XXVI OSTIV Congress 30 July - 6 August 2003 Leszno, Poland

Papers presented within the Meteorology Session
E. Lorenzen and O. Liechti	TopTask-Meteorological Flight Planning for Soaring
W. Hindman, R. McAnelly, B. Cotton, T. Pattist and R. Worthington	An unusual high summertime wave flight
C. Lindemann	Thermal infrared Measurements- useful for glider pilots
Z. Aslan	Modelling and classification of mountain waves
M. Dinges	The total energy variometer in the flow field of thermals

Future of Meteorological Panel

1. Brainstorming about specific questions: What do we know about microturbulence? (in respect of microlights) How to forecast severe turbulence? What is the turbulence-spectrum to be considered for glider constructions? What can be done with the logger files from (cross country) flights ? What do we know about cloud streets and rolls ?

2. To increase and expand the members participating the Met-Panel-meetings more internationally a meeting is planned USA parallel to the SSA-Convention in Atlanta/February 2004.

Papers presented within the Meteorology Session

E. Lorenzen and O. Liechti: TopTask-Meteorological Flight Planning for Soaring

Modern meteorological forecasts for gliding provide the diurnal evolution of convective lift rates and the wind.. A technique named TopTask has been developed to establish flight plans for individual flight tasks. Flight plans can be obtained for all types of soaring flight: slow gliders with low glide ratio and wing loading - which are more sensitive to wind - may be scheduled as well as fast gliders with high glide ratio and wing loading. Interactive pre- flight optimisation of tasks is possible in real-time for all types of gliders and based on routine forecasts. Analysis of recorded flight data and their comparison with the forecast meteorological flight plan can be useful to meteorologists and pilots. Task setting for individual and for contest flights can be substantially simplified by this new technique.

W. Hindman, Ray McAnelly and Bill Cotton, Todd Pattist and Richard Worthington: An unusual high summertime wave flight

One of the highest wave flights ever achieved over the Catskill Mountains of southern New York State USA (17,990 ft or 5485 m MSL) was investigated. The flight was made by Todd Pattist surprisingly on 5 July 2002 during the summertime when significant wave flights are not expected. Extremely detailed, state-of-the-art computer simulations by Ray McAnelly and Bill Cotton reproduced most features of the wave. Using the simulations, we showed the flight could have gone to about 8,500 m MSL (almost as high as the summit of Mt. Everest) had Pattist been prepared and had IFR clearance. This extraordinary mountain wave event appears to have been enhanced by convective activity within the boundary layer above the Catskill Mountains as explained by Richard Worthington. The success of the computer simulations in reproducing the atmospheric conditions for this remarkable flight indicates the computer model can be used to forecast wave conditions for other soaring flights.
Below are the results from the computer model that reproduce the location of Pattists' highest climb (X) and the region where he could have climbed higher (Y):

C. Lindemann, Germany: Thermal infrared Measurements- useful for glider pilots

Where are thermals to be find an when do the finish ? The temperature of the surface (soil) is important for the development of thermals. The temperature can be detected by thermal infrared measurements(TIR) following the Stefan-Boltzman-law.
1. Coniferes forests (especially clearings) have good properties for thermal development but are relatively cold by TIR measurements. So the TIR values possibly detects the cold forest soil, while the thermals develop from the forest tops.
2. Brown (with small vegetation) an yellow sandy soil have very different temperature and thermal convection proportion. The brown surface (with vegetation) produces better thermals than sandy soil which is an a good agreement with the TIR. The reason is obviously the different albedo. TIR-measurements can be used for seasonal and actual cross country planning for soil with low vegetation. Forets must be dealt separately.

Z. Aslan, Turkey: Modelling and classification of mountain waves

Simulation and analysis of mountin waves in the troposphere are presented in this paper. The shallow water theory was applied to investigate the fluid flows over an isolated hill. This model gives a crude representation of atmospheric flow. Low level atmospheric gravity waves (inertial waves) are also analysed by considering radiosonde observations in Isparta (Turkey). Vertical variation of air temperature, relative humidity, horizontal wind speed components and patterns that are associated with mountain wave observations werde discussed.

M. Dinges (presented by J. West): The total energy variometer in the flow field of thermals

According to its physical working principle the TE variometer indicates additional signals which are caused by inflow at lower and intermediate altitudes and outflow in the upper part of a thermal. If there are inflow conditions the known procedures to displace a circle towards the centre of the thermal are supported by the TE reading. However if there are outflow conditions the maximum and the minimum of the vertical movement of air is not correctly indicated. In this case it is recommended to initiate a displacement of the circle upon a strong and continuous increase of the TE reading. If soaring conditions are good circling at altitudes of the outflow should be avoided.

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