Introduction to Aeronautical Meteorology

Aeronautical Meteorology
航空气象
By : Prof. Abdelaziz Mousa 穆萨 April 2024

Basic information of the course
By : Prof. Abdelaziz Mousa 穆萨
English name Aeronautical Meteorology
Course No 2314031L
Course
type
Compulsory
course credit 2
Course
hours
32
Applicable
majors
Transportation
Advanced
Placement
Traffic engineering
Post-requisite
courses
Basics of air traffic management, airline operations management
Course
manager
Abdelaziz
Mousa 穆萨
Course team
members

About me
Professor Abdelaziz Mohamed Mousa Ahmed Mousa 穆萨
Expert in Aerospace Control Systems and Aircraft Engineering
Education:
● Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering
○ Beijing Institute of Technology University (BIT)
○ Specialization: Control Systems for Aerospace
○ Duration: September 2017 - June 2019
● Bachelor of Science in Aircraft Design and Engineering
○ Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (Beihang) (BUAA)
○ Specialization: Flight Vehicle Design and engineering
○ Duration: September 2012 - June 2016
Email: abdelaziz.mousa@outlook.com Mobile: +86 1850032744 微信: a01027448628

Important Class Information - 微信群组更名 & 缺勤扣分 & 作业提交
你好 (Hello)
1. 微信群组更名 (WeChat Group Rename)
为了方便管理班级 (For easier class management), 请将你所在微信群组的昵称改为学号+姓名格式 (please
change your nickname in the WeChat group to the format Student Number + Chinese Name).
例如 (For example):
如果你的学号是 20230001，姓名是张三 (If your student number is 20230001 and your name is Zhang San), 你
将昵称改为 "20230001张三" (you will change your nickname to "20230001 Zhang San").
2. 缺勤扣分 (Absence Points Deduction)
请注意，缺勤将被扣除总成绩的 2% (Please be aware that each absence will result in a 2% deduction from
your total score).
3. 作业提交 (Homework Submission)
所有作业将发送到以下邮箱: abdelaziz.mousa@outlook.com (All homework will be sent to the following email
address: abdelaziz.mousa@outlook.com).
请确保及时完成并提交作业 (Please ensure you complete and submit your homework on time).
谢谢合作 (Thank you for your cooperation)!
老师穆萨 (Teacher Mousa)

Course assessment
Course
Objectives:
Support the assessment link and score
Course
Objective
Points
Assignments
Class
discussions
Mid-term
assessment
Final
assessment
1 20 20 30 30 100

Textbooks
1.Textbooks
• Zhou Haishen. "Aeronautical Meteorology". Aviation Industry Press.
2019.0 1
2.Reference materials
• [ 1] Xue Yuan, Xu Haojun, Pei Binbin. "Flight Risk Assessment under
Complex Airflow Conditions". Northwestern Polytechnical University
Press. 201 8 .0 1
• [ 2] Huang Yifang. " Analysis of Aviation Meteorological
Characteristics and Suitable Aeronautical Atmosphere over China's
Plateau ". Southwest Jiaotong University Press. 2014.03
3. Learning website
• Civil Aviation Resource Network ( http://www.carnoc.com/)
Course Resources

● Understanding Weather Phenomena:
○ Wind shear and turbulence
○ Icing conditions
○ Visibility restrictions
● Weather Forecasting for Flight Planning:
○ Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAFs)
○ Significant Weather Information (SIGMETs)
○ En-route weather analysis
● Impact on Flight Operations:
○ Safety considerations
○ Fuel efficiency
○ Delay prevention
Course about

Aviation meteorology: The science that ensures the safety and
efficiency of every flight.
● Understanding Atmospheric Behavior:
a. Analyzes weather elements like wind, temperature,
humidity, and cloud cover.
b. Studies atmospheric phenomena like turbulence,
icing, and thunderstorms.
● Forecasting for Safe & Efficient Flights:
a. Provides crucial information for flight planning,
optimizing routes and fuel usage.
b. Issues warnings for potential hazards, ensuring
passenger and crew safety.
Aviation Meteorology: Ensuring Smooth Skies
Unveiling the Secrets of the Sky: Aviation Meteorology
● Understanding Atmospheric Behavior
● Forecasting for Safe & Efficient Flights

• Understanding the Atmosphere:
• Focus on elements critical for flight (e.g., wind speed &
direction, turbulence, visibility, icing conditions).
• Reference:
https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/FAA-H-8083-28_O
rder_8083.28.pdf
• Flight Planning & Decision Making:
• Pilots rely on aviation weather forecasts to optimize routes
and ensure passenger safety.
• Reference: https://aviationweather.gov/
• Advanced Technologies:
• Doppler radar tracks wind shear and precipitation.
• Satellite imagery provides a broader view of weather
patterns.
• Reference: https://www.jma.go.jp/jma/en/Activities/aws.html

