Instrument Rating Weather Information Lesson Plan

Introduction

Schedule

Topic:

Time:

Attention/Motivator:

0:05

Part 1, Lesson Introduction:

0:05

Part 2, Atmospheric Conditions:

0:30

Part 3, Weather Products:

1:15

Part 4, Weather Information Guided Scenario(s):

0:25

Part 5, Lesson Conclusion:

0:05

Remotivation/Closure:

0:05

Total Ground Time:

0:00
Attention Getter:
- Research and present a mishap case study:
- Discuss how the initial conditions developed into an incident/accident/mishap
- Relate similar personal experiences of the same type of incident/accident/mishap
- Consider incorporating a case study as a guided scenario
Motivator:
- Regardless of your experience level, weather is likely to be a key factor in your decision-making process
- A pilot's ability to find and interpret weather is essential to make well-informed decisions
  - Failure to recognize deteriorating weather conditions leads to a exceptionally high mishap and associated lethality rate
- Weather service to aviation is a joint effort between federal agencies, the military weather services, and other aviation-oriented groups and individuals
- The National Weather Service operates a network of radar sites for detecting coverage, intensity, and movement of precipitation
  - FAA and DOD radar sites in the western sections of the country supplement the network
  - Local warning radar sites augment the network by operating on an as-needed basis to support warning and forecast programs

Materials

Required Materials:
- Writing instrument (pen, marker, etc.).
- Writing surface (paper, whiteboard, etc.).
- Internet connection (computer, tablet, smartphone, etc.).
- Phone (for preflight briefing).
- Personal Weather Minimums Worksheet.
- Airman Certification Standards.
- Student jacket.
Optional Materials:
- Pilot Operating Handbook, Electronic Flight Bag
- Instructor endorsement log.
Reference Materials:

Instrument Rating Weather Information Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

Before the lesson, review reference materials.
Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
- Review the lesson plan, including the attention and motivator.
- Review the airman certification standards (ACS).
Part 2, Atmospheric Conditions:
- Teach and assess meteorology applicable to departure, en route, alternate, and destination operations under IFR, including the expected climate and hazardous conditions listed below. (IR.I.B.K3)
  - Atmospheric composition and stability. (IR.I.B.K3a)
  - Wind, including crosswind, tailwind, wind shear, factors affecting wind, and mountain wave. (IR.I.B.K3b)
  - Temperature and heat exchange. (IR.I.B.K3c)
  - Moisture and precipitation. (IR.I.B.K3d)
  - Discuss weather-system formation, including air masses and fronts, and the conditions expected with each. (IR.I.B.K3e)
  - Clouds. (IR.I.B.K3f)
    - Introduce cloud base calculations.
  - Introduce turbulence. (IR.I.B.K3g)
    - Discuss types of turbulence.
  - Thunderstorms and microbursts. (IR.I.B.K3h)
  - Icing and freezing-level information. (IR.I.B.K3i)
  - Fog and mist. (IR.I.B.K3j)
  - Frost. (IR.I.B.K3k)
  - Obstructions to visibility, including smoke, haze, and volcanic ash. (IR.I.B.K3l)
Part 3, Weather Products:
- Review the types of aviation weather information—observations, analyses, and forecasts—and teach the acceptable products and resources used for IFR preflight planning and for departure, en route, and arrival decisions. (IR.I.B.K2)
- Review official sources of weather data, including the National Weather Service and Flight Service. (IR.I.B.K1)
- Retrieve three METAR or SPECI reports and PIREPs from different regions and interpret each report. (IR.I.B.K2a)
- Retrieve and interpret the appropriate Surface Analysis Chart and Ceiling and Visibility Analysis, including observation or valid times. (IR.I.B.K2b)
- Retrieve three Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts from different regions and interpret each forecast. (IR.I.B.K2c)
- Discuss how the Graphical Forecasts for Aviation (GFA) tool supports an integrated weather assessment. (IR.I.B.K2d)
- Retrieve a Wind and Temperature Aloft Forecast and interpret at least three reporting points along the route. (IR.I.B.K2e)
- Retrieve and interpret the appropriate Convective Outlook, including forecast and valid times. (IR.I.B.K2f)
- Retrieve and interpret applicable AIRMETs, SIGMETs, and Convective SIGMETs. (IR.I.B.K2g)
- Teach the capabilities, limitations, latency, age, and appropriate use of flight-deck displays of digital weather and aeronautical information. (IR.I.B.K4)
Part 4, Weather Information Guided Scenario(s):
- Lead a guided scenario that requires the learner to make and continually reevaluate go/no-go and continue/divert decisions. (IR.I.B.R1)
- Identify circumstances that would make diversion prudent, including deteriorating conditions, fuel implications, alternate availability, and reduced approach or landing margins. (IR.I.B.R1a)
- Complete and apply a personal weather minimums worksheet. (IR.I.B.R1b)
- Identify, assess, and mitigate hazardous weather, including known or forecast icing and turbulence aloft. (IR.I.B.R1c)
- Compare the use and limitations of installed onboard weather equipment, aviation weather reports and forecasts, and inflight weather resources, including coverage, update intervals, latency, resolution, and the distinction between strategic and tactical use. (IR.I.B.R2) (IR.I.B.R2a) (IR.I.B.R2b) (IR.I.B.R2c)
- Conduct a self-briefing using available aviation weather resources and assess whether it is adequate for the proposed IFR flight. (IR.I.B.S1)
  - Call Flight Service and request a briefing for an actual or practice cross-country flight.
  - Discuss the advantages, limitations, and role of each product used.
- Analyze the operational implications of at least three conditions listed in IR.I.B.K3a through IR.I.B.K3l using actual or scenario weather. (IR.I.B.S2)
- Correlate all available weather information and make a competent go/no-go decision. (IR.I.B.S3)
- Determine whether an alternate airport is required and, when required, whether the selected alternate meets regulatory weather requirements. (IR.I.B.S4)
- Review the capabilities and limitations of the weather equipment installed in the aircraft and other equipment commonly used in general aviation.
Part 5, Lesson Conclusion:
- Tie lesson back to previous lessons to reinforce past experiences (law of readiness).
- Present the remotivation, conclude, and provide guidance for follow-on lessons.
- Review student actions required ahead of the next lesson.
Update instructor endorsement records and the student's jacket, as required.

