Sessions were held with the standing committees on aircraft design, simulation, general services, and general aviation. It was stated that current procedures for designing structural components with respect to turbulence forcing functions were adequate. It was agreed that the ultimate goal of aviation weather services was the delivery of accurate and timely information to the cockpit flight crew

Sprinkle, C. H.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

SUMMARY REPORT OF COMMITTEE A 
Charles H. Sprinkle 
National Weather Service 
Committee Composition: 
I. 
(See Table 4 ,  page 11 ) 
Session with Standing Committee on Aircraft Design 
structural (strength) components with respect to turbulence 
forcing functions are adequate; however, it was emphasized 
that we must be sure to separate structural (strength) 
components and control components in our discussions. 
Engineering procedures - are adequate (aircraft do not break 
up in flight). It was agreed that there is sufficient 
turbulence data available to do adequate modeling; however, 
it may be well to look into an updated discrete gust model. 
Newer, more sophisticated aircraft do not behave like the 
old aircraft. 
It was stated that current procedures for designing 
Spectral models are an improvement over discrete gust 
models. Spectral models give you everything the discrete 
gust model gives you, plus more. The amount of effort is 
identical; however, the numbers may need updating--at least 
someone should take a look at it. 
to give better numbers now. 
expressed. The atmosphere is very different below 2,000 ft. 
We need more information on low level eddies, also need more 
information on the patchiness of turbulence at all levels. 
There is a lack of correlation at low altitudes in the U, V, 
and W components at the same time. Rolling effects should 
be considered in aircraft design. 
on wind shear for design purposes. Need wind profiles, and 
they should be incorporated into specifications. 
storms and other severe weather we can't design for the worst 
We're in a better position 
A need to update meteorological data below 2,000 Et. was 
Information is also needed 
For thunder- 
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https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19780011785 2020-03-20T13:12:39+00:00Z
cases. As  for wind shear, it's not a design (structure) 
problem, it's a control problem! 
is needed. 
We really don't know the impact of lightning on onboard 
digital systems. 
elements is sufficient for design purposes. 
11. 
With respect to lightning, more detection design work 
Data are not sufficient and not fully understood. 
The state of the art for forecasting meteorological 
Session with Standing Committee on Simulation 
There are no standard models. In fact, there are 
several within one company. 
and turbulence models. Some models are better for some 
things than others. 
Simulator models cannot take care of all cases. There must 
be a bounds placed on the simulation (average, extreme, and 
moderate). 
There are several types of wind 
Models are generally oversimplified. 
In reference to turbulence model studies, authors should 
be encouraged to include mathematical methods for solution 
in their papers. 
how to arrive at the solution. 
that current turbulence simulation models are adequate. 
the meteorological data is sufficient to simulate the effects 
of icing, temperature variations, humidity variations, etc. 
being collected in the form of profiles in the lower atmos- 
phere. The FAA (NAFEC) will be the principal source of this 
data. 
shortly (within the next year). 
Frequently it's not readily apparent as to 
The persons more deeply involved in simulation stated 
Also, 
It was pointed out that a wealth of data is currently 
It will be possible to have this new data available 
111. Session with Standing Committee on General Services 
aviation weather services is the delivery of accurate and 
timely information to the cockpit flight crew. 
At the outset, it was agreed that the ultimate goal of 
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a 
There were several items raised which demand action to 
provide better service. They were: 
More frequent updates of the Transcribed Weather 
Broadcasts (TWEB)--make it a higher priority job 
within the Flight Service Stations (FSS) (need 
someone from the FSS side of the house within FAA 
to speak to this problem); 
SIGMET's not being broadcast on VOR; 
NAMFAX circuit has too much information moving on 
it that does not support aviation (NWS will examine 
the circuit and attempt to remove some extraneous 
charts). 
Other items and questions raised were: 
There is a need for a pilot's satellite "handbook" 
to aid the pilot in the interpretation of satellite 
information. 
With regard to the dependability of data, the 
question was asked, "How much are you willing to 
'pay' for small improvement in an already good 
system?" This was unanswered. 
With respect to the shortage of personnel in mete- 
orology and aviation weather services, little hope 
was offered for increased personnel. The aviation 
industry pointed out to NWS that quality control 
of products and services is vital and should be 
sought at every opportunity. 
0 As far as weather training as a service, it was 
noted that forecaster-to-pilot briefing is an 
education to both of the participants in the exer- 
cise. 
The responsibility for aviation weather research 
was noted to be splintered among many agencies. 
N O M ,  DOD, FAA, NASA, etc., all appear to be 
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311 
doing something. 
coordinated? It was felt that the role of the 
Federal Coordinator should be brought more into 
play, defining the content and quality of R&D as 
well as defining the direction we are heading. 
Question was asked concerning follow-ups of 
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recom- 
mendations--who has the authority? 
out that there is now a specific office within FPA, 
formed recently, that is bird-dogging NTSB recom- 
mendations. 
To what extent are the programs 
FAA pointed 
Discussion concluded with recommendations on a future 
aviation workshop : 
A more structured meeting in 1-2 years; 
Attempt to include representatives from some 
groups absent from this initial effort; 
Include persons with decision-making authority; 
and 
A more complete package to participants in advance 
of the workshop (some important inputs could be 
gathered before coming to the meeting). 
IV. Session with Standing Committee on General Aviation 
The initial item under discussion centered around edu- 
cation. How do you make pilots aware of  what is available 
and where to get it (films, etc.)? A publication (such as 
the Airmen's Information Manual) could list available infor- 
mation. Also, some feeling was expressed that student 
pilots should be given some actual in-flight experience with 
bad (IFR) weather (under proper supervisions, of course). 
Education should also pass from the pilot to others. Pilots 
should be informed that they have the responsibility of 
passing weather information to the tower, UNICOM, etc., in 
312 
regard to wind shear, winds not as forecast or not as 
indicated, etc. There is a real need for timely exchange 
of safety information between all concerned. 
Several other items were touched upon briefly. They 
Too much background noise on ATIS (Automatic 
included : 
Terminal Information Service) --difficult to under- 
stand; 
0 TWEB/PATWAS updating not frequent enough--"Updating 
"WEB is 9 or 10 on the FSS priority list"; 
observations; 
operations (should include altitude restrictions 
on UNICOM); 
practices should be examined for things that do 
not apply to all aircraft and airports. 
is needed to bring them in line with the real 
world; 
0 Not enough emphasis is placed on the human factor 
in accident investigation--especially in general 
aviation accidents ; 
0 What are the time definitions of ocnl, vrbl, etc. 
. . . (the definitions are available in NWS and 
FAA publications). 
927 airports have instrument approaches without 
Need an FAA publication on good practices of UNICOM 
In the A.I.M., the section on good operating 
A rewrite 
In conclusion, it was pointed out the importance of 
proper attitude in pilots. Proper attitude must be instilled 
--you cannot legislate common sense! 
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