Meteorology is a critical link in the aviation safety chain. Pilots must be aware of the weather forecast along their proposed route to be able to avoid any conditions that can adversely affect safety.
Even more importantly, pilots must have real-time weather data for airports and their environs, such as wind speed, wind direction, atmospheric pressure, temperature, humidity and cloud activity prior to landing or takeoff.
During the first powered flight by the Wright Brothers on December 17, 1903, Wilbur held a fluttering flag on a pole before Orville took off, to determine the approximate direction and speed of the wind.
During the Chicago Aviation Conference in November 1944, it was agreed that all ICAO member countries would maintain a meteorological service in order to provide aircraft operators and airports with information on the atmospheric conditions necessary for safe flights.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is a UN agency that technically assists ICAO in the development of specific meteorological standards and procedures for aviation.
Today, aviation meteorology contributes significantly to the global safety, economy and efficiency of air transport. Before the grant of their licences, all pilots, dispatchers and air traffic controllers must undergo mandatory training in aviation meteorology.
In accordance with the meteorological standards established by the WMO and ICAO, the TT Meteorological Services (TTMS) division of the Ministry of Public Utilities must provide real-time meteorological data to the TT Civil Aviation Authority (TTCAA), as an air navigation services provider (ANSP) with the responsibility for providing air-navigation services, including meteorological services, in the Piarco flight information region (FIR), which is a large oceanic area - approximately 750,000 square miles.
The meteorological services in TT evolved from the post-World War II years, when the air ministry of the British government established a forecasting office in 1946. In 1951, it became part of the British Caribbean meteorological services, with control residing with the TT government. In the period 1958-1962, during the West Indian Federation, it formed part of the West Indies meteorological services.
In 1963, after the dissolution of the federation, it became the TT meteorological services. The current regional English-speaking umbrella meteorological services grouping carries the name Caribbean Meteorological Organization (CMO), with headquarters in TT.
Like other operational areas of aviation, meteorology resides in a rapidly changing technological environment. Therefore, to provide accurate and real-time meteorological data on a consistent basis, the TTMS requires adequate resources such as highly trained personnel, a modern facility and state-of-the-art equipment such as Doppler radars with an integrated windshear detection system, and satellite links for voice and data communication.
On August 2, 1985, 126 passengers died and 25 others were injured when a Lockheed L-1011 Tr