• Understanding the Atmosphere:
• Weather phenomena (wind, turbulence, icing, visibility)
• Cloud formations and their impact on flight
• Flight Planning & Operations:
• Weather forecasts and advisories for informed
decision-making
• Optimization of flight paths for fuel efficiency and safety
• Technological Advancements:
• In-flight weather monitoring systems (e.g., radar,
lightning detectors)
• Advanced weather modeling for accurate predictions
• Safety & Regulations:
• Mitigating weather-related risks during takeoff, landing,
and flight
• Adherence to international aviation weather standards.

1. Early Observations (Pre-1800s):
○ Humans have observed and tried to
predict weather for millennia.
○ Greeks documented wind patterns
for navigation.
Unveiling the Skies: A History of Aviation Meteorology

2. Birth of Instruments (1600s - 1800s):
○ 1597: Galileo Galilei invents the
thermometer
○ 1667: Robert Hooke creates the
anemometer for wind speed measurement.

3. The Dawn of Modern Meteorology (1800s - 1920s):
○ 1820s: Lewis von Beethoven establishes the
first weather observation network in Europe.
○ 1826: Everard Brandeis creates the first
weather map, a crucial step in visualization.

4. Air Masses and Fronts Take Flight (1920s):
○ 1920: Jérôme Piening proposes the concept of
air masses, fronts, and cyclones, fundamentally
shaping our understanding of weather systems.

5. Reaching New Heights (1920s - 1940s):
○ 1928: Pavel Molchanov invents the radiosonde,
enabling the creation of upper-air weather maps
for improved forecasting.
○ 1936: Carl-Gustaf Rossby establishes the
long-wave theory, a cornerstone in
understanding large-scale atmospheric
circulation.

6. 1950s: Radar Takes Off!
○ Weather radar applications revolutionize
real-time observations of precipitation and
wind patterns.
7. 1950: Computers Take to the Skies!
○ Pioneering work by Charney and colleagues
lays the foundation for numerical weather
prediction using computers.
The Soaring Science: Meteorology Takes Flight (1940-1960 &
Beyond)

8. April 1, 1960: A Giant Leap for Weather!
○ The United States launches its first weather
satellite, ushering in a new era of
atmospheric data collection.
9. Beyond 1960: A Symphony of Science
○ Integration of new technologies and diverse
scientific disciplines propels meteorology
forward.
The Soaring Science: Meteorology Takes Flight (1940-1960 &
Beyond)

A close-up photo of an oracle bone with markings
resembling weather phenomena (wind, clouds, rain, etc.).
(Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oracle_bone)
• Oracle bones used to describe weather
phenomena (wind, clouds, rainbows,
rain, snow, thunder).
• Divination for weather prediction (up to
ten days).
1.History of the Development of Meteorology ( China )
Weather Divination (1200 BC - onwards)

“Weather proverbs passed down
through generations.”
• Example: '”There are castle clouds in the
sky, and thunderstorms are coming on
the ground”
Weather Proverbs (Unknown Origin - Present Day)

A traditional Chinese calendar wheel
highlighting the 24 solar terms. (Reference:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_term)
• Twenty-Four Solar Terms - a seasonal
calendar based on astronomical
observations.
• Divides the year into 24 segments
reflecting weather patterns and
agricultural activities.
Twenty-Four Solar Terms (2nd Century BC - Present Day)

1. The Impact of Meteorological Factors on Flight
● Effects of air pressure, temperature and air density on
flight:
○ Air pressure affects lift: Thinner air (high altitude)
requires more speed for sufficient lift.
○ Temperature affects air density: Hotter air is less dense,
impacting lift and engine performance.
○ Air density is crucial for takeoff and landing
performance.
● Effects of clouds on flight:
○ Clouds can impact visibility, requiring instrument flight
procedures.
○ Certain cloud types can indicate turbulence.
○ Icing on aircraft can occur in specific cloud types.
2.Key Research Areas in Aviation Meteorology

2. Effect of Air Movement on Flight
● Effects of wind on flight:
○ Headwinds slow ground speed, tailwinds increase it.
○ Crosswinds can affect aircraft control during takeoff
and landing.
○ Wind shear (sudden wind speed/direction changes) is
a significant hazard.
Reference:
http://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_
25_415-1.pdf
2.Key Research Areas in Aviation Meteorology

