powered by
Center for Curriculum and Transfer Articulation
Aviation Meteorology
Course: AET115

First Term: 1994 Fall
 Lecture   3 Credit(s)   3 Period(s)   3 Load  
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: S


Description: Meteorology for professional pilots. Includes atmosphere, air mass circulation, cloud type identification, weather hazards, and high altitude, Arctic, and tropical weather systems. Basic forecasting, use of Direct User Access Terminal (DUAT) systems and reading and interpreting weather charts



MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Measure temperature and explain its effect upon weather. (I)
2. Determine barometric pressure. (I)
3. Describe high- and low-pressure areas. (I)
4. Describe atmospheric circulation created by fronts and wind systems. (II)
5. Identify types of fronts. (II)
6. Identify cloud types and altitudes. (II)
7. Explain the thunderstorm development cycle. (III)
8. Predict wind shear and explain its effect on an airplane. (III)
9. Differentiate between types of obstructions to visibility. (III)
10. Compare Artic weather systems to tropical weather systems. (IV)
11. Compare and contrast types of weather service providers. (V)
12. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of DUAT. (V)
13. Define common aviation weather report abbreviations. (VI)
14. Identify weather symbols. (VII)
15. Differentiate between area, terminal, and winds-aloft forecasts. (VIII)
16. Interpret weather reports, charts, and forecasts. (VI, VII, VIII)
17. Forecast weather using personal observation and published charts. (IX)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.
 
MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Weather Elements
   A. Vertical structure
   B. Moisture
   C. Temperature
   D. Dew point
   E. Pressure
   F. Precipitation
II. Air Masses
   A. Stability
   B. Frontal weather
      1. Seasonal effects
      2. Cold
      3. Warm
      4. Occluded
      5. Upper
      6. Stationary
   C. Wind systems
      1. Coriolis
      2. Centrifugal
      3. Terrain
      4. Mountain
      5. Valley
      6. Land and sea breezes
   D. Cloud types
      1. Cumuliform
      2. Nimbus
      3. Stratiform
      4. Lenticularis
      5. Fractus
      6. Castellanus
      7. Cirriform
III. Weather Hazards
   A. Thunderstorms
      1. Squall lines
      2. Tornadoes
      3. Saint Elmo`s Fire
      4. Lightning
      5. Development cycle
   B. Turbulence
      1. Wake turbulence
      2. Wind shear
      3. Mountain waves
      4. Jet stream
   C. Fog
      1. Radiation
      2. Advection
      3. Upslope
      4. Frontal
      5. Steam
   D. Low stratus
   E. Visibility obstructions
      1. Haze
      2. Smoke
      3. Blowing dust
      4. Blowing snow
   F. Icing
      1. Frost
      2. Rime
      3. Mixed
      4. Clear
   G. Snow, sleet, and hail
   H. Mountain effects
IV. Special Weather Situations
   A. High altitude
   B. Arctic
   C. Tropical
V. Aviation Weather Services
   A. Weather observers
   B. Forecasting offices
   C. Transcribed Weather En route Briefing (TWEB)
   D. Airport Terminal Information System (ATIS)
   E. Automated Weather observing System (AWOS)
   F. En route Flight Advisory System (EFAS)
   G. Pilot Automated Telephone Answering Service (PATAS)
   H. Direct User Access Terminal (DUAT)
      1. Equipment needed
      2. Reports
      3. Additional services
VI. Weather Reports
   A. Hourly sequence
   B. SIGMETS, AIRMETS, PIREPS, NOTAMS
   C. Abbreviations
VII. Charts
   A. Surface analysis
   B. Depiction
   C. Low-level prognostic
   D. Radar
   E. Construct pressure analysis
   F. tropopause data
   G. Symbols
   H. Abbreviations
VIII. Forecasts
   A. Terminal
   B. Area
   C. Winds aloft
   D. Low-level significant weather
   E. Severe weather outlook
   F. Convective outlook
IX. Decision Report
   A. Forecasting weather
      1. From visible clouds
      2. Pressure trends
      3. Winds
      4. Satellite photos
   B. Flight decisions
      1. Weather forecasts
      2. Available charts
      3. Safety regulations
      4. In-flight weather advisories
 
MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: 4/26/1994

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.