Weather Archives

Decoding NOTAMs: Hanoi to Hong Kong

The Citation jet was ready for departure at Hanoi, Vietnam (VVNB) with a destination Hong Kong (VHHH). Weather was agreeable along our entire route. The NOTAMs were an issue. Acquiring the most current weather and NOTAMs can be challenging when flying international. For example, each country will have a different responsible agency to contact for this information. Once the pilot locates the agency, they must often pay a fee and apply for ramp access to the facility. Airlines provide this information to the crew. General aviation pilots can pre-purchase this information through a commercial contractor or locate the agency on their own. During our 2015 World Flight, we pre-purchased these services. The weather, Notices, and filed instrument flight plan were … Read more

Apr 25

Weather Insights From Captain Judy: The Role of PIREPs

Captain Judy’s Corner: Cross-Country Adventure with PIREPs Sunrise brings the promise of perfect flying weather! Today is a satisfying day to apply your knowledge to practice with the long solo cross-country. Therefore, your private pilot check ride prep will follow. You arrive at Epic Flight Academy obtaining a final review on weather before departure. There are ample computers in the flight planning area connected to Aviation Weather. The METeorogical Aerodrome Report (METAR), Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF), graphic weather, radar and satellite imaging, prognostic charts all indicate departure, enroute weather, and destination are visual flight rules (VFR). There are currently no pilot reports, also called PIREPs, along your route. A call to 800-WX-BRIEF Flight Service Station (FSS) briefer verified the VFR online … Read more

Feb 7

What is turbulence, and why is it so scary?

Turbulence is the drink-spilling, bag-tossing, heart-racing jolt that every traveler dreads. This bumpy ride happens when an airplane encounters powerful wind currents that push or pull it in unexpected ways. While most commercial jets cruise at altitudes designed to bypass these rough patches, gusts can strike at any altitude. From clear-air turbulence to mechanical and thermal varieties, there are several types of turbulence that can shake up your flight experience. Does turbulence shake you up? It shouldn’t! Pilots experience different types of turbulence during flight. Understanding turbulence can help you better respond when you face this situation. What is the definition of turbulence? Flight turbulence is something most passengers hate. What is turbulence? The meaning of turbulence is a sudden, … Read more

Oct 25

Foggy Facts: What Pilots Need to Know About Flying in Fog

“Caution, Sea Smoke approaching Ormond Beach.” Lifting my view limiting device while on a practice instrument approach at Dayton Beach (KDAB), a solid wall of white clouds rolled over the ocean toward my home airport at KOMN. I immediately canceled my practice instrument approach with KDAB approach requesting direct to KOMN. Fog is the most frequent cause of reduced surface visibility and is a persistent weather hazard. The speed with which fog can form makes it especially hazardous. In a matter of minutes, visibility can drop from Visual Flight Rules (VFR) to less than a mile. Fog can also reduce visibilities below Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) minimum approach requirements. Fog is composed of either water vapor or ice crystals. A small temperature-dew … Read more

Sep 29

Captain Judy’s Corner: Hurricanes – What’s in a name?

10-Year Hurricane Track (2005-2015)Source: National Geographic Did you know that “Huracan” was the god of big winds and evil spirits worshiped by the Maya people of Central America? Hurricane preparedness is serious business. While people have been naming major storms for hundreds of years, meteorologist first named hurricanes by the latitude and longitude coordinates where the storm was located. This system of tracking was confusing to people seeking hurricane information. In the early 1950s, the U.S. National Hurricane Center started the process by naming storms according to a phonetic alphabet, such as: Able, Baker, Charlie. The first hurricane of each season was always named “Able,” the second “Baker,” and so on. (This was also part of the early alpha codes, … Read more

Jul 23

Captain Judy’s Corner: Flexibility is the Key to Safety in a Thunderstorm

Thunderstorm flexibility is essential for all pilots. The Citation was at FL370 (37000’) when I saw a thunderstorm building in the distance. I was amazed to watch and feel this energy from a far distance. The cumulonimbus clouds were building higher than the jet’s altitude. The lightning brightened the darkening sky. Are thunderstorms really all that dangerous? Every student pilot dreads the thunderstorm. Thunderstorms are part of summer weather in Florida, and most pilots here know to respect them. The first thing they learn is flexibility. Thunderstorms are one of nature’s most powerful forces and a weather hazard that are dangerous for all pilots. Flying too close to these powerful beasts can end in disaster. Pilots must understand thunderstorms and … Read more

May 30

Density Altitude: Do Airplanes Feel It?

How does hot, humid air affect flying? The cockpit felt like a sauna in the Arizona heat. Not only was I enduring the summer heat, but so was the airplane. How might an airplane suffer from heat? After all, airplanes do not feel? Or do they? Flying on a cool Florida morning or evening, you will notice ample runway remaining before lift-off and how eager the airplane climbs. Fly on a hot, muggy afternoon, and the runway remaining before lift-off will be far less. The airplane would climb much slower, as well. Temperature, pressure, and moisture (dewpoint) in the air affects our airplanes’ performance: an increase required in runway length, a reduced climb rate, and decreased performance in cruise and … Read more