Private Pilot (Airplane)
Weather Information Lesson Plan

Introduction:

  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with weather information for a flight under VFR
  • 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
  • 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

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
  • 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
  • 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:

Student Actions:

Weather Information 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 provides a PIREP 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/SIGMETs?
    • 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:

Private Pilot (Airplane) Weather Information Airman Certification Standards:

  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with weather information for a flight under VFR
  • 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
  • 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

Private Pilot (Airplane) Weather Information Knowledge:

The applicant must demonstrate understanding of:

Private Pilot (Airplane) Weather Information Risk Management:

The applicant is able to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with:

Private Pilot (Airplane) Weather Information Skills:

The applicant exhibits the skill to:

  • PA.I.C.S1:

    Use available aviation weather resources to obtain an adequate weather briefing.

  • PA.I.C.S2:

    Analyze the implications of at least three of the conditions listed in K3a through K3l, using actual weather or weather conditions provided by the evaluator.

  • PA.I.C.S3:

    Correlate weather information to make a go/no-go decision.

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: