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Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2
Minnesota Wing Aircrew Training: Tasks P-2020, P-2023, P-2024
Weather Effects on Scanning
Wake Turbulence
High Altitude and Terrain Considerations
Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2
Weather
Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2
The most important aspect of weather is its impact on flight conditions
Safety is paramount Navigation — Visual verses Instruments Effects on Search
– Prevailing visibility– Search visibility– Search patterns and altitudes
Information — National Weather Service, Flight Service Stations, Pilot Reports
Weather
Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2
Reduced Visibility
Under almost all circumstances, VFR daytime flight requires:– At least three miles visibility– When clouds cover more than one-half the sky,
cloud bases must be no lower than 1,000 ft. AGL– Search aircraft must usually remain at least 500
ft. below the cloud deck There are exceptions: ask your PIC
Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2
Reduced Visibility
Fog Haze Snow White out Blowing dust Affected by sun angle and direction
Aircrew must increase vigilance during these conditions
Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2
Turbulence Can reduce scanning effectiveness
– Increases fatigue– Interferes with scan
Plan flights around high terrain carefully
Wind currents on the downwind side can be very strong
Ridges and peaks should be cleared by at least 2000 feet
Wind
Flight Path
2000 ft.
Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2
Flight Precautions
Each member of the aircrew must be vigilant during all phases of flight– Assign each an area to watch
Characterize visibility in the search area to establish the proper scanning range– May be different than assumed
Visibility conditions or turbulence may increase fatigue
Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2
QUESTIONS?
Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2
Wind Shear- Appears as a change in wind direction and/or speed within a very short distance in the atmosphere
Thunderstorms
Fronts - wind shear may advance as far as 15 nm
Air flow around obstacles
Windward
Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2
Wind Shear
Two potentially hazardous situations, dangerous mainly during landing:– Tailwind turns calm or to a headwind– Headwind turns calm or to a tailwind
Pilot must adjust quickly
Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2
Wake turbulence Caused by aircraft moving through the air
generating lift (proportional to weight) Settle 500 to 800 feet below the flight path Drift out slowly (5 mph) on the ground Takeoff before, land after other aircraft
Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2
Wake turbulence
Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2
Weather — ThunderstormsRemain clear of thunderstorm activity by at least 20 miles
Cumulus Stage Mature Stage Dissipating Stage
Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2
High Altitude and Terrain Considerations
Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2
A barometer is used to register changes in pressure; measured in inches of mercury
Standard sea-level pressure and temperature:– 29.92 inches of mercury– 59 degrees F (15 degrees C)
A change of 1000 feet in elevation makes a change of about one inch
To correct for local elevation, set altimeter to latest reading (ATIS/AWOS/ASOS/FSS) or enter field elevation
Atmospheric Pressure
Sea Level = 15 lbs per sq inSea Level = 15 lbs per sq in
18,000 ft = 7.5 lbs per sq in18,000 ft = 7.5 lbs per sq in
10,000 ft = 10 lbs per sq in10,000 ft = 10 lbs per sq in
Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2
Density Altitude Three factors:
– Pressure– Temperature– Humidity
Altitude and pressure combined to determine pressure altitude Add non-standard temperature to get density altitude Pilots calculate (next slides) or can get on ASOS
– Affects takeoff, climb, true air speed
Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2
Flight Computer Circular slide rule
– Density altitude– Nautical to statute miles– True airspeed– Other stuff
Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2
Density altitude and aircraft weight have a tremendous effect on aircraft performance
Both must be accurately calculated, especially for mountain flying missions
Aircraft Performance
Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2
As altitude increases pressure decreases; this decrease can have a pronounced effect on flight:– Engine (hp) and prop are less efficient– Take off distance, climb rate, and landing distance
effected Take off distance almost doubles with a 5000 foot
elevation increase Rate of climb slows with higher elevation Landing distance increases with higher elevation Higher Humidity, Heat or Height result in reduced
aircraft performance
Pressure vs. Performance
Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2
Effects of Density Altitude
Takeoff Roll at Sea LevelTakeoff Roll at Sea Level Takeoff Roll at 5,000 ft Density AltitudeTakeoff Roll at 5,000 ft Density Altitude
Climb at Climb at LOWERLOWER Density Altitude Density Altitude
Climb at Climb at HIGHERHIGHER Density Altitude Density Altitude
Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2
Don’t fly at high elevation during the hottest part of the day
Carefully calculate DA and weight Reduce load:
– Less fuel– Crew of three instead of four– Less baggage
Remember “High to Low, Look out Below” (update altimeter setting hourly)
If you fly in the mountains, take the Mountain Fury Course
Strategies
Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2
Flight Near Mountainous Terrain
Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2
Flight Near Mountainous Terrain
Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2
Flight Near Mountainous Terrain
Wind
Flight Path
2000 ft.
Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2
Dehydration The loss of water through the skin, lungs and kidneys
never ceases– Loss increases as the humidity drops with increasing altitude
Symptoms are dryness of the tissues and resulting irritation of the eyes, nose and throat
Minimize intake of coffee, tea, cola or cocoa since they contain caffeine and other chemicals
Strategies– Drink plenty of fluids– Increase air flow (vents and windows)– If the search objective allows, reduce temperature by
climbing to higher altitude
Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2
Effects of Altitude on Crew Member Performance
Ear Block– Congestion around the Eustachian tube makes pressure equalization difficult– Can produce severe pain and a loss of hearing that can last from several
hours to several days (can rupture eardrum) Sinus Block
– Sinus congestion makes pressure equalization difficult, particularly during descent
– Can produce severe pain Hypoxia (Lack of oxygen to the brain)
– Loss of night vision as low as 5,000 feet– For most people altitudes above 12,000 feet result in a loss of judgment ,
coordination, memory, and alertness– Normally not a concern for non-mountainous CAP operations (usually below
12,000 MSL) – Body has no built-in warning system against hypoxia
Scanner Course #5/Mission Pilot Course #2
Strategies
Ear Block– Yawn, swallow, tense muscles in throat– Valsalva maneuver
Sinus Block– Don’t fly if you’re not well– Medication usually not effective and has side
effects Hypoxia
– Avoid smoking, alcohol and depressants– Supplemental oxygen