Wind: The Greatest Hazard to Aviation Operations

    In my opinion the most hazardous weather to aviation operations is wind because it can be unpredictable, and a multitude of factors affect its characteristics. You cannot see wind either which makes it even more hazardous. Adverse winds were responsible for 52% of weather-related aircraft incidents from 2000-2011 in part 91 operations and turbulence was 74% in part 121 operations (Eick, 2015). Wind can come in the form of turbulence or wind shear which are the most dangerous to aviation operations. The numbers prove that wind is the biggest hazard in aviation operations.

    Wind is created by the horizontal movement of air from high pressure to low pressure across a gradient (PHAK, 2016). It effected by temperature, Coriolis effect, and friction which determine its speed and direction. Turbulence can be created by convective currents near the surface, vertical wind shear, or mountains. Convective currents are caused from the uneven heating or cooling of the earth's surface and can result in up and down downdrafts that cause turbulence (PHAK, 2016). Vertical wind shear is just the difference in wind speed between two heights and this often leads to clear air turbulence (Ahrens & Henson, 2019).  Mountains create what is called Mountain Wave turbulence as stable air moves over the mountain and attempts to return to its original position but as it rises of the mountain it loses moisture and as it descends the leeward side it heats up due to compression (Ahrens & Henson, 2019). This causes it to rise and the process repeats itself up to hundreds of miles as a wave of turbulent air (Ahrens & Henson, 2019).

    Pilots can avoid the hazards of winds by studying the forecast before each flight and receiving up to date weather in flight. Pilots should also learn how to read surface weather maps and upper level atmospheric maps to better understand the winds during their flights. To escape turbulence, pilots should either ascend or descend depending on altitude to clear the turbulent air but also adjusting the speed can reduce the severity. Pilots can also move laterally to avoid some of the turbulence especially if it caused by a geographical feature like a mountain or lake. 

Sources:

Ahrens, C. Donald ., & Henson, Robert. (2019). Meteorology Today: An Introduction to Weather, Climate, and the Environment (12th ed.). Cengage Learning. https://ereader.chegg.com/#/books/9781337671576/cfi/5!/4/4@0.00:52.1

Eick, Donald. (n.d.). Turbulence Related Accidents & Incidents. Office of Aviation Safety, National Transportation Safety Board.https://ral.ucar.edu/sites/default/files/public/events/2014/turbulence-impact-mitigation-workshop-2/docs/eick-turbulencerelatedaccidents.pdf

Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PHAK). (2016). Federal Aviation Administration. https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/pha