normally touch down for several miles
then go back up in the cloud, and may touch down
again later.
It will do this many times during its life.
A tornado is usually 50 to 500 yards wide and moves
across the ground at about 70 mph.
•
•
•
•
•
These are just averages, as they can move twice as fast, or as
slow as 5 mph.
A tornado's winds are estimated to go higher than 300 knots,
this is the main reason for the great destruction associated with
tornadoes.
The Fujita Wind Damage Scale explains the categories of wind
speed and expected damage.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
FUJITA WIND DAMAGE SCALE
Number
Wind Speed
Damage
F-0
Up to 72 mph
light
F-1
73 to 112 mph
moderate
F-2
113 to 157 mph considerable
F-3
158 to 206 mph
severe
F-4
207 to 260 mph devastating
•
•
IF TORNADO APPROACHES:
If time permits, get to a basement or underground.
•
If in open country, move at right angles (90 ) away
•
If there is time, get to a low place, like a ditch and lie down.
•
If indoors, stay away from windows.
•
If you don't have a basement, get to an interior hall, closet or
bathroom.
TROPICAL STORMS AND HURRICANES
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
A good case could be made for hurricanes as the
most dangerous of storms.
•
•
DEVELOPMENTAL SEQUENCE
Before tropical cyclones develop into hurricanes,
they are divided into three categories depending
on the wind speed.
•
Lowest category is a tropical disturbance, then a
tropical depression, and finally a tropical storm.
They produce many thunderstorms and tornadoes
within their system.
Secondly, although winds are not as strong as a
tornadoes, they are often above 100 knots.
Hurricanes affect a large area, hundreds of miles
wide, and they usually last more than a week.
•
•
•
•
Often they flood coastal cities and dump many
inches of rain.
The winds, along with tidal waves, demolish
homes routinly.
•
•
•
Hurricanes affect a large area, hundreds of miles
wide, and they usually last more than a week.
•
Often they flood coastal cities and dump many
inches of rain.
•
The winds, along with the tidal waves, demolish
homes on a routine basis.
•
•
A tropical storm's winds must be between 39 and
74 mph.
If the winds go above 74 mph, the cyclone
becomes a hurricane.
STRENGTH DETERMINATION
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Damage Potential Scale
Category 1 Category 2 Category 3
Category 4 Category 5
Pressure 28.94
28.50-28.91 27.91-28.47
27.17-27.88 27.17
Wind 75-95 mph 96-110 mph 111-130 mph
131-155 mph 155 mph
Storm
Surge
4-5 ft
6-8 ft
9-12 ft
13-18 ft
18 ft
• One distinctive feature of every
hurricane is the eye.
•
• The eye is the center of the storm.
•
• It consists of calm or very light
winds and clear skies or very few
clouds.
•
• It is calm and peaceful, yet
surrounded by violence and force
on all sides.
•
• The average eye is about 10-15
miles wide.
•
• After the eye passes, the winds
roar and blow as strong as before.
• BELOW: “EYE” OF THE HURRICANE
REVIEW
• 1. A huge body of air, usually 1,000 miles or more across is called
an AIR MASS.
•
• 2. Which of the following responses is correct for an air mass twoletter code of cA?
CONTINENTAL ARCTIC
•
• 3. Cold air moving into an area, pushing the warmer air up and out
of the way defines the COLD FRONT
•
• 4. The three stages of a thunderstorm are BUILDING, MATURE and
DISSIPATING
•
• 5. What distinguishes the "eye" of a hurricane? THE CALM AT THE
STORM’S CENTER
•
• 6. In a hurricane, winds that are greater than 155 mph cause the
hurricane to be classified as CATEGORY 5.
CIVIL AIR PATROL
SQUADRON 316, CASA GRANDE
(ARIZONA WING)
•
•
•
•
•
THIS CONCLUDES OUR REVIEW
BASED ON MODULE 3,
“AIR ENVIRONMENT”
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!
CAPTAIN PAINTER