Learn to Fly

APRIL 11, 2024

The saying “ in like a lion out like a lamb ” is most often used for March, but April can also be a crazy weather month. Once the decision is made to divert, the next decision is to return to the departure, continue to the alternate (which was determined as part of flight planning), or pick a new destination to get out of the weather.

Weather 40

Weather Wind Shear Turbulence Ceiling 40

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 15, 2024

Weather experts classify storms as single-cell, multi-cell, squall line, or supercell. Thunderstorms create turbulence, wind shear, and icing risks for aircraft. Pilots should use weather forecasts and SIGMETs for safe flight planning. Key weather features include: Multiple updrafts and downdrafts.

Wind Shear 52

Wind Shear Weather Turbulence Flight Plan 52

Plane and Pilot

JANUARY 8, 2025

My time studying the weather proved itself well spent as the flight to Portland was uneventful and a beautiful sight. Most seemed to be using more flaps than normal for takeoff, the idea being to get away from the ground as quickly as possible to minimize their time near the ground, where a wind shear could have serious consequences.

Crosswind 97

Crosswind Wind Shear Knot Airplanes 97

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 17, 2024

These weather alerts each have their own role: AIRMETs warn about moderate conditions like turbulence, icing, and limited visibility, which can affect smaller or less equipped aircraft. SIGMETs alert pilots to more severe weather events like thunderstorms, volcanic ash, or strong turbulence that could pose serious risks to any flight.

UTC 52

UTC Turbulence Weather Knot 52

Fear of Landing

MARCH 22, 2024

Airborne Wind Shear Detection During the 1980s and 1990s, NASA led a comprehensive research program to identify the characteristics of dangerous wind shear and validated technologies that can predict its severity while in flight.

Wind Shear 52

Wind Shear Airfoil Drag Airline 52

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 5, 2024

In aviation, staying ahead of the weather is a must. When weather conditions shift unexpectedly, that’s when a SPECI report comes in. A SPECI (or Special Report) offers a quick weather update between the routine METARs. Let’s explore how SPECIs are going to help you plan around unexpected weather twists.

Altimeter 52

Altimeter Weather Wind Shear Runway 52

Ask Captain Lim

MAY 21, 2024

However, careful analysis of horizontal wind shear on computer flight plans can sometimes reveal turbulence ahead. Most flight planning systems consider wind speed 1,000 feet below and 1,000 feet above the cruising level.

Turbulence 59

Turbulence Wind Shear Cabin Crew Flight Plan 59

Air Facts

OCTOBER 14, 2024

The equilibrium in a confined space is easy to see, but in the infinite space where several weather phenomena are competing and contemplating their actions at once, equilibrium is not often the result. Ah, a wind shear and a lot worse was going to mess with our landing. As we turned back, the wind shear hit.

Turbulence 52

Turbulence Wind Shear Knot Lift 52

Chess In the Air

JULY 4, 2022

I have tried to wait out a storm only to watch a bigger and badder one to move in and the overall weather situation getting worse. We should also observe the ground for other markers such as the disturbed surface of lakes, wind rushing through crop fields, blowing smoke, etc. We need to watch out for all markers of high surface winds.

Wind Shear 52

Wind Shear AGL Lift Runway 52

Photographic Logbook

APRIL 19, 2024

This year, a promising weather forecast featuring high freezing levels (expected to be 9,000+ feet) led to a decision to fly myself. The day before departure, satisfied that days of consistent weather forecasts reasonably assured a successful flight, I cancelled the rental car reservation. So that was of no help to me.

Approach 69

Approach Wind Shear Runway VOR 69

Pilot Institute

MAY 1, 2024

The weather can change, and approach equipment can fail. ATIS broadcasts usually include active runways, available approaches, important NOTAMs, and the weather. Get the destination weather as soon as possible. Use the weather (along with the NOTAMs) to ensure your chosen approach is still the best choice.

Approach 52

Approach NOTAMs Runway Weather 52

Chess In the Air

JUNE 24, 2022

He frequently hosted visiting pilots, providing them with detailed briefings of the area and the weather. The CAPE index, a measure of convective energy and instability, was below 100 joules, indicating a very low probability of severe weather or thunderstorms. Boundary layer winds were moderate at 10-20 kt out of the WNW.

