TCU(towering cumulus) penetration from airlines perspective

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Jaques Strappe
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Re: TCU(towering cumulus) penetration from airlines perspect

Post by Jaques Strappe »

Cmon guys. TCU to 13,000 feet? That is a fair weather day and great conditions for soaring. :D

Seriously though, all joking aside, I think the question is a bit hard to answer because there are so many variables. What is the wx radar telling you? How does the development look? Is it a nice day or are thunderstorms imminent with a fast approaching cold front? I can honestly tell you that in a 777 I would not think twice about it on a normal day. In a Super Cub, I will be avoiding it no matter how nice a day it is. In a climb, you may not even see it if there is an under cast layer and no real moisture in it to reflect back to the radar.

I have to assume that because you asked about airliners or jets that the Super Cub scenario doesn't apply. But put it this way, If Air Canada were to deviate around every TCU topped at 13,000 feet, ATC would go nuts. However, if there are other indicators present, like a cold front or fast vertical development, or better yet, a pirep, then most would be looking a little closer at the available options and then like yycflyguy said, go through it anyway!

Judgement call.
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matt777
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Re: TCU(towering cumulus) penetration from airlines perspect

Post by matt777 »

Sulako wrote:
..18,000 and under just pump through otherwise you are going to throw a wrench into ATC's plan and your own profile....If you start dodging ones in the teens you'll end up all over the place for very little turbulence avoidance.
I strongly disagree with the above quotes.

If there's weather ahead, I couldn't care less what ATC's plan is for me - my plan is to not get my tail twisted, and to keep my passenger's flight experience an unremarkable one. I'll do what I have to do to avoid TCUs, and ATC can do what they have to do to keep separation between us and other aircraft. Of course I have the highest respect for ATC and the job they do, but some ATC stations don't have radar that depicts bad weather very well, so they might not understand the full extent of the weather situation. Bottom line: I'd never even consider flying through bad weather just to accommodate ATC - it's my ass in the front seat, not theirs.
+1

Why would you worry about if it's going to screw ATC up? Don't forget who's boss up there, if something goes wrong because you blasted through a TCU, it's your ass on the line - not theirs.
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mbav8r
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Re: TCU(towering cumulus) penetration from airlines perspect

Post by mbav8r »

Just the other day we were climbing out of Regina and there was a TCU topped about 15000,
not painting anything on radar. We firgured it would be a little rough so for pax comfort we elected to go around it. Called ATC with "request" They said, "stand by" We waited and then with ATC still talking to other AC we turned anyway. When they came back asking what our request was, we informed them we turned for build ups. "No problem, just let me know when you're able direct ???" You have the authority to point your aircraft, then advise as soon as able. Why would anyone just go through if you have options?
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hazatude
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Re: TCU(towering cumulus) penetration from airlines perspect

Post by hazatude »

Here's the direct vid link from the other thread:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taalRl0O9RE
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