Presented by

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

National Weather Service

Warning Decision Training Branch

Aviation Weather Aviation Weather Training for FAA Air Training for FAA Air Traffic ControllersTraffic Controllers

Aviation Weather Aviation Weather Training for FAA Air Training for FAA Air Traffic ControllersTraffic Controllers

Adverse WindAdverse Wind

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You will identify the characteristics and effects You will identify the characteristics and effects of adverse wind that impact aviation.of adverse wind that impact aviation.

ObjectivesObjectivesObjectivesObjectives

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MotivationMotivationMotivationMotivation

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Responsible for most Responsible for most weather-related weather-related accidentsaccidents

Often trigger air traffic Often trigger air traffic management decisions management decisions that adversely impact that adversely impact traffictraffic

Adverse WindAdverse WindAdverse WindAdverse Wind

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Adverse Wind PhenomenaAdverse Wind PhenomenaAdverse Wind PhenomenaAdverse Wind Phenomena

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CrosswindCrosswindCrosswindCrosswind

Crosswind - A wind that has a Crosswind - A wind that has a component directed component directed perpendicularly to the perpendicularly to the heading of an aircraft. The heading of an aircraft. The drift produced by crosswind drift produced by crosswind is critical to air navigation, is critical to air navigation, being especially dangerous being especially dangerous during takeoff and landing.during takeoff and landing.

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Gust – A sudden, brief Gust – A sudden, brief increase in the speed increase in the speed of the wind.of the wind.

GustsGustsGustsGusts

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Tailwind – A wind with a component of Tailwind – A wind with a component of motion from behind the aircraft.motion from behind the aircraft.

TailwindTailwindTailwindTailwind

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Variable wind – Wind that changes Variable wind – Wind that changes direction frequently.direction frequently.

Sudden wind shift – A line or Sudden wind shift – A line or narrow zone along which there is narrow zone along which there is an abrupt change of wind an abrupt change of wind direction.direction.

Variable Wind / Sudden Wind Variable Wind / Sudden Wind ShiftShift

Variable Wind / Sudden Wind Variable Wind / Sudden Wind ShiftShift

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Airplanes with Airplanes with higher approach higher approach speeds are less speeds are less affected by affected by crosswinds and crosswinds and tailwindstailwinds

Effects of Approach SpeedEffects of Approach SpeedEffects of Approach SpeedEffects of Approach Speed

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Even if an airplane is oriented into the wind, Even if an airplane is oriented into the wind, gusts during takeoff and landing may cause the gusts during takeoff and landing may cause the aircraft to _______.aircraft to _______.

A.A. drift off the side of the runwaydrift off the side of the runway

B.B. bounce on the runwaybounce on the runway

C.C. roll off the end of the runwayroll off the end of the runway

Response ItemResponse ItemResponse ItemResponse Item

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A variable wind, even at low speeds, can be A variable wind, even at low speeds, can be hazardous on takeoff and landing because it hazardous on takeoff and landing because it could _______.could _______.

A.A. cause engine failurecause engine failure

B.B. cause the plane to bounce on the runwaycause the plane to bounce on the runway

C.C. quickly become a crosswind or tailwindquickly become a crosswind or tailwind

Response ItemResponse ItemResponse ItemResponse Item

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_______ perform better in adverse winds _______ perform better in adverse winds because most have demonstrated tailwind and because most have demonstrated tailwind and crosswind thresholds that exceed FAA runway crosswind thresholds that exceed FAA runway thresholds.thresholds.

A.A. Larger airplanesLarger airplanes

B.B. Smaller airplanesSmaller airplanes

C.C. HelicoptersHelicopters

Response ItemResponse ItemResponse ItemResponse Item

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The EndThe EndThe EndThe End