pressure-pattern flying

pressure-pattern flying

The difference in pressure and radio altimeter indicates high-pressure area ahead. Aircraft alters course to the left and utilizes tail wind.A technique of long-range navigation followed until the early 1960s. In this technique, isobar patterns provided the basis for flight planning to make maximum use of tailwinds. The pilot used the pressure and radio altimeter for this purpose to calculate drift, locate high-and low-pressure areas, and select a course along which there would be favorable winds. By comparing the two altimeters, the pilot could confirm that the aircraft was gaining height while maintaining a constant indicated altitude and know that he or she was flying toward an area of high pressure. The pilot could accordingly alter the course to the left and fly along the isobars, taking advantage of the tailwinds.