Attention:
- Research a mishap case study:
- Discuss how the initial conditions developed into an incident/accident/mishap
- Relate similar personal experience 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:
- Paper, Pen, Marker, Whiteboard
Instructor Actions:
Student Actions:
- Complete assigned reading (see content above)
- Ask pertinent questions
- Perform self-assessment, including fitness for flight and personal minimums, as appropriate
- Make a go/no-go decision, as appropriate
Private Pilot - 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, FAA-H-8083-3, 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
Weather Information Knowledge:
The applicant must demonstrate understanding of:-
PA.I.C.K1:
Sources of weather data (e.g., National Weather Service, Flight Service) for flight planning purposes -
PA.I.C.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:-
PA.I.C.K2a:
Airport Observations (METAR and SPECI) and Pilot Observations (PIREP) -
PA.I.C.K2b:
Surface Analysis Chart, Ceiling and Visibility Chart (CVA) -
PA.I.C.K2c:
Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAF) -
PA.I.C.K2d:
Graphical Forecasts for Aviation (GFA) -
PA.I.C.K2e:
Wind and Temperature Aloft Forecast (FB) -
PA.I.C.K2f:
Convective Outlook (AC) -
PA.I.C.K2g:
Inflight Aviation Weather Advisories including Airmen's Meteorological Information (AIRMET), Significant Meteorological Information (SIGMET), and Convective SIGMET
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-
PA.I.C.K3:
Meteorology applicable to the departure, en route, alternate, and destination under visual flight rules (VFR) in Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC), including expected climate and hazardous conditions such as:-
PA.I.C.K3a:
Atmospheric composition and stability -
PA.I.C.K3b:
Wind (e.g. crosswind, tailwind, wind shear, mountain wave, etc.) -
PA.I.C.K3c:
Temperature and heat exchange -
PA.I.C.K3d:
Moisture/precipitation -
PA.I.C.K3e:
Weather system formation, including air masses and fronts -
PA.I.C.K3f:
Clouds -
PA.I.C.K3g:
Turbulence -
PA.I.C.K3h:
Thunderstorms and microbursts -
PA.I.C.K3i:
Icing and freezing level information -
PA.I.C.K3j:
Fog/mist -
PA.I.C.K3k:
Frost -
PA.I.C.K3l:
Obstructions to visibility (e.g., smoke, haze, volcanic ash, etc.)
-
-
PA.I.C.K4:
Flight deck displays of digital weather and aeronautical information
Weather Information Risk Management:
The applicant is able to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with:-
PA.I.C.R1:
Making the go/no-go and continue/divert decisions, including:-
PA.I.C.R1a:
Circumstances that would make diversion prudent -
PA.I.C.R1b:
Personal weather minimums -
PA.I.C.R1c:
Hazardous weather conditions to include known or forecast icing or turbulence aloft
-
-
PA.I.C.R2:
Use and limitations of:-
PA.I.C.R2a:
Installed onboard weather equipment -
PA.I.C.R2b:
Aviation weather reports and forecasts -
PA.I.C.R2c:
Inflight weather resources
-
Weather Information Skills:
The applicant exhibits the skill to:-
PA.I.C.R1:
Use available aviation weather resources to obtain an adequate weather briefing -
PA.I.C.R2:
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.R3:
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