Aviation Weather Information Requirements Study
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NASA / CR-2000-210288 Aviation Weather Information Requirements Study Byron M. Keel, Charles E. Stancil, Clifford A. Eckert, Susan M. Brown, Gary G. Gimmestad, and Mark A. Richards Georgia Tech Research Institute, Atlanta, Georgia June 2000 The NASA STI Program Office ... in Profile Since its founding, NASA has been dedicated to CONFERENCE PUBLICATION. Collected the advancement of aeronautics and space papers from scientific and technical science. The NASA Scientific and Technical conferences, symposia, seminars, or other Information (STI) Program Office plays a key meetings sponsored or co-sponsored by part in helping NASA maintain this important NASA. role. SPECIAL PUBLICATION. Scientific, The NASA STI Program Office is operated by technical, or historical information from Langley Research Center, the lead center for NASA programs, projects, and missions, NASA's scientific and technical information. 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Scientific Desk at (301) 621-0134 and technical findings that are preliminary or of specialized interest, e.g., quick release • Phone the NASA STI Help Desk at reports, working papers, and (301) 621-0390 bibliographies that contain minimal annotation. Does not contain extensive Write to: analysis. NASA STI Help Desk NASA Center for AeroSpace Information CONTRACTOR REPORT. Scientific and 7121 Standard Drive technical findings by NASA-sponsored Hanover, MD 21076-1320 contractors and grantees. NASA / CR-2000-210288 Aviation Weather Information Requirements Study Byron M. Keel, Charles E. Stancil, Clifford A. Eckert, Susan M. Brown, Gary G. Gimmestad, and Mark A. Richards Georgia Tech Research Institute, Atlanta, Georgia National Aeronautics and Space Administration Langley Research Center Prepared for Langley Research Center Hampton, Virginia 23681-2199 under Contract NAS1-99073 June 2000 Available from: NASA Center for AeroSpace Information (CASI) National Technical Information Service (NTIS) 7121 Standard Drive 5285 Port Royal Road Hanover, MD 21076-1320 Springfield, VA 22161-2171 (301) 621-0390 (703) 605-6000 Contents 1 STUDY OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................................... 1 References ................................................................................................................................................ 2 2 AVIATION WEATHER DATA PRODUCT INVESTIGATION ............................................................ 3 2.1 Task Summary ................................................................................................................................. 3 2.2 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 3 2.3 Atmospheric Hazards ...................................................................................................................... 4 2.4 Aviation System Components ......................................................................................................... 5 2.4.1 Aircraft Operators ................................................................................................................................. 5 2.4.1.1 Part 91 General Operating and Flight Rules ................................................................................................... 6 2.4.1.2 Part 135 Au"Taxi Operators and Commercial Operators ............................................................................... 6 2.4.1.3 Part 121 Domestic Commercial Operators ..................................................................................................... 7 2.4.2 Aviation Weather Information Support System .................................................................................... 8 2.4.2.1 Federal Aviation Administration ...................................................................................................................... 8 2.4.2.2 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration .......................................................................................... 8 2.5 A Review of Weather Products and Delivery Systems ................................................................. 10 2.5.1 Summary of Aviation Weather Products ............................................................................................ 10 2.5.2 Sensors ................................................................................................................................................ 16 2.5.3 Delivery Systems ................................................................................................................................ 16 2.6 Database Development and User Feedback .................................................................................. 17 2.6.1 Survey ................................................................................................................................................. 17 2.6.2 Weather Product Database .................................................................................................................. 17 2.6.2.1 Overview ........................................................................................................................................................ 17 2.6.2.2 Future Capabilities .......................................................................................................................................... 19 2.6.3 User Inputs .......................................................................................................................................... 19 2.6.3.1 United Parcel Service (UPS) ........................................................................................................................... 19 2.6.3.2 Delta AMines .................................................................................................................................................. 21 2.6.3.3 National Weather Service Weather Forecast Offices ...................................................................................... 22 2.6.3.4 Southern Region Air Traffic Control .............................................................................................................. 23 2.6.3.5 Flight hlfommtion Systems Dean Resch ...................................................................................................... 24 2.7 Deficiencies in the Current Set of Weather Products .................................................................... 25 2.7.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 25 2.7.2 Data Format ........................................................................................................................................ 26 2.7.3 Support System ................................................................................................................................... 26 2.7.4 Sensors ................................................................................................................................................ 27 2.7.5 Forecasting and Modeling ................................................................................................................... 28 2.8 A Look Forward to Requirements ................................................................................................. 28 References .............................................................................................................................................. 30 3 AVIATION WEATHER INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS RECOMMENDATIONS ................... 31 3.1 Task Summary ............................................................................................................................... 31 3.2 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 33 3.3 Fundamentals of Weather Phenomena .........................................................................................