Clear Air Turbulence (CAT)

Chapter II



• Definition of clear air turbulence
• Clear air turbulence as an aviation hazard
• Types and severity of clear air turbulence
• The significance of jet streams for clear air turbulence

Clear air turbulence as an aviation hazard

 

Besides icing and poor visibility, turbulence is one of the most common cause of weather-related aircraft accidents

The risk for CAT is high

• during the cruise phase of flight in high altitudes, in the vicinity of a jet stream
• over high mountains if the wind speed is high
• above and near cumulonimbus clouds

Examples can be found in chapter III.