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UNIVERSITY OF BUCHAREST
FACULTY OF PHYSICS Guest
2024-11-22 1:31 |
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Conference: Bucharest University Faculty of Physics 2018 Meeting
Section: Atmosphere and Earth Science; Environment Protection
Title:
Radar and detection of dangerous weather phenomena for aviation
Authors:
Alexandru SIMION(1,2), Sabina STEFAN(1)
Affiliation:
1) University of Bucharest, Faculty of Physics, P.O.Box MG-11, Magurele, 077125 Bucharest, Romania
2) Administratia Nationala de Meteorologie, Sos. Bucuresti-Ploiesti nr.97, sector 1, 013686, Bucharest, Romania
E-mail
alexandru.simion@meteoromania.ro
Keywords:
radar, turbulence, aviation, hazards
Abstract:
The aim of present study is to emphasise the importance of the weather radar products in detection of weather phenomena that are dangerous for aviation. Meteorology is no doubt important for aviation, as weather hazards have a significant negative impact on aircraft safety and traffic delay. Based on recent surveys, 20-30% of worldwide air accidents and as much as 22% of air traffic delays are due to the adverse weather conditions. Information on thunderstorms, ceiling and visibility, wind shear and turbulence, aircraft icing conditions are crucial to avoid aviation hazards, improve aircraft safety and reduce air traffic delays.The present work focuses both on the hazards seen by the radar and on the other hand on the dangers that are very difficult to “see”. We will present briefly the radar principles and operating modes, radar products, etc. Downdrafts and microburst are two dangerous weather phenomena that will be discussed in the present work. One of the greatest dangers in aviation is one type of turbulence, CAT (Clear Air Turbulence), that unfortunately, it is not visible on typical radars.. What causes turbulence and what causes clear air turbulence? Why is the radar unable to detect these phenomena? Working principle of radar and its limitations will help us understand better these hazards. The study also presents and discusses a case study of an airplane that experienced moderate to severe CAT turbulencewith serious effects on the aircraft (structural damages) and passengers (injuries).
Acknowledgement:
The author thanks to Dr. Daniel-Victor Carbunaru, Tiberiu Hriscan for guidance and feedback on the study.
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