Academic report Literature & Language Essay Research (Essay Sample)

Academic report: atmospheric and weather effects on safety of flight
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Abstract
Amongst a myriad of factors and risk management concerns in the world of aviation, weather ranks at the top of the list. Within the subject of weather, pilots must continuously collect and interpret information to make the best decision during all phases of flight. What is the weather now? What will it be in the future? Should I continue or terminate the flight? These are just some of the aviation weather related questions pilots must continuously ask themselves. Pilots are not meteorologists but are expected to have a sound understanding of weather phenomena and the effects it may have on their flight. A flight in Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) can quickly change to one in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC). This can abruptly change the dynamics of flying operations and its associated factors such as performance and task saturation. From fog to thunderstorms and wind to ice, pilots must be well versed and acquainted with their environment and the weather associated with it. This situational awareness affords pilots valuable time to anticipate and react to weather events. Indeed, making the decision to continue or turn around upon encountering unfavorable weather can mean the difference between a safe flight or an accident.
Keywords: accident, aviation, environment, flight, phenomena, thunderstorms, weather
Report: Kauai Helicopter Tour Crash
Kauai, the northernmost island of Hawaii, also known as the “Garden Isle” is home to some of the most scenic landscapes in the world. From tall mountains such as Mount Waialeale, which is one of the wettest places in the world averaging 450 inches of rain a year, to the deep fissures that make up Waimea Canyon, dubbed the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”, Kauai has it all. (Britannica, 2011). Kauai’s diverse topography also gives way to a variety of microclimates: temperate regions, as well as dry sand dune complexes exists along the coast, while wet tropical conditions persist inland along the mountain valleys simultaneously within the island’s 552 square miles. (University of Hawaii, 2013).