How Det/Route+ Works to Detect Small, Fast-Growing Cells, Avoid Turbulence & More


In this video, we reveal one of the key components of Det/Route+, monitoring lightning from space. This helps us detect small, fast-growing cells airborne radar typically cannot see. Helps avoid clear air turbulence (CAT) and more.

Airlines & aviation orgs please visit this link for a free report on Det/Route+ turbulence hazard notification to aircraft & a specialist consultation; Contact Xflash Systems

Special safety systems are now monitoring weather phenomena that can really only be monitored effectively, from space. Why?

Infrared & UV Spectroscopy: analyzing these emissions, new systems can infer the presence of clear-air turbulence (CAT), which is difficult to detect with conventional radar.

Electromagnetic Signatures: lightning generates broadband electromagnetic pulses. Changes in these signals can hint at instability & associated turbulence in storm systems.

Correlation with Convective Turbulence: lightning often occurs in cumulonimbus clouds, which are associated with severe turbulence. The spectral properties of the lightning helps identify different stages of storm development.

Light Distortion Through Turbulent Air: the way light is distorted as it passes through turbulent air can provide clues about wind shear.

Practical Applications

Aviation Hazard Detection: spectral analysis & infrared detection can enhance real-time turbulence forecasting (nowcasting).

Small-Cell & Thunderstorm Tracking: spectral analysis of lightning & atmospheric emissions improves airline route monitoring of small, fast-growing cells & storms, then aiding pilots in avoiding turbulence-prone areas.

Space obs reports are transmited every 5-minutes, Det/Route+ analyzed & (as desired by the individual airline customer) notifications triggered via ACARS/VDL2, highlighting potential dangers to aircraft whose radar can often be blind to associated turbulence hazards.

Route adjustments can also be suggested by Det/Route+ Ai systems.

Aircraft satcom is not required. Any fleet can benefit.

In-all, five components go towards generating an alert – of which lightning detection is one. On average, a medium-long haul line-pilot doing say, 90-hrs a month, would receive one or two such in-flight alerts per month regarding “Moderate or worse”, turbulence indications close to the planned route, likely to be unseen by aircraft radar.

Airlines & aviation orgs please visit this link for a free report on Det/Route+ turbulence hazard notification to aircraft & a specialist consultation; Contact Xflash Systems

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