Presenter Information

Melanie WetzelFollow

Topic Area

METEOROLOGY

Other Topic Area

Aviation Security

Abstract

Commercial and military flight operations are frequently imperiled or disrupted by meteorological conditions. Severe weather events and climate-related factors create aviation security impacts on airport siting and reliability, human safety, economic stability, military defense strategy, aircraft routing and computer systems vulnerability. Climate trends have been associated with increased frequency of storm surge incursions at coastal airports, intense snowfall accumulations, runway closures due to rainstorm runoff, extended periods of fog/stratus restrictions and severe-weather related risk from lightning, hail and icing. The economic and safety impacts of these events are being incorporated into long-term planning by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), multi-national air service corporations, and global aid agencies.

Climate change is recognized by DoD to be a “threat multiplier” in challenges for global and national defense operations, and should be recognized as a “risk multiplier” by airport managers, aviation weather forecasters and pilots. University programs in applied aviation must include professional training for management of air routes, airport facilities, air fuel delivery, passenger security and cargo transport during disruptions that are increasingly attributed to climate and weather patterns. It is during the unanticipated severe events that airspace monitoring and air terminal protocol become critical. Curriculum enhancement in the crossover disciplines of aviation, atmospheric sciences and security can build the knowledge base, technology expertise and decision-making capabilities necessary for effective response.

Start Date

17-1-2015 8:30 AM

End Date

17-1-2015 10:15 AM

Chair/Note/Host

Chair: Royce Ann Martin

Keywords

Meteorology, Aviation, Aviation Security

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Jan 17th, 8:30 AM Jan 17th, 10:15 AM

Aviation Security Impacts of Meteorological and Climatic Disruption

Commercial and military flight operations are frequently imperiled or disrupted by meteorological conditions. Severe weather events and climate-related factors create aviation security impacts on airport siting and reliability, human safety, economic stability, military defense strategy, aircraft routing and computer systems vulnerability. Climate trends have been associated with increased frequency of storm surge incursions at coastal airports, intense snowfall accumulations, runway closures due to rainstorm runoff, extended periods of fog/stratus restrictions and severe-weather related risk from lightning, hail and icing. The economic and safety impacts of these events are being incorporated into long-term planning by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), multi-national air service corporations, and global aid agencies.

Climate change is recognized by DoD to be a “threat multiplier” in challenges for global and national defense operations, and should be recognized as a “risk multiplier” by airport managers, aviation weather forecasters and pilots. University programs in applied aviation must include professional training for management of air routes, airport facilities, air fuel delivery, passenger security and cargo transport during disruptions that are increasingly attributed to climate and weather patterns. It is during the unanticipated severe events that airspace monitoring and air terminal protocol become critical. Curriculum enhancement in the crossover disciplines of aviation, atmospheric sciences and security can build the knowledge base, technology expertise and decision-making capabilities necessary for effective response.