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 flier72 |
understanding http://adds.aviationweather.gov/turbulence/turb_nav.php |
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Posts: 60 (09/17/09 11:43:47) |
I'm trying to understand what this means to the layman. What does Max Turbulence mean as opposed to each flight level?
On the pilot report page what does the three digit number next to the symbol mean? Thanks. |
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Capt Tom Bunn MSW LCSW |
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Posts: 2712 (09/18/09 09:24:49) |
On http://adds.aviationweath...turbulence/turb_nav.php, that is the worse case possible
under existing high altitude wind conditions.
On the pilot reports page (PIREPS), the three numbers are the flight level at which turbulence is actually reported, for example, 350 equals 35,000 feet. You can see the the actual is just a fraction of the forecast. |
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flier72 |
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Posts: 61 (09/18/09 10:39:25) |
Thanks!
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OneAnt |
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Posts: 887 (09/20/09 02:21:23) |
Overall, my experience with the ADDS turb website has been that it's a decent forecast for what you can generally expect, but, even with the PIREPS,
it's still not the gospel (this is from a fear of flying perspective).
One plane can fly through an area and experience light chop. Another can fly through 10 mins later and have no chop. |
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Capn Steve |
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Posts: 635 (09/20/09 16:36:06) |
Right.
Turb forecasts can give a general idea of what may be expected, but they should also be taken with a grain of salt. When I was still flying, I certainly looked at them, but was also prepared to promptly forget them. This is not a negative reflection on the forecasters. Not at all. They do the best they can, with the forecasting technology currently available. But they'll be the first to tell you that turb is just plain difficult to forecast accurately. There are many factors involved, and if just one or two don't materialize, the forecast becomes essentially invalid. And that's why I encourage FFs not to get too worked up about their upcoming flight, based on the turb forecast. (And -- as we keep emphasizing here -- turb is not a flight hazard, anyway.) Cheers. Steve |
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Note from Capt. Tom I know everyone worries about weather, but pilots really do not worry about it. We simply - instead of worrying about it - completely prepare for it. Before going to the plane, we review the weather at the destination. If it is not 100% sure to be within legal limits when we arrive at the destination, we must specify an alternate airport in our planning documents, and load on plenty of fuel for going to the destination airport, and then if need be, diverting to the alternate airport. The legal limits are conservative. Even when weather is slightly outside the legal limits, any airline pilot could still land safely. You can rely on the captain never to land when the weather is not legal, and legality limits are reached prior to safety limits. If you are still anxious, call me and we can talk it over. I'm at 877 332-7359 from 10 AM until 7 PM Eastern time. For effective help, even if you are flying in a day or two, sign up now at www.fearofflying.com/fasttrack and call me when you finish Clip 9 so I can make sure you are all set. |
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Using Weather Information If you enter your ZIP Code or City at the top of the weather presentation, it will give you weather for your area. Or, you can enter your destination ZIP Code or City.
Click on the "LOCAL RADAR" button to see whether or not there are thunder- Turbulence, though it may cause anxiety, does not mean anything is wrong. Turbulence does not mean danger. The plane can handle far more turbulence than Mother Nature can dish out. Though flying in turbulence is safe, it doesn't feel safe. And here is where the SOAR programs come in. We can help you feel as safe when you fly as you actually are. You can see these programs at www.fearofflying.com/store. |