2. The impact of weather on flying
2.1 Effect of wind on
flight

3. The Impact of Weather Phenomena on Flight
● Effects of precipitation on flying:
○ Heavy rain can reduce visibility and lead to runway
contamination.
○ Freezing rain can cause ice accumulation on aircraft.
● The effects of fog, smoke and dust on flight:
○ Fog can severely limit visibility, impacting takeoff and landing.
○ Smoke and dust can also reduce visibility and affect engine
performance.
● Impact of thunderstorms on flight, lightning strikes:
○ Thunderstorms can create severe turbulence, hail, and wind
shear.
○ Lightning strikes can damage aircraft electronics.
Reference: https://aviationweather.gov/

3.1 Impact of ice
accumulation on flight

3.2 Effect of
lightning on flight

3.3 Impact of heavy rain on
flying

3.4 Impact of sandstorms
on flight

4. Utilization of Aviation Meteorological Resources
● Staying informed for safe travel:
○ Pilots rely on weather forecasts and advisories from
aviation meteorological services.
○ In-flight weather radar helps pilots navigate around
hazardous weather.
○ Passengers can access general weather information
before and during flights.
Reference: https://aviationweather.gov/

Key Points :
1. Aviation Meteorology: A Critical Factor
2. The Disruptive Power of Fog
○ December 1, 2004: Heavy fog at Capital Airport
reduces visibility to 100 meters.
○ Over 550 flights delayed, including inbound and
outbound.
○ Multiple flight diversions to other airports.
3. Snowfall Creates Further Challenges
○ February 15, 2005: Fog and snow reduce visibility at
Capital Airport to 450 meters.
○ Blind landing system activated due to low visibility.
○ Over 400 flights delayed due to snowfall.
4. The Importance of Weather Awareness
(Case Study)

1. Aviation Safety & Weather:
○ 10-15% of serious air accidents are caused solely by
weather (Source: International Civil Aviation
Organization).
2. Weather's Wider Impact:
○ ~33% of all aviation accidents are directly or indirectly
related to weather (Source: Industry Studies).
3. Weather's Growing Influence:
○ 70% of flight delays and cancellations are currently
weather-related (Source: Industry Data).
4. The Importance of Aviation Meteorology:
○ As aviation continues to develop, robust
meteorological support becomes increasingly
critical.
4. The Critical Role of Aviation Meteorology
(Case Study)

Multiple Choice:
1.According to the passage, what percentage of serious air accidents are caused solely by weather?
a) 10-15%
b) 33%
c) 70%
d) None of the above
2.What is the primary reason robust meteorological support is becoming increasingly critical in aviation?
a) Weather is a growing factor in flight delays.
b) Pilot reliance on in-flight weather radar is increasing.
c) As aviation develops, weather becomes more unpredictable.
d) Passenger access to general weather information is growing.
5. Review Questions

3.Which of the following is NOT listed as a way pilots stay informed about weather?
a) Passenger reports
b) Weather forecasts and advisories
c) In-flight weather radar
d) Industry data
4.How can heavy rain negatively impact flight safety?
a) It can damage aircraft electronics.
b) It can reduce visibility and contaminate runways.
c) It can create severe turbulence.
d) It can cause ice accumulation on aircraft at high altitudes.
5.Fog and dust primarily affect flight safety by:
a) Disrupting engine performance.
b) Reducing lift at high altitudes.
c) Causing severe wind shear.
d) Severely limiting visibility.
5. Review Questions

True or False:
Thunderstorms pose a threat to aircraft due to lightning strikes only.
6. ( )
Hotter air provides more lift for an aircraft compared to colder air.
7. ( )
Cloud formations can never be used as an indicator of potential turbulence.
8. ( )
Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAFs) provide weather information for specific airports.
9. ( )
General weather information for passengers is irrelevant to aviation safety.
10. ( )
5. Review Questions

1. What percentage of serious air accidents are caused solely by weather?
2. According to industry studies, what percentage of all aviation accidents are related to weather (directly or indirectly)?
3. What is the current leading cause of flight delays and cancellations?
4. Why is robust meteorological support becoming increasingly critical in aviation?
5. List two ways pilots stay informed about weather conditions.
6. How can heavy rain impact flight safety?
7. What are the visibility concerns associated with fog, smoke, and dust?
8. What kind of hazards can thunderstorms create for aircraft?
9. How do air pressure and temperature affect aircraft performance during takeoff and landing?
10. Briefly explain two ways clouds can impact flight.
5. Homework

谢谢
Thank you

Introduction to Aeronautical Meteorology

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