Clouds
Of all visual obstructions while flying, clouds are the largest, thickest, and hardest obstacles to see through. While modern technology has brought about instruments which enable flight in zero visibility, it is still very important to learn about clouds and weather that effect the physics and vision of flying.There are three basic types of clouds. These clouds are named based on appearance. Prefixes and Suffixes are added to the these names to specify the condition of the clouds.
The first type of clouds are called Stratus clouds. These clouds appear as a stretched out "blanket" of water vapor, where a low cold air mass lies beneath a warm air mass. Sometimes, if the air masses are very large, Stratus clouds will stretch on for miles.
The second type of clouds are called Cumulus clouds. These clouds appear as large puffy cotton balls. These clouds are formed when warm, moist air is forced upward into the cooler air above. These clouds may vertically extend upwareds for hundreds of feet if they become Cumulonimbus, or THUNDER clouds.
The last type of clouds are called Cirrus clouds. These clouds appear thin and feathery, like hair. Cirrus clouds only form at very high altitudes, and pilots rarely need to worry about them.
Cloud nomenclature is based on these three clouds. The prefix alto means high. Therefore, if some stratus clouds are forming at high altitudes, then they are altostratus. If a cloud is producing rain, or able to produce rain, then the suffix nimbus is attached. Therefore, if some cumulus clouds are becoming rainy, they are cumulonimbus. If some cumulus clouds are becoming rainy at high altitudes, then they are altocumulonimbus. However, with nimbus taken as a prefix, then the cloud is producing snow. Therefore, a low altitude stratus cloud that is snowing is called a nimbostratus cloud. Its pretty simple once you get the idea.
Simply...
Weather Fronts
Well, it seems like "3" has been our number... and is again. There are 3 basic types of fronts. A front is the line of contact where two air masses with some kind of difference meet each other, and do not mix. Fronts are the reasons for weather disruptions, such as lightning, thunder, etc... Keep in mind while reading this that warm air rises, and cold air falls.
A warm front is a front in which a warm air mass contacts with a cold air mass, and rises over it. Generally stratus or stratonimbus clouds are associated with this type of front. A warm front may not be very noticable because at ground level, the front does not move, or moves very slowly. Therefore, a storm associated with a warm front may last for a while.
A cold front occurs when a cold air mass contacts with a warm air mass and tries to wedge under it. Generally cumulus or cumulonimbus clouds are associated with this type of front. Because there is movement on the surface of the earth, a cold front is very noticable, and may pass by fairly quickly.
An occluded front is a front in which two opposite cold air masses push towards a warm air mass in the middle of them. This causes the warm air mass to moves upwards into the atmosphere. All sorts of clouds and storms are associated with this front, as it is the most chaotic of all.
When a cold front is near your, you will probably notice cloud accumulation. Once it has passed, you will be able to identify an opposite change in wind direction, colder and drier air, and clearer skies. When a warm front passes by, you will notice warmer air with less visibility.
Simply...
Effects of Weather on Aircraft
Although weather has many different minor effects on an airplane, only the most important and relevant factors will be explained in the following paragraphs. The four most noticable, dangerous, and important weather factors when dealing with an airplane are icing, turbulence, visible moisture, and effects of tempurature on indicated altitude.
Icing occurs when water freezes on or inside of an airplane. There are two different kinds of icing, one which effects the aircraft's aerodynamics and one that effects engine performance. When ice forms on the body of the airplane, most commonly on the wing, it can form as clear (glaze) ice, rime ice, and frost. When these layers of ice form on an airplane's wing or body, the aerodynamics of the airplane are reduced dramatically, and more fuel and power is required to keep the airplane aloft. Ice can also form on the windows, creating visibility obstructions, which can be most dangerous on landing.
The second type of icing is known as carburetor icing. This occurs when ice forms inside of the engine's carburetor. The carburetor is where fuel mixes with air before it is sent to the engine. Therefore, if ice forms inside of the carburetor, the engine could stop completely. That would be bad, as the engine is obviously needed to provide thrust, which provides lift. However, all modern airplanes, and most older airplanes have a carburetor heater, which can be used if tempurature is below freezing.
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