Characteristics of the derived energy dissipation rate using the 1 Hz commercial aircraft quick access recorder (QAR) data

Abstract. The cube root of the energy dissipation rate (EDR), as a standard reporting metric atmospheric turbulence, is estimated using 1 Hz quick access recorder (QAR) data from Korean-based national air carriers with two different types aircraft (Boeing 737 (B737) and Boeing 777 (B777)), archived for 12 months January to December 2012. EDRs are three wind components (zonal, meridional, derived vertical wind) equivalent gust (DEVG) post-flight by applying all possible EDR methods. Wind used calculate EDRs, utilizing second-order structure function, power spectral density, von Kármán spectrum maximum-likelihood method. In addition, DEVG-based calculated lognormal mapping technique predefined parabolic relationship between observed DEVG. When reliability lower-rate (1 Hz) estimate examined higher-rate (20 obtained tall tower observatory, it found that can be underestimated (2.19 %–12.56 %) or overestimated (9.32 %–10.91 %). this study, also structure-function-based shows lower uncertainty %–8.14 than spectrum-based when datasets used. estimates QAR in strong turbulence cases relevant clear-air (CAT), mountain wave (MWT), convectively induced (CIT). show characteristics depending on potential sources at cruising altitudes, indicating good agreement selected respect intensity incident time. Zonal wind-based stronger CAT case affected synoptic-scale forcing such upper-level jet/frontal system. CIT case, stronger, which related gravity waves outside cloud boundary. MWT has peak based both zonal winds, propagation their subsequent breaking. It occurred have longer variations before after incident, while triggered mesoscale convective cell an isolated EDR. Current results suggest additional source estimations contributing expand more information altitudes world these helpful provide better climatology aviation situational awareness aircraft.