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Airport Weather |
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| (1) What are the weather factors that cause flight delays? |
| (1) What are the weather factors that cause flight delays? |
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From the viewpoints of passengers, bad weather means there is strong wind, heavy rain or fog at the airport which might cause airplanes unable to takeoff and land and the flights delayed. In fact, this kind of concept is not precise enough and may cause misunderstanding, especially when some flights could depart while others aren't allowed to leave. In reality, there are lots of flight delayed cases caused by the weather factors. For instance, it could either be the weather of the origin not suitable for takeoff, or the weather on the route unfavorable for flight over; as well the weather of the destination is not satisfactory for landing. The weather factors related to these conditions include low visibility, low cloud ceiling, windshear, clear air turbulence, icing, heavy precipitation, gale, thunderstorms and typhoons, etc. |
| (2) Why are flights delayed although the weather seems fine with good visibility? |
| (2) Why are flights delayed although the weather seems fine with good visibility? |
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Passengers always couldn't understand why their flights are delayed under great weather. In fact, the good weather of the airport doesn't mean airplanes could takeoff or land, since there are still some other reasons that may cause flight delays. For example, while the airplane reaches a certain flight level, the pilot has to see the runway and the surface conditions clearly to ensure the flight safety. Therefore, if the pilot couldn't see the runway clearly, the plane can't be landed. Such condition occurs while there is low cloud ceiling or thunderstorm covering the takeoff and landing flight path. If there is thunderstorm on the flight route, pilots would fly across or fly over the thunderstorm area which cause the flight time increased and the flight delayed. Moreover, airports in or near mountainous terrain, such as Lanyu Airport, always have landing difficulties and cause go-arounds or returns due to windshear and turbulence which delay the flights. |
| (3) Why are the flights to the same destination with some able to take off but others unable to leave due to the weather factors? |
| (3) Why are the flights to the same destination with some able to take off but others unable to leave due to the weather factors? |
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There are many reasons that cause such condition occurred. First of all, the airworthiness standards are different for different types of aircrafts. Even with the same aircraft type, the safety standard audited by the airlines might be different due to different pilot licenses. Besides, the pilot would make different decisions after diagnosing factors including aircraft status, airport condition and weather. All these reasons may cause the flights to the same destination with different take off conditions. |
| (4) Why are some flights informed unable to land and have to divert or return due to bad weather while some flights are able to land? |
| (4) Why are some flights informed unable to land and have to divert or return due to bad weather while some flights are able to land? |
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Aeronautical meteorological stations issue latest weather reports and 2-hours weather forecasts by modern observation facilities for aviation operation. Since weather keeps changing, weather forecasts are therefore quite limited and hard to be 100% accurate. The weather might deteriorate and result in the plane unable to land. For the safety reason, if the aircrafts didn't carry enough fuel for holding, the planes have to divert or return. Sometimes the weather changes fast, it might happen that the airplane can't land due to bad weather while the earlier and latter 5 minutes' eligible for landing. When the weather is around the edge of airworthiness, pilots are responsible for flight safety and landing or not. As a result, pilot's decisions about landing, diverting or returning are all eligible in such conditions. |
| (5) Is there any way to get the airport weather information? |
| (5) Is there any way to get the airport weather information? |
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The weather observation and broadcasting are taken charge of by different weather stations in the airports. In general, each weather station issues latest weather report every 30 minutes (every 1 hour for Nangan, Beigan, Lanyu, Lyudao and Hengchun airports). When the weather is unstable, the weather stations also issue special weather report irregularly. Passengers could get the latest airport weather information through the airport bulletin boards, airline counters or the Aeronautical Meteorological Service Page (http: //aoaws.caa.gov.tw). |
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