Table of Contents
Advertisement
PRIMUSr 880 Digital Weather Radar System
SUBJECT: THUNDERSTORMS
Purpose
This advisory circular describes the hazards of thunderstorms to
aviation and offers guidance to help prevent accidents caused by
thunderstorms.
Cancellation
Related Reading Material
Advisory Circulars, 00- 6A, Aviation Weather, 090- 45B, Aviation
Weather Services, 00- 50A, Low Level Wind Shear.
General
We all know what a thunderstorm looks like. Much has been written
about the mechanics and life cycles of thunderstorms. They have been
studied for many years; and while much has been learned, the studies
continue because much is not known. Knowledge and weather radar
have modified attitudes toward thunderstorms, but one rule continues
to be true - any storm recognizable as a thunderstorm should be
considered hazardous until measurements have shown it to be safe.
That means safe for you and your aircraft. Almost any thunderstorm
can spell disaster for the wrong combination of aircraft and pilot.
Hazards
A thunderstorm packs just about every weather hazard known to
aviation into one vicious bundle.
numerous combinations, let us look at the most hazardous combination
of thunderstorm, the squall line, then we will examine the hazards
individually.
SQUALL LINES
A squall line is a narrow band of active thunderstorms. Often it develops
on or ahead of a cold front in moist, unstable air, but it may develop in
unstable air far removed from any front. The line may be too long to
detour easily and too wide and severe to penetrate. It often contains
steady- state thunderstorms and presents the single most intense
weather hazard to aircraft. It usually forms rapidly, generally reaching
maximum intensity during the late afternoon and the first few hours of
darkness.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Advisory Circulars
A- 4
Advisory Circular 00- 24A, dated
June 23, 1978, is cancelled.
Although the hazards occur in
A28- 1146- 102- 00
Hide quick links:
Advertisement
Table of Contents
