AVS 1201 Aviation Meteorology
Fall 2009
Catalog Course Description:
AVS 1201 AVIATION METEOROLOGY (3 credits). Initial course in meteorology for flight students and
aviation professionals. Includes meteorological codes, charts and aviation bulletins, and identification of
potentially hazardous in-flight weather conditions. Also addresses atmospheric circulation, stability,
convection, moisture, air masses and fronts.
Course Objectives:
To provide the student with an introduction to the science of meteorology and its applications to
aviation.
1. Students will be able to identify and interpret basic weather codes and charts and apply this
information to aircraft operations.
2. Students will gain an understanding of structure of the atmosphere. This knowledge will enhance to
airport planning and safety of flight.
3. Students will understand the structure of various frontal systems and their associated weather
patterns. This knowledge will enable the student to more effectively plan flight and airfield operations.
4. Students will be able to identify cloud types and their associated weather and effectively identify
areas of high threat to aircraft operations.
5. The student will learn the basic physics associated with mid latitude cyclone development.
6. Students will study current Global Climate issues which will lead to a better, more scientifically,
grounded understanding of the issues.
Lead Instructor: T. Utley, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Aeronautical Science
Curriculum Coordinator: K. Oyman, Ph. D., Associate Dean, College of Aeronautics.
Texts and References:
C. Donald Ahrens, Essentials of Meteorology, West Publishing Co., current edition.
FAA, AC-00-45F, Aviation Weather Services
FAA Air Traffic Control Behavioral Objectives/Academic Standards for Initial Qualification Training Air
Traffic Basics document
Topical Content/Classroom Hours
Introduction to earth's atmosphere, radiation theory, sensible and latent heat/3
Air pressure, forces and winds, small scale and local systems/3
Global circulation systems/3
Air Masses Frontal Systems, Cyclones/5
Moisture, Fog, Clouds/3
Atmospheric Stability, Precipitation/6
Thunderstorms, Hurricanes/3
Global Climate/6
Aviation weather codes and charts. METAR, TAF, In-flight advisories, Pilot reports, Radar reports, Winds
and Temps Aloft, Weather Depiction Chart, Radar Summary Chart, Significant Weather Prog Chart/9
Exams and critiques/6
Total Classroom Hours 47
Teaching Media and Delivery Methods:
1. Lecture, required textbooks, reference texts, class discussion, text and graphic projections,
black/white board text and graphic presentations, videos, wall charts, guest lecturers, Internet
references projections, quizzes, exams, research papers or projects, student presentations,
homework, team-building exercises.
2. Laboratory Use
3. Classroom lab sessions using various weather products.
4. Team Training Concepts
5. Collaborative assignments.
Appendix A to AVS 1201 Syllabus
FAA’s Air Traffic Basics Course Objectives Covered in AVS 1201
In order to meet FAA’s Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative requirements, the College of Aeronautics
(CoA) MUST cover the ATC Basics Course topics listed below in the courses comprising the ATC minor.
The CoA has informed the FAA that AVS 1201 is an air traffic minor course and AVT 2201 will cover the
ATC Basics topics and durations identified in Table A - AT-CTI Topic/Course Matrix below. Topic
descriptive details are provided in Table B below.
Instructors must insure these topic and duration requirements are met and can be documented through
course outlines, lesson plans, examinations, etc.
Table A - AT-CTI Topic/Course Matrix
Table B – ATC Basic Course Topics and Objectives
Reference: FAA Air Traffic Control Behavioral Objectives/Academic Standards for Initial Qualification
Training: Air Traffic Basics
Topic
Objectives
24 Fundamentals of Weather and Aviation Weather Services
Course(s) in which all or portions of this topic are covered:
AVT 1001 Aero 1
AVS 1201 Av Met
AVT 2201 NAS
AVT 3203 ATC 1
AVT 4302 ATC 2
In accordance with AC 00-45F, (Aviation Weather Services, and AC 00-6,) Aviation Weather, you will
identify:
1.
Characteristics of the atmosphere.
2.
Principles of atmospheric temperature.
3.
Characteristics and modification of air masses.
4.
Characteristics of atmospheric pressure.
5.
Formation and types of fronts.
6.
Characteristics of convection currents.
7.
Causes of wind.
8.
Formation and types of clouds.
9.
Formation and types of precipitation.
In accordance with AC 00-45F, Aviation Weather Services, (and AC 00-6, Aviation Weather,) you will
identify the duties and responsibilities of the National Weather Service (NWS) and the Center Weather
Service Unit (CWSU).
25 Hazardous Weather
Course(s) in which all or portions of this topic are covered:
AVT 1001 Aero 1
AVS 1201 Av Met
AVT 2201 NAS
AVT 3203 ATC 1
AVT 4302 ATC 2
In accordance with Aviation Weather,
(AC 00-6 and Aviation Weather Services,) AC 00-45F, and the AIM, you will identify the characteristics of
hazardous weather that impact aviation.
In accordance with Aviation Weather,( AC 00-6 and Aviation Weather Services), AC 00-45F, you will
identify the effects of hazardous weather on aviation.
26 Current Weather
Course(s) in which all or portions of this topic are covered:
AVT 1001 Aero 1
AVS 1201 Av Met
AVT 2201 NAS
AVT 3203 ATC 1
AVT 4302 ATC 2
In accordance with AC 00-45F, Aviation Weather Services (, and AC 00-6, Aviation Weather,) you will
identify the contents of METAR, including associated contractions and terms.
Given examples of current weather reports, and in accordance with AC 00-45F, Aviation Weather
Services, and FAA Order 7110.10, you will decode METARs.
27 Pilot Reports (PIREPs)
Course(s) in which all or portions of this topic are covered:
AVT 1001 Aero 1
AVS 1201 Av Met
AVT 2201 NAS
AVT 3203 ATC 1
AVT 4302 ATC 2
In accordance with FAA Orders 7110.10 and 7110.65, and the AIM, you will identify the purpose, uses
and contents of Pilot Weather Reports (PIREPs).
In accordance with FAA Order 7110.10, you will decode Pilot Weather Reports (PIREPs).
28 Forecasts and Advisories
Course(s) in which all or portions of this topic are covered:
AVT 1001 Aero 1
AVS 1201 Av Met
AVT 2201 NAS
AVT 3203 ATC 1
AVT 4302 ATC 2
In accordance with AC 00-45F, Aviation Weather Services, you will identify the contents and purpose of
the following weather products:
1.
Aviation Terminal Forecast (TAF).
2.
Area Forecast (FA).
3.
Airman’s Meteorological Information (AIRMET).
4.
Significant Meteorological Information (SIGMET).
5.
Convective SIGMET (WST).
6.
Center Weather Advisory (CWA).
7.
Meteorological Impact Statement (MIS).
8.
Winds Aloft Forecast (FB).
In accordance with AC 00-45F, Aviation Weather Services, you will decode the following weather
products:
1.
Aviation Terminal Forecast (TAF).
2.
Area Forecast (FA).
3.
Airman’s Meteorological Information (AIRMET).
4.
Significant Meteorological Information (SIGMET).
5.
Convective SIGMET (WST).
6.
Center Weather Advisory (CWA).
7.
Meteorological Impact Statement (MIS).
8. Winds Aloft Forecast (FB).