Interpretação do radar meteorológico e a tomada de decisão: uma discussão acerca do conhecimento adquirido sobre meteorologia nos cursos de formação de piloto comercial no Brasil

Abstract

The aircraft weather radar is an operational safety equipment, considering its use as a tool in decision making in adverse weather conditions’ situations. Based on this premise, the study aimed to verify if there are gaps in both theoretical and practical teaching about aeronautical meteorology and weather radar in the context of the commercial pilot courses in Brazil. The methodology adopted has a qualitative-quantitative approach and a basic nature, using bibliographic and documental procedures, as well as field research, accomplished through a questionnaire application to 105 commercial pilots. Among the results, it was found that the majority of the surveyed professionals (79%) did not go through training with weather radar during the training course, and that they have learned to use it during their professional experience. The data also pointed out that this deficiency in training interfered with the ability of the pilot (already licensed) to judge weather conditions based on the radar, feeling insecure to make decisions. Given this reality, it is concluded that there are gaps, especially in the theoretical module, regarding the teaching of weather radar operation, and that regulatory agency (ANAC) standard about the theme does not even mention this content at this stage of instruction. In the practical instruction, the standard only suggests the exercise focused on radar usage. To overcome this deficiency, it is suggested to ANAC and training schools to incorporate radar detailing, operation and practice contents in the theoretical and practical curriculums.