Why the "varying" wind on the ATIS?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Europe
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Why the "varying" wind on the ATIS?
What is the point in reporting the wind as eg. "360 degrees at 6 knots, varying between 330 and 020.... " instead of "360 at 6"?
We all know that the wind is varying a bit, it is measured outside isn't it?
This useless information means it takes longer time to get the info we really need.
The "varying" wind may be useful when there is more than 20 knots or so of cross-wind component.
We all know that the wind is varying a bit, it is measured outside isn't it?
This useless information means it takes longer time to get the info we really need.
The "varying" wind may be useful when there is more than 20 knots or so of cross-wind component.
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: oxford
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The word "varying" has a specific meaning in a METAR, which is effectively what an ATIS is. It means that the wind direction is changing 60 degrees or more. This is enough to make a very significant difference to a cross-wind, or even to turn a headwind into a tailwind - which could have serious implications on your landing distance performance.
The inclusion of just one 3-syllable word to alert you to a 60 degree change of wind is not very time-consuming in relation to the importance of the information. The people who devise METAR and TAF formats give it quite a lot of thought, you know.
You could reciprocate this time and thought by learning your METAR decodes and, as a pilot, keeping your side of the bargain!
The inclusion of just one 3-syllable word to alert you to a 60 degree change of wind is not very time-consuming in relation to the importance of the information. The people who devise METAR and TAF formats give it quite a lot of thought, you know.
You could reciprocate this time and thought by learning your METAR decodes and, as a pilot, keeping your side of the bargain!
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: UK
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sounds like some of you have never had to sit through fifteen stations on the Volmet cause you just missed the one you want!
Believe me on a short sector with a very slow robot droning on about"wind..........two ....three .....zero.... at.....five knots..................variable....... between .... two.....zero....(got the picture?)
Meanwhile your mate conducts single pilot operation!
Believe me on a short sector with a very slow robot droning on about"wind..........two ....three .....zero.... at.....five knots..................variable....... between .... two.....zero....(got the picture?)
Meanwhile your mate conducts single pilot operation!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Europe
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
oxford blue
I realize the term "varying" has a specific meaning. (And thanks for not talking down to me...)
If the "varying" of a six knots wind has "serious implications" on my runway performance, I am probably operating at a runway where I should not have been in the first place, don't you think?
Part of my point is that you should always expect the wind to vary a bit, both from what it was seconds ago, and specially from what it was when the last ATIS was recorded.
I realize the term "varying" has a specific meaning. (And thanks for not talking down to me...)
If the "varying" of a six knots wind has "serious implications" on my runway performance, I am probably operating at a runway where I should not have been in the first place, don't you think?
Part of my point is that you should always expect the wind to vary a bit, both from what it was seconds ago, and specially from what it was when the last ATIS was recorded.
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"If the "varying" of a six knots wind has "serious implications" on my runway performance, I am probably operating at a runway where I should not have been in the first place, don't you think? "
If the wind is varying 220 - 330 on RW26 then its not such a big deal but if its varying 330 - 040 on the same runway then you have to assume a tailwind as if the wind were to vary to 040 direction as you were landing.
The aircraft which I fly can accept a maximum of 9 kts of tailwind on one of the runways at Jersey at MLW so if the mean wind is 360/10 its nice to know if its varying into a tailwind.
If the wind is varying 220 - 330 on RW26 then its not such a big deal but if its varying 330 - 040 on the same runway then you have to assume a tailwind as if the wind were to vary to 040 direction as you were landing.
The aircraft which I fly can accept a maximum of 9 kts of tailwind on one of the runways at Jersey at MLW so if the mean wind is 360/10 its nice to know if its varying into a tailwind.