Pilot 52

Pilot AGL Wind Shear Runway 52

Pilot's Life Blog

JANUARY 5, 2025

Review current weather conditions, including wind speed, direction, and visibility, as these can significantly impact the approach. Wind shear, turbulence, or gusty winds can create challenges during the landing phase, so knowing how to adjust for these factors is critical.

Descent 52

Descent Final Approach Approach Runway 52

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 2, 2024

The peppering of rain on the windshield, the darkening of thick clouds, or the battering of wind shear all deliver a clear message that some piloting is now required. We never want former students to have to learn these lessons on their own—after certification.

Runway 52

Runway Wind Shear Crosswind Ceiling 52

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 2, 2024

The peppering of rain on the windshield, the darkening of thick clouds, or the battering of wind shear all deliver a clear message that some piloting is now required. We never want former students to have to learn these lessons on their own—after certification.

Runway 52

Runway Wind Shear Crosswind Ceiling 52

Vintage Aviation News

FEBRUARY 12, 2025

National Museum of the US Navy) As night fell over the Jersey shore, the USS Akron cut a path through thick fog and severe weather, unknowingly flying into a violent stormfront. In the midst of the storm, the weakened ring’s structure failed as the result of a wind shear, and the upper vertical stabilizer was torn from the airship.

Lift 59

Lift Tail Stability Wind Shear 59

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 15, 2025

The pilots fought to recover, but the wind shear was too strong. This weather phenomenon is called a microburst , one of aviations deadliest threats. Key Takeaways Microbursts can cause severe wind shear and downdrafts. It is the most severe type of wind shear. So, what makes microbursts so dangerous?

Wind Shear 59

Wind Shear Weather Descent Approach 59

Flying Magazine

MAY 1, 2024

Answer: When looking at the surface analysis chart issued every three hours by meteorologists at the Weather Prediction Center (WPC), you may have seen a tan dashed line with a label “OUTFLOW BNDRY” nearby. Crescent-shaped convective outflow boundary as detected on NEXRAD Doppler weather radar.

Wind Shear 114

Wind Shear Weather Turbulence AGL 114

Aerotime

JULY 26, 2024

However, the aircraft experienced wind shear, dropped below the glideslope and became thrust deficient. During the final approach, the pilot reduced engine throttles to manage airspeed and align with the Instrument Landing System glideslope. The crew did not notice the aircraft’s dropping vertical velocity until it was too late.

Wind Shear 269

Wind Shear Instrument Landing System Final Approach Runway 269

Professional Pilot

MAY 10, 2024

Here, ocean currents and large-scale weather patterns often collide. Climate Scientist Significant weather prognostic chart for the north Atlantic. These charts show areas where thunderstorms, turbulence, and other weather hazards may occur on transatlantic routes. By Karsten Shein Comm-Inst.

Weather 40

Weather Turbulence Wind Shear Jet 40

Pilot Institute

JUNE 26, 2024

Weather Go-arounds due to weather occur due to wind shear caused by gusting winds or microbursts. When an aircraft encounters horizontal wind shear, it could be blown off centerline. Similarly, if an aircraft encounters vertical wind shear, it reduces or increases the sink rate.

Wind Shear 52

Wind Shear Runway Approach Aeronautical Decision-Making 52

Plane and Pilot

JULY 2, 2024

You should go only if the weather is as benign as forecast, good alternates exist, and you feel good about doing it. Thunderstorms, wind shear, severe icing, thick fog, strong crosswinds, and density altitude producing a negative climb rate are all factors that absolutely must be considered in the context of our ability to fly.

Density Altitude 61

Density Altitude Airplanes Wind Shear Pilot 61

Ask Captain Lim

APRIL 12, 2024

However, in Cat II or Cat III approaches that allow pilots to land in extremely bad weather using auto land, some experts argue against going around, deeming it safer to continue with the landing. During final approach at Orly Airport, the crew received a wind-shear warning, prompting them to go around and discontinue with the landing.

Pilot 52

Pilot Wind Shear Final Approach Approach 52