Aviation Weather Solutions

Monitoring weather conditions is vital in the aviation sector due to the dangers that harsh weather can pose to pilots and airline passengers alike. In this blog, we’ll be taking a closer look at some of the main tools used in the aviation industry to measure and control weather conditions.

Rain gauge

A rain gauge is a meteorological instrument that’s designed to measure the amount of precipitating rain present in a given amount of time per unit area. A rain gauge is a simple tool that consists of a collection container that’s placed in an open area to collect rainwater. The amount of water collected is usually measured in millimeters over a given amount of time.

The importance of monitoring rainfall for the aviation industry can not be overstated. Heavy rainfall can have an adverse effect on aerodynamics, and can also impair visibility for pilots, and so automatic rain gauge systems are often chosen over manual systems for aviation purposes to ensure accuracy.

However, rain gauges do have their limitations, as they can be difficult to use in extreme weather conditions. Wind can blow the water out of the gauge, while ice can block the gauge’s entrance and prevent new rainfall from entering. To prevent ice build-up, some advanced rain gauge systems are equipped with heating systems.

Cloud seeding

Cloud seeding is a unique weather modification technique used by aviation companies all over the world to improve a cloud’s ability to produce snow or rain. Cloud seeding generators work by adding condensation nuclei into the atmosphere to provide a base for raindrops or snowflakes to form and fall to the Earth.

Airports use cloud seeding techniques frequently to create consistent weather conditions around their runways. The presence of ice, hail or fog can limit an aircraft’s ability to land or take off, so cloud seeding can change the visual impact of precipitation to make travel safer. Cloud seeding can also maximize the impact of an inevitable precipitation event to prevent future hazardous weather conditions.

Lightning Solutions

Lightning strikes can lead to costly service interruptions and delays and can compromise the safe operation of an aircraft.

There are several different forms of lightning protection that you’ll find on most aircraft. First, the external shell is made of thick metal to offer basic protection and to keep the electromagnetic energy that enters an airplane’s electrical wires at a sustained level. The skin around the interior compartments and cabin of an aircraft is also designed with a metal mesh to conduct electricity around the outside of the vessel to prevent passengers and crew from harmful voltage.

If you’re looking for meteorological or weather management services for civil or military aircraft, get in touch with our expert team at Bayanat Engineering today.