Comparison of TAMDAR GLFE Icing Reports with NASA Advanced Satellite Aviation-weather Products (ASAP) In-flight Icing Parameters

In addition to measurements of basic state variables (temperature, water vapor and winds), the Tropospheric Airborne Meteorological Data Reporting TAMDAR provides a general warning of two important aviation weather parameters - ice presence and turbulence (eddy dissipation rate). It reports these measurements directly into the Meteorological Data Communications and Reporting System (MDCRS). The NASA Advanced Satellite Aviation-weather Products project at NASA Langley Research Center produces 15-minute retrieval of cloud microphysical products for evaluating in-flight icing conditions. These parameters include cloud phase, liquid water path, effective cloud height, super-cooled large droplet (SLD) temperature, SLD diameter and a composite icing severity index. Research is underway to begin the integration of these measurements into the operational Current Icing Potential product developed by the FAA Aviation Weather Research Program currently available via the NOAA Aviation Digital Data Service (ADDS). In this study, ASAP in-flight icing parameters are compared to six months of TAMDAR in-flight icing data obtained by the 60 Mesaba Airlines SAAB 340 Regional Jets who participated in the 2005 TAMDAR Great Lakes Fleet Experiment.