SAE Golden Anniversary Aeronautic Meeting: Summaries of the Papers presented to the Meeting Held in New York, April 18–21, 1955

The characteristics and physical structure of the jet stream are described. The relationship of the jet stream to the general circulation in the atmosphere is illustrated by considering, first, the low level wind flow over the northern hemisphere and then the high level flow pattern (over 10,000 ft.). The seasonal change in position of jet streams and typical thermal and wind velocity cross‐sections are discussed. High altitude clear air turbulence is found to be associated with the periphery of the jet stream. The utilization of the jet‐stream as a wind‐aid in civil airline operations is discussed with reference to Pan‐American flights across the Atlantic and the Pacific.