Instrument Rating Weather Information Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

In the climb on a cold day, a pilot enters the clouds and simultaneously notices the outside air temperature is 10°C.
- How can the pilot check the outside air temperature?
- If in meteorological conditions, is icing a hazard?
With the previous METAR/SPECI reports:
- What does the wind information tell us (tie to airport diagrams, takeoff performance, etc.)?
- What does the visibility tell us?
- What does the present weather tell us?
- What does the sky condition tell us?
- What does the temperature/dewpoint tell us (tie to density altitude, hazards, etc.)?
- What do the remarks tell us?
ATC (Air Traffic Control) provides a PIREP (Pilot Weather Report) to a pilot about to enter the same area
- What is the pilot required to do?
- What can the pilot decide to do?
A pilot is planning a cross-country flight, for what reasons would they want to review AIRMETs (Airmen's Meteorological Information)/SIGMETs (Significant Meteorological Information)?
- How does it affect preflight planning?
A pilot is planning a local flight, for what reasons would they want to use a surface analysis chart?
- How does it affect preflight planning?
- What are the types of airmasses and fronts depicted?
- What kind of weather would be expected in those frontal areas?
A pilot is planning a local flight, for what reasons would they want to use a convective outlook?
- How does it affect preflight planning?
With the previous TAF reports:
- What does the wind information tell us (tie to weather enroute limitations, etc.)?
- What does the visibility tell us?
- What does the present weather tell us?
- What does the sky condition tell us?
- What does the temperature/dewpoint tell us (tie to density altitude, hazards, etc.)?
- What does "FM" or "BECMG" tell us?
Provided a route of flight that passes near (3) stations:
- What are the winds doing?
- Are the temperatures above or below standard and what are the implications of either?
- What does a temperature inversion look like?
- In those instances of high wind velocities, how does one decifer the three digit wind speed?
Related scenarios:

Instrument Rating Weather Information Lesson Plan

Student Actions

Complete the assigned readings (see content above).
Complete a personal weather minimums worksheet.
Complete or review AOPA's Online Learning Course - Weather or Not Thunderstorm Challenge.
Complete or review AOPA's IFR Insights: Cockpit Weather Online Course.
Ask pertinent questions
Perform self-assessment, including fitness for flight and personal minimums, as appropriate.
Make a go/no-go decision, as appropriate

Instrument Rating Weather Information Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Instrument Rating Weather Information Airman Certification Standards

Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with obtaining, understanding, and applying weather information for a flight under IFR.
Note: If K2 is selected, the evaluator must assess the applicant's knowledge of at least three sub-elements.
Note: If K3 is selected, the evaluator must assess the applicant's knowledge of at least three sub-elements.
References: 14 CFR part 91, AC 91-92; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2 (Risk Management Handbook), FAA-H-8083-3 (Airplane Flying Handbook), FAA-H-8083-25 (Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge), FAA-H-8083-28 (Aviation Weather Handbook).

