Investigation of Techniques for Detecting Clear Air Turbulence

A review is made of the various approaches considered in trying to develop an instrument capable of detecting CAT ahead of an aircraft. Because of the widespread regions in which CAT can occur and its often limited size, an airborne instrument is felt to be necessary to provide the pilot with sufficiently accurate and timely data to permit appropriate action to be taken to minimize its effect on the aircraft. While progress has been understandably slow, the outlook is not as black as it was a few years ago and the interest and efforts of many more people plus advances in technology enhance the possibilities of finding a solution to the CAT problem.