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Explore the changes in Pacific Region Aviation through a workshop on TAFs, SIGMETs, and more to improve aviation safety and services. Discuss goals and strategies to achieve optimal aviation climatology.
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2005 Pacific Aviation Directors Workshop April 5-7 National Weather Service Pacific Region
Pacific Region Aviation Program Last Year • Guam WFO Aviation Responsibilities • 8 TAFs, Western Pacific SIGMETs, Guam Won Pat Int’l Airport AWW, ROFORs (upon request) • Honolulu WFO Aviation Responsibilities • 16 TAFs, Central Pacific SIGMETs and AIRMETs, Wind/Temp Aloft, ROFORs, and possible HNL AWW
Guam Guam, Rota, Saipan, Tinian, Koror, Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei Honolulu Lihue, Honolulu, Kalaeloa, Kahalui, Hilo, Kona, Molokai, Kapalua, Lanai Pago Pago Johnston Island -closed Midway Island Wake Island -DOD Kwajalein, Majuro, Kosrae Changes in Pacific Region Aviation TAFs – Old Vs. Current
Changes to SIGMETs (SIGnificant METeorological Advisories) in Pacific Region • Last Year – Guam and Honolulu both wrote SIGMETs • Currently – Only Honolulu writes SIGMETs covering Micronesia, Palau, RMI, CNMI and Guam including the Volcanic Ash SIGMETs • SIGMETs are issued for Tropical Cyclones, Volcanic Ash, Severe Tstms, Tornadoes, Hail, Severe Icing, Severe or Clear Air Turbulence
Volcanic Ash SIGMETs • Anatahan within Guam’s Zone forecast but SIGMETs now come from Honolulu. • Haze and/or VOG do not necessarily need a SIGMET – but in the Public Zone Forecast • Deposition of ash would mean a SIGMET would be necessary – observations and coordination between the offices is key
Xfer of SIGMETs From GUM to HFO On Sept. 29th, 2004
AIRman’s METeorolgoical Advisories AIRMETs • Thresholds are below the status of SIGMETs. • Mainly for VFR pilots on Turbulence, Icing and IFR conditions
Strengths of Pacific Region Aviation Program • Each WFO has local verification • Monthly Pacific Regional statistics are run • WFO Guam and WFO Honolulu hold annual Aviation Users Workshop • Provides valuable feedback and outreach • This meeting + continued efforts to meet with users on a regular basis • Using TEMPO and PROB groups less frequently and for 4 hours at most
Different Goals for Pacific Region?... Why? - CONUS sites obtain these VLIFR conditions only 0.5% of the time. PR 20 times less than that. - Pacific Region Aviation Climatology VFR 92% MVFR 7.47% IFR .45% LIFR .05% VLIFR .025%
How will we obtain these goals?... Aviation Climatology and the USERS! • Maybe rain at some of the shorter runways is most significant to users - or any MVFR condition. • Maybe wind direction and speed in the tropical Pacific is most significant to users. • Examine a Database of Hourly Ceilings and Visibility at respective TAF sites. • Track the Avg.Length of Time the values stayed within a specific allowable range of the initial Ceiling or Visibility Value.
Communications • NWS will be responsible for providing the only met comms in Micronesia (per new MOU with the FAA) • NWS will strive to convert Internet to dedicated service – discontinue the use of dial-up • Goal is to cancel AFTN/MET once FAA completes transition of datastream to alternate pathway – AISR • Long term Goal (2-4 yrs.) provide a robust direct comms path utilizing VSAT for met products and data to Micronesia.
National Weather Service 737 Bishop Street Suite 2200 Honolulu, HI 96813 (808) 532-6414 internet sitehttp://www.nws.noaa.gov/pr/hq