ANC Academy Blog

Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAFs) are crucial for pilots and aviation enthusiasts to understand for effective flight planning. This beginner's guide focuses on how to interpret TAFs issued by airports within the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) countries, complete with an illustrative example. What is a TAF? An overview of Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAFs) and their importance in providing detailed weather forecasts for pilots. Decoding a TAF: Station Identifier: A four-letter ICAO code representing the airport or weather station. Forecast Time Period: The validity period of the forecast, typically 24 or 30 hours, given in UTC. Wind: Expected wind direction and speed, along with possible gusts. Visibility: Forecasted visibility in meters or kilometers. Weather Phenomena: Predicted weather conditions like rain, fog, or thunderstorms. Cloud Coverage: Forecasted cloud types and levels. Change Groups : Information on expected changes in weather conditions during the

For aspiring pilots and aviation enthusiasts, understanding METAR (Meteorological Aerodrome Report) is a fundamental skill. In this article, we'll guide you through the process of reading and interpreting METARs from airports within the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) countries, complete with an example to solidify your understanding. 1. What is a METAR? A brief introduction to METARs and their role in providing timely weather information crucial for flight planning and safety. 2. Breaking Down a METAR: Station Identifier: Typically a four-letter code indicating the location of the weather station. EASA airports follow ICAO airport codes. Date and Time of Report: Given in UTC, showing the date and time the METAR was issued. Wind: Stated in degrees and knots, indicating wind direction and speed. Visibility: Measured in meters or kilometers. Weather Phenomena: Symbols and codes describing current weather conditions (rain, fog, etc.). Cloud Coverage: Details on cloud

In the fascinating realm of aviation, grasping the nuances of flight dynamics is essential for every pilot. A pivotal concept in this arena is stall speed. Although it's a known fact that an aircraft's stall is primarily influenced by the angle of attack, understanding stall speed is equally critical for pilots during various flight phases. This comprehensive guide explores the importance of stall speed in aviation, highlighting its significance alongside the angle of attack. In short, let's answer the question, why do we have a stall speed if the stall is only dependent on angle of attack? Unpacking the Angle of Attack's Role Stalls happen when the angle of attack - the angle between the wing's chord line and the incoming airflow - exceeds a certain limit. This disrupts the smooth flow of air over the wings, diminishing lift and risking control loss. While the critical angle of attack is constant for specific aircraft configurations, the airspeed at which this angl