Apparatus and method for determining wind profiles and for predicting clear air turbulence

摘要

A clear air turbulence (CAT) detection system performs a nowcast algorithm to detect CAT along the flight path of an aircraft. The aircraft stores computer simulation information of key storm features and utilizes the information in combination with returns from an on-board weather detection and ranging sensor and limited additional meteorological data to predict CAT properties, such as intensity, location, time and probability of occurrence. The additional meteorological data is provided by on-board sensors and/or data link from ground sources. A nowcast predicting turbulence along the flight path in the near future alerts the pilot to the likelihood of encountering clear air turbulence.