FAA Aviation Weather Research Program: Overview and Recent Accomplishments

The FAA’s Aviation Weather Research Program (AWRP) performs applied research to enhance aviation safety and operational efficiency in adverse weather conditions. Weather is a primary cause of delays in the National Airspace System, levying high costs on airlines and the travelling public. In addition, flight into hazardous weather poses a significant safety risk for both manned and unmanned flight. Forecast improvements and weather mitigation techniques developed by AWRP directly contribute to improved safety and the reduction of air carrier delays and avoidable delay costs.

AWRP leverages advances in meteorological science to enhance observation methods, improve weather prediction models, and produce increasingly accurate forecasts of convection, turbulence, icing, and low ceiling & visibility (C&V) conditions. In addition, AWRP develops capabilities to facilitate the timely dissemination and clear presentation of the information to non-meteorologically trained users to support aviation decision making by traffic flow managers, controllers, dispatchers, pilots, and other operational personnel.

This presentation will provide a brief background and overview of on the FAA’s Aviation Weather Research Program and associated projects. Recent accomplishments will be highlighted and discussed.