Helicopter pilots are thoroughly familiar with the flight characteristics of their craft and the effect of meteorological elements on their craft. The elements of interest to helicopter pilots follow.

WIND. Wind speed, in combination with blade rpm and the forward speed of a helicopter, is critical to rotor blade efficiency and flight safety. Wind direction is important from a navigational aspect.

DENSITY AND PRESSURE ALTITUDE. Air density and the pressure exerted by the atmosphere control the load capacity/operating ceiling of helicopters. At sea these computations are extremely important, because there is little room for error once a helo lifts off the deck of a ship.

FREEZING AND FROZEN PRECIPITA-TION. Freezing and frozen precipitation are extremely dangerous. Accumulations of snow and ice on helicopters prevents them from taking off. AII snow and ice must be removed prior to takeoff.

SURFACE AIR TEMPERATURE. Surface temperatures control the type of lubrication used in certain helicopter systems. In addition to the above elements, there are the normal forecast elements of ceiling, sky, and flight visibility. Under bad weather conditions these elements may well determine the feasibility of conducting helicopter operations, especially at sea.

Now that you have some background informa-tion about environmental briefings, it is time to apply what you have learned. This exercise involves you and either your supervisor, the duty officer, or your chief. Talk to one of them and arrange a time to complete the following:

1. Work up a DD Form 175-1 for a local round-robin flight.

2. Work up a DD Form 175-1 for a cross-country flight with at least one stop along the way.

3. Conduct a flight briefing for both 1 and 2 above for your supervisor, duty officer, or leading chief.

4. Prepare and conduct a route planning briefing for a task force departing Norfolk for the Mediterranean or departing San Diego for Subic Bay in the Philippines.

5. Conduct a local area weather briefing for your peers giving the synoptic situation, and current and forecast conditions for the next 36 hours.

This practical training exercise should be informal. Do not expect too much of yourself at first. Be as thorough as possible in your preparation and strive to follow the rules of good public speaking.

Air Traffic Controller 3 & 2, NAVEDTRA 10367-G, Naval Education and Training Pro-gram Development Center, Pensacola, Fla., 1983.

Briefing Techniques, Programmed Instruction  NOCF-AG-J-001, Naval Oceanography Com-mand, May 1982.

NATOPS General Flight and Operating Instruc-tions, OPNAVINST 3710.7M, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, 31 July 1987.

Procedures for Providing Weather Data and Forecasts for Flight Weather Briefings, and Preparation of DD Form 175-1 and the U.S. Navy Flight Forecast Folder, NAVOCEAN-COMINST 3140.14B, 16 Jan 1986.

U.S. Department of Defense, The Weather Briefers Handbook, AWS Pamphlet 105-58, Dept. of the Air Force, Headquarters Air Weather Service, 16 May 1983.

U.S. Department of Transportation, Aviation Weather for Pilots and Flight Operations Personnel, FAA and Dept. of Commerce, Washington, D.C., 1965.

Privacy Statement - Press Release - Copyright Information. - Contact Us - Support Integrated Publishing