Characteristics of Jet Streams and their influence on Air Transport

Abstract

Recent  meteorological studies emphasize that there are air currents at high attitudes within the Tropopause.These high air streams are so fast and move from west to east continuously. Because of its high speed they are called jet streams.The strongest ones are polar jet streams whose highest speed reaches 500 km / h. Aviation depends on such important factors as jet stream locations and speed and the distance between them and polar as well as subtropical jet streams and the countries in which they’re found. Aircraft flying in the direction of jet stream winds saves time and fuel . For example, a plane flies at 500 knots takes 6 hours to cross 3000 kilometers in still air while the duration can go down by 10 per cent , i.e. , it can take only 5 hours and 27 minutes if the wind speed is 500 knots.

Jet streams can cause disturbances and problems, e.g.,

if they are strong enough, they can cause a sudden 30 meters drop for the plane.They can influence surface activities and systems and consequently flying itself.It has been found that the very active parts or fronts may cause a  change in wind speed between 0.10 to  0.15 s for many hours while measured 0.12 S with thunderstorms.

Depressions get greater at Horse latitudes where both polar and tropical streams are combined .

    Monitoring the clouds of the cyrus and the tusksis is important in identifying the locations of jet streams. Studies show that climatic conditions are key reasons behind aviation accidents where their percentage reaches 40 - 60 .