Knowledge 4 ACS Elements

IR.I.B.K1:
Sources of weather data (e.g., National Weather Service, Flight Service) for flight planning purposes.
IR.I.B.K2:
Acceptable weather products and resources required for preflight planning, current and forecast weather for departure, en route, and arrival phases of flight such as:.
- IR.I.B.K2a:
  Airport Observations (METAR and SPECI) and Pilot Observations (PIREP).
- IR.I.B.K2b:
  Surface Analysis Chart, Ceiling and Visibility Chart (CVA).
- IR.I.B.K2c:
  Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAF).
- IR.I.B.K2d:
  Graphical Forecasts for Aviation (GFA).
- IR.I.B.K2e:
  Wind and Temperature Aloft Forecast (FB).
- IR.I.B.K2f:
  Convective Outlook (AC).
- IR.I.B.K2g:
  Inflight Aviation Weather Advisories including Airmen's Meteorological Information (AIRMET), Significant Meteorological Information (SIGMET), and Convective SIGMET.
IR.I.B.K3:
Meteorology applicable to the departure, en route, alternate, and destination for flights conducted under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) to include expected climate and hazardous conditions such as:.
- IR.I.B.K3a:
  Atmospheric composition and stability.
- IR.I.B.K3b:
  Wind (e.g. crosswind, tailwind, wind shear, mountain wave, etc.).
- IR.I.B.K3c:
  Temperature and heat exchange.
- IR.I.B.K3d:
  Moisture/precipitation.
- IR.I.B.K3e:
  Weather system formation, including air masses and fronts.
- IR.I.B.K3f:
  Clouds.
- IR.I.B.K3g:
  Turbulence.
- IR.I.B.K3h:
  Thunderstorms and microbursts.
- IR.I.B.K3l:
  Icing and freezing level information.
- IR.I.B.K3j:
  Fog/mist.
- IR.I.B.K3k:
  Frost.
- IR.I.B.K3i:
  Obstructions to visibility (e.g., smoke, haze, volcanic ash, etc.).
IR.I.B.K4:
Flight deck instrument displays of digital weather and aeronautical information.

Risk Management 2 ACS Elements

IR.I.B.S1:
Making the go/no-go and continue/divert decisions, including:.
- IR.I.B.R1a:
  Circumstances that would make diversion prudent.
- IR.I.B.R1b:
  Personal weather minimums.
- IR.I.B.R1c:
  Hazardous weather conditions to include known or forecast icing or turbulence aloft.
IR.I.B.S2:
Use and limitations of:.
- IR.I.B.R2a:
  Installed onboard weather equipment.
- IR.I.B.R2b:
  Aviation weather reports and forecasts.
- IR.I.B.R2c:
  Inflight weather resources.

Skills 4 ACS Elements

IR.I.B.R1:
Use available aviation weather resources to obtain an adequate weather briefing.
IR.I.B.R2:
Analyze the implications of at least three of the conditions listed in K3a through K3l above, using actual weather or weather conditions in a scenario provided by the evaluator.
IR.I.B.S3:
Correlate weather information to make a competent go/no-go decision.
IR.I.B.S4:
Determine whether an alternate airport is required, and, if required, whether the selected alternate airport meets regulatory requirements.

Instrument Rating Weather Information Lesson Plan

Conclusion

Re-Motivation:
- Weather Information turns weather information into operational decisions that protect aircraft performance, route flexibility, and safe landing options.
- Comparing forecasts, observations, trends, aircraft limitations, and personal minimums helps pilots identify deteriorating conditions before they eliminate safer alternatives.
- Continuous weather monitoring and a willingness to delay, divert, or discontinue a flight are essential expressions of sound aeronautical decision-making.
- Further exploration of Weather Information prepares instrument pilots to interpret more complex weather systems and make increasingly confident risk-based decisions.
Closure:
- Advise students that this lesson will be used as a starting point for the next lesson
- Assign study materials for the next lesson

Instrument Rating Weather Information Lesson Plan

Introduction

Schedule

Attention Getter:

Motivator:

Materials

Required Materials:

Optional Materials:

Reference Materials:

Instructor Actions

Guided Scenario(s)

Student Actions

Airman Certification Standards

Conclusion

Re-Motivation:

Closure: