Learn How Space Weather Impacts Business Aviation at NBAA2015

For operators wondering how space weather may impact business aircraft operations, Friends & Partners in Aviation Weather (FPAW) is hosting an education session on Nov. 18 at NBAA's Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA2015) to explore this issue.

"Space weather has the potential to impact business aviation in several areas, including the radiation environment, radio communications and navigation," said Kent Tobiska, chief scientist, Space Weather Division, and president, Space Environment Technologies.

The session will begin with a briefing on what is space weather, and will continue with a discussion of the aviation radiation environment and its effects on humans. Speakers will then review the progress toward mitigating space weather impacts on aviation.

Space weather includes the following phenomena:

• Solar radiation storms
• Solar flares
• Coronal Mass Ejections

The session will also will examine high-frequency radio communication and wide area augmentation system disruption from a disrupted ionosphere, as well as an analysis of the ICAO/WMO and USG aviation space weather policy initiatives.

On Nov. 19, several weather-related education sessions are scheduled, including:

• Briefings from the National Weather Service (NWS) and the FAA regarding current weather operations, common support services and the NextGen Weather Processor.
• Discussions from experts on predicting runway friction and why that is an important part operations, especially in terms of operating at peak efficiency during the winter.
• The benefits of aircraft reported weather information, in addition to emerging weather research
• The impact of weather on the operation of unmanned aircraft systems

"These weather-related sessions are recommended for anyone who operates an aircraft for business," said Bruce Carmichael, director, Aviation Applications Program, National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). "We invite all NBAA2015 attendees to review the agenda and make plans to attend one or more of these sessions. Input from NBAA Members and other industry stakeholders, no matter the size of their operations, is invaluable to the FAA, NWS and other potential content providers."