The Atmospheric Radar Research Center and Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Oklahoma have been providing a comprehensive and challenging education in the area of radar meteorology, which emphasizes both the engineering and meteorological aspects of the field. Through the Course, Curriculum, and Laboratory Innovation (CCLI) project, laboratory modules for many of the radar courses using the Phased Array Radar and the Polarimetric Doppler radar have been developed. The modules include theoretical framework with which to understand weather radar theory and hands-on experience of operation, data analysis, and interpretation of weather radars.

In this study, the estimation of wind shear hazard index known as F-factor, for aviation safety, using airborne Doppler radar, is shown as a part of the modules. F-factor has been developed based on aerodynamic principals and understanding of wind shear phenomena. Though radial velocities observed by airborne Doppler radar and mass conservation law have been used for estimation of F-factor, the hazard estimation accuracy has not been studied before. Through the estimation of F-factor, experience of data analysis, interpretation, and practical use of airborne Doppler radar is provided. Moreover, the accuracy hazard index estimation is evaluated using simulated pulsed Doppler radar time-series waveforms, with different levels of wind turbulence, based on a high-resolution numerical weather simulator, i.e., the Advanced Regional Prediction System (ARPS) model.