Attention:
- Research 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
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
- Think you've got a solid understanding of weather and atmosphere? Don't miss the weather and atmosphere quiz below and the topic summary
Overview:
Topic:
Time:
Introduction:
0:05
Weather Information:
0:10
Training:
0:05
Review (quiz):
0:05
Case Studies:
0:05
Total Ground Time:
0:30
Required Materials:
- Student Jacket, Paper & Pen or Marker & Whiteboard
Instructor Actions:
- Review Airman Certification Standards
- Review Sources of Weather Data
Student Actions:
- Complete the assigned readings (see content above).
- Complete or review AOPA's Online Learning Course - IFR Insights: Cockpit Weather
- 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 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, FAA-H-8083-28 .
Instrument Rating - Weather Information Knowledge:
The applicant must demonstrate understanding of:.-
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.K3i:
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.
Instrument Rating - Weather Information Risk Management:
The applicant is able to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with:.-
IR.I.B.R1:
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.R2:
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.
-
Instrument Rating - Weather Information Skills:
The applicant exhibits the skills to:.-
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.R3:
Correlate weather information to make a competent go/no-go decision. -
IR.I.B.R4:
Determine whether an alternate airport is required, and, if required, whether the selected alternate airport meets regulatory requirements.
Re-Motivation:
Closure:
- Advise students that this lesson will be used as a starting point for the next lesson
- Assign study materials for the next lesson
Conclusion:
- Hard copies of the ACS and Oral Exam Guides are available on Amazon.
- Digital copies of the ACS are available on the FAA's website.
- The FAA provides test-taking guidance and test guides on its website.
- To learn more about earning the practical test, visit the checkride page.