weather from a pilots perspective - wmo.int · confidential and proprietary information © cathay...

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Weather from a Pilots Perspective

Captain Mark Hoey

General Manager Operations

Cathay Pacific Airways

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The world is changing: • The basic meteorological syllabus provided at

initial crew training, compared to the way the data is consumed is changing more rapidly now than ever before.

• How the meteorological material is delivered:

Paper Products

Digital Products

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The Basics

• Departure, Destination and Alternate forecast (TAF)

• Enroute weather, winds and temperature

• Hazardous weather

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• Modern technology the automatic expectation is faultless forecasts. This is symptomatic of the digital age.

• Accurate and consistent forecasting is required.

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Portable Electronic Devices

IOS

Windows

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Confidential and Proprietary Information © Cathay Pacific Airways Limited and its subsidiaries

Confidential and Proprietary Information © Cathay Pacific Airways Limited and its subsidiaries

• Sources of data

• Balloon data

• Aircraft sensors

• AMDAR, TAMDAR, TAPS

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• Data granularity verses risk

• Forecast Validity

• With Time Based - 4D

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Data Layers and simplicity

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Polar Regions

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Connectivity

• Complexity of data and the size

• Inflight Updating

• Strategic VS Tactical

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Onboard Weather Radar

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Confidential and Proprietary Information © Cathay Pacific Airways Limited and its subsidiaries

Summary • The content is optimized for the device being used.

• The forecasts need to be accessed simply so the focus is on the mission and weather not selecting layers of data and manipulating the software.

• The information provided is a balance between usability and complexity. The importance prioritized to extracting the correct information.

• Granularity of data is balanced against the threat. Risk Vs Accuracy (Sigmets, Turbulence, Volcanic ash, Ozone, HIWC.)

• Time based, no longer static.

• Connected data, Maintain the balance between Strategic and Tactical

• Understand the limitations of the forecasts.

Thank you

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