Amdar coverage & Targeting for Future Airline Recruitment In amdar data sparse regions
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- The Relative Value of Enroute Data vs Vertical Profile Data
- Vertical profiles
AMDAR Geographic CoverageComparison of Figures 7, 8 and 9 show the Aircraft Observations at altitudes <300 hPa, 301 to 700 hPa and 701 hPa to the surface, respectively. These figures show that the majority of the coverage occurs during cruise flight, at altitudes <300 hPa. (Note that 700 hPa corresponds to a pressure altitude of 9,878.4 ft or 3,010.4 m, and 300 hPa corresponds to 30,052.7 ft or 9160.1 m.) The uneven distribution of the coverage is shown clearly in the origin and destination of flights, as indicated by the observations received below 701 hPa. This is shown in Figures 9 and 10, indicating the average amount of data assimilated over a 24 hour period for altitudes between 701 hPa and the surface. These figures show that there is comparatively little vertical profile data contributed to the AMDAR system outside of Europe, North America (specifically the US), Japan and Australia. Additionally, the coverage within Europe, North America, Japan and Australia is not uniform. The Relative Value of Enroute Data vs Vertical Profile DataIt is generally thought that enroute data provides the best information for longer term forecast products as it provides needed information on upper winds and the location and strength of the jetstreams. Vertical profile data is thought to provide the best information for shorter term forecasts such as aviation (terminal area) or public forecasts. This data may also be useful in forecasting convective activity or wind shear phenomena. Clearly, a mix of both would be ideal, as would more complete global coverage. 
Figure 7: Aircraft observations at altitudes <300 hPa. Source: CMC 
Figure 8: Aircraft observations between 300 and 700 hPa. Source: CMC 
Figure 9: Aircraft observations between 701 hPa and the surface. Source: CMC |
