Knowledge Deficiency Report

CMET CPL Meteorology

Effect of wind shear A.2.9.8.1(c)
With respect to the phenomena listed below:
state the conditions favourable to their development and where
applicable, their dispersal
recognise signs which may indicate their presence
describe their effect on flight characteristics
where applicable, state the pilot actions required to minimise their
effect on an aircraft in flight:

Wind shear is defined as a sudden change of wind velocity and/or
direction. Wind shear may be vertical or horizontal, or a mixture of both
types.
Vertical wind shear: is defined as change of horizontal wind direction
and/or speed with height, as would be determined by means of two or
more anemometers mounted at different heights on a single mast.

Horizontal wind shear: is defined as change of horizontal wind direction
and/or speed with horizontal distance.

The main effects of wind shear are:
Turbulence;
Violent air movement (up- or down-draughts or swirling or rotating air
patterns);
Sudden increase or reduction of airspeed;
Sudden increase or decrease of groundspeed and/or drift.

Clear Air Turbulence (CAT), which may be very severe, is often associated with
jet streams.
Rotor action or down-draughts in the lee of mountain waves can create
difficult flying conditions and may even lead to loss of control.

The most dangerous condition for wind sheer is when on climb from
takeoff or approach for the landing, the combination of low speeds and low
altitude can potentially be disastrous.





Interpret TAF/ ARFOR - A.2.9.10.3

With reference to CASA documents, extract, decode and apply information
contained in an ARFOR, TAF, TTF,METAR, SPECI, AIRMET, SIGMET.
Note: Decode means the ability to:
decide whether a particular forecast is valid for a flight
interpret any coded information into plain language.

Example TAF:
TAF YMMB 240453Z 2406/2418
29015G25KT 9999 -SHRA SCT030 SCT040
BECMG 2408/2410 32014KT 9999 SCT025 SCT040
INTER 2406/2408 5000 SHRA BKN015
RMK FM240600 MOD TURB BLW 5000FT
T 13 12 11 11 Q 1027 1028 1028 1027

Into plain language. Its a TAF for Moorabbin. It was released on the 24
th
of the
month at 14:53 local. Its validity is from 4pm local to 4am on the 25
th
(local).
From the beginning of the TAF until around 6pm/10pm the wind is coming from 290
degrees, and is 15 knots with occasional gusts to 25 knots. The vis is greater than 10
km, light showers of rain, scattered cloud base at 3000 ft (scattered= 3-4 octas) and
another layer of scattered cloud with a base of 4000 ft.
Between 4pm and 6pm there are periods not exceeding 30 minutes where the
visibility will drop to 5km, the showers of rain will no longer be light, and the cloud
base will drop to 1500 ft and be broken (5-7 octas.)
VFR is allowed at all times for the period of this TAF. An alternate or 30 mins holding
would be required during the inter, since the vis is less than 8km.


Interpret TAF/ ARFOR - A.2.9.10.3
As Above/ will demonstrate

Interpret TAF/ ARFOR - A.2.9.10.3
As Above/ will demonstrate










Thunderstorm hazards A.2.9.8.1(h)
With respect to the phenomena listed below:
state the conditions favourable to their development and where
applicable, their dispersal
recognise signs which may indicate their presence
describe their effect on flight characteristics
where applicable, state the pilot actions required to minimise their
effect on an
aircraft in flight:

Severe turbulence, Airframe icing, severe updrafts lightning, Hail, Squalls and
gusts,
Winds shear, Microbursts, dust storms, reduced visibility pressure differences
resulting in erroneous altimeter or pressure instrument readings

Stages of a thunderstorm are:
Developing stage: Clouds grow rapidly, strong updrafts, no precipitation as
updrafts hold water droplets, possibly virga and severe airframe icing in the
clouds above freezing level.

Mature stage: The water droplets are too heavy and fall, friction between the
moving water droplets and rising air cause air to move down and create updrafts
and downdrafts, producing vertical windshear and severe turbulence.
Lightening is present along with strong squalls immediately in front of the storm
and heavy rain.

Dissipating stage: This is the final stage of the storm, where the cloud has risen
to its peak and the icy caps of cirrus flow away to create an anvil. The air warms
to that of the environment and the downdrafts weaken the cloud evaporates and
once the cell air reaches environment temperature the storm has finished.

Cloud formation around mountains A.2.9.8.1(e)
Mountain waves: Mountain waves are common in the Australia winter. They
will generally form when stable layer of air at the height of the mountain tops is
sandwiched between and unstable layer at the bottom and a less stable layer of
air above. A wind speed of at least 25 kts is required at the mountain tops,
increasing in speed as height is increased. They usually form when the wind
direction is at right angles or close to right angles to the mountain. Ie. Westerly
winds over the Great Diving Range in winter.

A side effect to mountain waves are on thee lee side, where the wind is trapped
beneath the two layers and causes a waving or rolling motion. This is where the
severe turbulence, updrafts and downdrafts are located. Lenticular almond
shaped clouds form above and beyond the lee side indicating mountain waves,
and rotor clouds form where there is rolling and severe turbulence on the lee
side.

When crossing a mountain range it is highly regarded that you cross at a near 45
degree angle for ease of turning around and escaping the winds.