Standards

Posted: 02/17/05

FTP 104 – Aviation Meteorology

Course Description:

Surveys the concepts and processes of atmospheric phenomena and their relationship to flight.  Topics include:  thermal patterns, atmospheric moisture, horizontal and vertical pressure patterns, clouds, atmospheric circulation, and weather data.

 

Competency Areas:

Hours:

Thermal Patterns

Class

5

Atmospheric Moisture

D. Lab

0

Horizontal and Vertical Pressure Patterns

P. Lab/O.B.I.

0

Clouds

Credit

5

Atmospheric Circulation

 

 

Weather Data

 

 

 

 

 

Prerequisite: Program admission

 

Corequisite:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Course Guide

 

Competency

After completing this section, the student will:

Hours

Class

D. Lab

P. Lab/

O.B.I.

THERMAL PATTERNS

10

0

0

Definition and discussion

Define atmosphere.

 

 

 

 

Analyze the causes of weather.

 

 

 

 

Identify types of air mass frontal activity and related weather patterns.

 

 

 

 

Discuss serious weather hazards to aviation.

 

 

 

ATMOSPHERIC MOISTURE

5

0

0

Definition and discussion

Name the three states of water.

 

 

 

 

Define relative humidity.

 

 

 

 

Define visibility.

 

 

 

 

Discuss moisture saturation, dewpoint, and formation of fog.

 

 

 

HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL PRESSURE PATTERNS

10

0

0

Definition

Define low pressure and high pressure weather phenomena.

 

 

 

 

Define ridge and trough.

 

 

 

CLOUDS

5

0

0

Definition and discussion

Name the various types of clouds.

 

 

 

 

Discuss cloud formation.

 

 

 

 

List characteristics of stable and unstable air.

 

 

 

 

Define thunderstorm life cycle and related severe weather.

 

 

 

 

Define microburst and downburst.

 

 

 

ATMOSPHERIC CIRCULATION

5

0

0

Identification and discussion

Define wind.

 

 

 

 

Identify causes of windshear.

 

 

 

 

Demonstrate understanding of the jetstream and associated weather patterns.

 

 

 

WEATHER DATA

15

0

0

Identification and discussion

Identify types of weather reports and forecasts available to the pilot while on the ground..

 

 

 

 

Discuss ways to obtain weather information when airborne

 

 

 

 

Interpret terminal forecasts information.

 

 

 

 

Obtain a flight service station weather briefing before flight.

 

 

 

 

Suggested Resources

 

Books:

 

Crane, D. (Ed.). (1991). Dictionary of aeronautical terms (2nd ed.). Newcastle, WA: ASA, Inc.

FAA. (Annual). FAR/AIM 95. Newcastle, WA: ASA, Inc.

FAA.  (1975). Aviation weather. Newcastle, WA: ASA, Inc.

FAA, National Weather Service (NWS). (1999). Aviation Weather Services, AC 00-45E. Oklahoma: FAA & NWS.

FAA/NWS Staff. (1995). Aviation weather services.  Washington, DC: USGPO.

Fox Valley Technical College. (1991). Curriculum manual for aeronautics/aviation weather.  Oshkosh, WI: Author.

Gladney, D. (1989). Private pilot groundschool guide.  Aurora, IL: Aviation Technical Development, Inc.

Guilkey, J. E., & Snyder, C. (1993). Simplifying the FAR/AIM: An essential guide for the private pilot.  Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Lester, P. (2001). Aviation weather. Canada: Sanderson Jeppesen.

Newton, D. O. (Year). Severe weather flying.  Newcastle, WA: ASA, Inc.

 

Audiovisuals:

 

Jeppesen, S. (1990). Aircraft icing [VHS, 32:37].  Englewood, CO: Sanderson Jeppesen.

Jeppesen, S. (1990). Evaluating inflight weather [VHS, 29:54].  Englewood, CO: Author.

Jeppesen, S.(1990). Extreme conditions: Hot and cold weather [VHS, 47:34]. Englewood, CO: Sanderson Jeppesen.

Jeppesen, S. (1990). Go/no-go weather decisions [VHS, 40:06]. Englewood, CO: Sanderson Jeppesen.