scanner course #5/mission pilot course #2 minnesota wing aircrew training: tasks p-2020, p-2023,...

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


Weather


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


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


Reduced Visibility

Fog Haze Snow White out Blowing dust Affected by sun angle and direction

Aircrew must increase vigilance during these conditions


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.


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


QUESTIONS?


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


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


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


Wake turbulence


Weather — ThunderstormsRemain clear of thunderstorm activity by at least 20 miles

Cumulus Stage Mature Stage Dissipating Stage


High Altitude and Terrain Considerations


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


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


Flight Computer Circular slide rule

– Density altitude– Nautical to statute miles– True airspeed– Other stuff


Density altitude and aircraft weight have a tremendous effect on aircraft performance

Both must be accurately calculated, especially for mountain flying missions

Aircraft Performance


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


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


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


Flight Near Mountainous Terrain


Flight Near Mountainous Terrain

Wind

Flight Path

2000 ft.


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


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


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

scanner course #5/mission pilot course #2 minnesota wing aircrew training: tasks p-2020, p-2023,...

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