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INTRODUCTION
Weather takes many forms, it may vary from day to day. Changes may also occur rapidly and
it is important for pilots as well as other aviation-related personnel to be acutely and constantly
aware of even small changes which may affect flying conditions.
Precipitation can take the form of rain, snow, sleet, hail, etc. This moisture comes from the
clouds. Observing the sky and classifying the types of clouds along with their movements are
most valuable in predicting changes in weather. Wind conditions also are of great importance,
they predict weather changes which may affect changes in air routes.
In keeping records, the following categories should be noted: precipitation, air temperature,
air pressure, relative humidity, wind direction, wind speed, sky condition, and type of clouds.
To record these observations, different types of weather instruments can be used. For wind,
a pinwheel or windmill will show motion. To demonstrate the force of the wind an anemometer
can be used. Also, a weather vane will show wind direction. At airports they usually have a
windsock. It always swings freely with the wind and shows force and direction to the pilot or
observer. Temperature is determined with a thermometer. Changes in temperature may bring
about changes in flight plans also, particularly when going form one section of the country to
another.
Weather maps which the newspapers compile daily are of great importance to everyone -
especially so since the radio and TV broadcasts these changing conditions constantly. Students
will be well informed if they are directed to learn about all phases of the weather and how it
affects not only their everyday lives but also may be an introduction to a career in aviation as a
meteorologist or aviator.
WEATHER
PURPOSE
Weather is important to a pilot. Fog can affect visibility. Ice can interfere with the smooth
operation of the mechanical parts of the airplane. Wind and rain can produce turbulence that can
cause the airplane to toss and turn. Therefore, it is important for the pilot to try to avoid weather
problems. Many airplanes have very excellent instruments that assist the pilot in understanding
and interpreting the weather conditions and how they affect the flight.
Topic 1 presents weather as changing daily. The changes affect our daily lives.
Topic 4 demonstrates that air has weight and takes up space and presents ways to measure
air temperature and pressure.
Topic 5 introduces air masses and weather fronts and emphasizes interpretation of
weather reports.
VOCABULARY WORDS FOR UNIT 5
Topic 1 weather
calendar
sun
Topic 2 clouds
stratus clouds
cumulus clouds
fog
Topic 3 wind
air
windsock
Topic 4 atmosphere
weight
pressure
meteorologist
barometer
temperature
thermometer
WEATHER SYMBOLS
Try Answering the following Questions
Clouds give us messages about the weather. Clouds let us see what is happening in the
air.
Clouds are visible bodies of very fine droplets of water (or ice) dispersed in the air.
Clouds filled with water grow large and can reach a height of several miles. When full, the water
falls as rain or snow.
Air transportation depends on accurate weather reports to make flying safe and
comfortable. Bad weather still causes delayed flights and accidents. Pilots must be able to
see to take-off or land. Aircraft have not been built that will fly through thunderstorms or
very high winds.
Wind can change direction and speed. the direction and speed of the wind is very important
to the pilot. airplanes must take off and land as directly into the wind as possible.
A windsock can tell us the direction in which the wind is blowing and how hard (fast) it is
blowing. the more the sock is extended, the greater the speed of the wind.
1. If the pilot flies into the wind, the wind will hold back (retard) the airplane’s forward
movement. The airplane will move forward but not as fast.
2. If the wind is on the tail of the airplane, the wind will help push the airplane to its
destination faster.
3. If the wind direction is from the side of the airplane, the wind will push the airplane away
from the desired course (route) of flight.
Airplanes, like the balloon, are affected by wind direction. Ships at sea are affected
by wind in the same way.
1. What is wind?
2. How do we know air is moving?
3. Does air always move at the same speed?
4. Does air always move in the same direction?
5. What happens if an airplane flies into the wind?
6. What happens if the wind blows against the rear of the airplane?
7. What will an airplane do if the wind blows against its side?
UNIT 5 ACTIVITY
Directions:
Record daily wind direction : N, S, E, W, NE, SE, NW, and SW.
Record daily wind speed : No wind, Mild,
or Strong wind.
TOPIC 4: AIR
Air is all around us even though we cannot see it. It covers our entire Earth in
a layer several hundred miles thick, but 90% of air is concentrated in the lowest ten
miles. This bottom layer contains oxygen as well as other gases. Life on our planet
needs oxygen to survive. The experiments in this Unit will involve several properties
of our invisible air.
Humidity
Humidity is the amount of moisture in the air. Relative humidity is the amount of
moisture in a given body of air compared with the amount it is capable of holding at
the prevailing pressure and temperature conditions.
Relative humidity is determined with the help of a wet and dry bulb thermometer
or a sling called Psychrometer.
Thermometer
The atmosphere and the earth receive their warmth from the sun. This warmth
may vary from place to place and from day to day. The degree of hotness or
coldness of the air around us is called temperature.
Temperature affects our activities, the amount of clothing we wear, the kind of
outdoor exercise we take and the amount and kind of food and liquid we consume.
An air mass is a large body of air that has approximately the same
temperature and moisture content. Each air mass has a different temperature and
moisture content. When two different air masses meet, they do not mix easily. When
two air masses collide, they form a front. Fronts are of-great importance to pilots
because they present dangerous weather hazards to aviation activities.
The four types of fronts are : Cold front, Warm front, Occluded front and Stationary
front.
Blue lines are cold fronts and red lines are warm fronts.
UNIT 5 ACTIVITY
TEMPERATURE
WIND
SPEED
WIND
DIRECTION
AIR
PRESSURE
SKY CONDITION
1. clear
2. cloudy
3. foggy