Transcript Desert Operation

DESERT OPERATIONS
Caspian
Sea
Med.
Sea
Indian
Ocean
REFERENCES
FM 1-202, Environmental Flight
FM 1-230, Meteorology for Army Aviators, September 1982
FM 90-3, Desert Operations, August 1993
OUTLINE
• Desert Weather
• Desert Flying
• Density Altitude
• Sand
• Hazards to Flight
DESERT WEATHER
Temperature
• Max recorded: 136o F, (58o C). 160o inside a WW2 tank.
• Minimum temperature in Siberian and Gobi deserts dive to -50o F (-45oC).
• Day/night fluctuations reach as much as 72o F in the Sinai
Wind
• Iran is known for its “wind of 120 days”. The wind blows almost constantly
at velocities of up to 70 mph.
• Sandstorms may develop to thousands of feet high and last for several days.
They may form and stop suddenly.
• Visibility may go from 30 miles to 30 ft. in minutes.
Precipitation
• Lack of water is the most important single characteristic of the desert.
• Annual rain fall may vary from 0 to 10 inches.
• Severe thunderstorms may cause flash flooding.
ACCLIMATIZATION
• Significant acclimatization can be attained in 4-5 days
• Full acclimatization takes 7-14 days , with 2-3 hours per day of
exercise in the heat.
• Acclimatization does not reduce, and may increase water intake
DESERT FLYING
DENSITY ALTITUDE
•
•
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Pressure altitude corrected for non-standard
temperature.
Altitude at which your aircraft will perform at.
As DA increases-------air density decreases
DENSITY ALTITUDE

As we increase in altitude-----the
pressure around us decreases
» At sea level/standard day (15oC.)
29.92 in = 14.7 psi.
» At 18,000ft = 7.0psi.

As temperature increases-----the density
(thickness) of the air decreases.
(air molecules move further apart.)
DENSITY ALTITUDE
FL 180
Sea Level
= Air Molecules
Effects of DA on aircraft
performance?

Reduced horsepower (Torque) available.
» As DA incr. - air molecules spread out - less air
going into the engine = less horsepower
(Torque) being produced.

Reduced wing efficiency
» Less air molecules acting on the wings to
produce lift.
RESULTS
Increased takeoff roll
 Reduced climb performance (ft./min.)
 Increased landing distance (higher TAS,
higher GS)
 Decrease in the “excess power available”
 Aircraft response----more sluggish
 Deceleration effects (ability to slow down,
and not fall through)

What to do about it
Plan ahead-----ppc, understand how DA
will affect aircraft performance.
 ANTICIPATE!!!

Sand and the aircraft
•
Engines/blades [blade erosion,wear on
engine components(particle separator,
filters,inlet and turbine blades)]
» higher than normal oil temperatures
•
Avionics
» electricity will attract the dust
» overheat of the black boxes
» lead acid batteries more susceptible to
overheating in the desert
HAZARDS TO FLIGHT
Sandstorms
• Altitudes up to 10,000 feet
• Near zero visibility
• High winds
AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS
Engine TGT
High TGT during engine start
Avionics
High humidity can subject electronics
equipment to malfunction due to corrosion
QUESTIONS??