ASCI 202 Research Paper
Running head: DOES WEATHER AFFECT AVIATION OPERATIONS
Does Weather Affect Aviation Operations
Jean Everly
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Does Weather Affect Aviation Operations
It is inevitable, weather affects aviation operation. Nature is a force that cannot be controlled, but steps can be taken to minimize the damage and delays that weather can cause. In order to combat the adverse effects of weather, the entire aviation industry needs to work together. Federal, state, and private agencies continually work to gain and consolidate information regarding weather patterns and the effects it has in the aviation field. According to the National Transportation Safety Board safety studies, “The most common weather phenomena for fatal accidents were low cloud ceilings, fog, rain, and snow; nonfatal accidents, on the other hand, were dominated by accidents attributed to unfavorable wind.” (NTSB, 2005)
Turbulence is defined as “irregular motion of the atmosphere, as that indicated by gusts and lulls in the wind.” (Dictionary.com, n.d.) This particular phenomenon of nature was able to claim an average of 36 injuries per year, between 2002 and 2013 (Federal Aviation Administration, 2014). This is a very good number, specifically when compared to the more than 800 million people that fly every day (United States Department of Transportation, 2013). While the airlines and all people involved are sure to want that number to be zero, things do happen. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the best way for a passenger to avoid injury, caused by turbulence, is “by keeping their seatbelt buckled at all times.” (Federal Aviation Administration, 2014) Turbulence can be as mild as barely noticeable to temporary loss of control of the aircraft. All these levels of intensity, and each one in between, can cause bodily injury.
Reduced visibility is another natural weather occurrence that can severely affect aviation operations. Reduced visibility can be
Does Weather Affect Aviation Operations
Jean Everly
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Does Weather Affect Aviation Operations
It is inevitable, weather affects aviation operation. Nature is a force that cannot be controlled, but steps can be taken to minimize the damage and delays that weather can cause. In order to combat the adverse effects of weather, the entire aviation industry needs to work together. Federal, state, and private agencies continually work to gain and consolidate information regarding weather patterns and the effects it has in the aviation field. According to the National Transportation Safety Board safety studies, “The most common weather phenomena for fatal accidents were low cloud ceilings, fog, rain, and snow; nonfatal accidents, on the other hand, were dominated by accidents attributed to unfavorable wind.” (NTSB, 2005)
Turbulence is defined as “irregular motion of the atmosphere, as that indicated by gusts and lulls in the wind.” (Dictionary.com, n.d.) This particular phenomenon of nature was able to claim an average of 36 injuries per year, between 2002 and 2013 (Federal Aviation Administration, 2014). This is a very good number, specifically when compared to the more than 800 million people that fly every day (United States Department of Transportation, 2013). While the airlines and all people involved are sure to want that number to be zero, things do happen. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the best way for a passenger to avoid injury, caused by turbulence, is “by keeping their seatbelt buckled at all times.” (Federal Aviation Administration, 2014) Turbulence can be as mild as barely noticeable to temporary loss of control of the aircraft. All these levels of intensity, and each one in between, can cause bodily injury.
Reduced visibility is another natural weather occurrence that can severely affect aviation operations. Reduced visibility can be
References: Aviation Safety Network. (1975). Accident Description. Retrieved from Aviation Safety Network: http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19750624-1 BBC News DOW. (2014). Technical Data Sheet. Retrieved from MSDSSearch.dow.com: http://msdssearch.dow.com/PublishedLiteratureDOWCOM/dh_0917/0901b8038091744b.pdf?filepath=propyleneglycol/pdfs/noreg/117-17101.pdf&fromPage=GetDoc Federal Aviation Administration Federal Aviation Administration. (2014, March 12). Fact Sheet - Turbulence . Retrieved from Federal Aviation Administration: http://www.faa.gov/news/fact_sheets/news_story.cfm?newsId=14195 Freedman, A Haile, J. (1978, January). Development of the Lockheed Hercules C-130D. Retrieved from Firebirds.org: http://www.firebirds.org/menu13/mnu13_p1.htm Krock, L NTSB. (2005). Safety Study: Risk Factors Associated with Weather-Related General Aviation Accidents. Washington D.C. : National Transportation Safety Board. Retrieved from http://www.ntsb.gov/doclib/safetystudies/SS0501.pdf Pendleton, L Raghavan, D. (2014, May 12). Why Flights at SFO Are Usually Delayed, and Why It Will Get Worse This Summer. Retrieved from Nerdwallet.com: http://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/cities/economics/sfo-airport-delay/ Shatalova, E., & Kolesnikova, M