Understanding Weather Information

When planning a trip in a general aviation (GA) airplane, first perceive the flight environment by collecting information about weather conditions. Sources:

• Television:  Many pilots start with The Weather Channel (TWC). Though not an FAA approved source, TWC  provides a “big picture” view along with up to 10 summaries and forecasts per day. (http://www.weather.com/maps/aviation.html).
  
  
• Internet:  Check out the National Weather Service’s Aviation Weather Center (http://aviationweather.gov/), as well as the information and resources available via the Aviation Digital Data Service (ADDS), (http://adds.aviationweather.noaa.gov).   ADDS combines information from NWS aviation observations and forecasts and makes them available along with visualization tools to help pilots with practical flight planning.

• Direct User Access Terminal System (DUATS):   Get a printed version of the FSS briefing package by obtaining a standard briefing on DUATS (www.duat.com (DTC) or www.duats.com (CSC)).  DUATS provides weather information in an FAA-approved format and records the transaction as an official weather briefing.

• Flight Service Station Briefing:  Once you have a basic mental picture of weather conditions, call  FSS.  This basic mental picture makes it much easier to absorb information from the briefer – and to know what questions you should ask. Keep in mind a simple rule-of-thumb: the more doubtful the weather, the more information you need to obtain. 

A few guidelines for getting weather data from FSS:

	DO  call  the right FSS. 1-800-WX-BRIEF goes to the FSS associated with your area code, so check the Airport/Facility Directory if outside your home area code.
	DO   request he right briefing “package” (outlook, standard, or abbreviated).
	DO  use the flight plan form to help the briefer obtain the information you need.
	DO  be honest about any limitations in pilot skill or aircraft capability.
	DO  let the briefer know if you are unfamiliar with the area’s typical weather patterns.
	DON’T  hesitate to speak up if you don’t understand something. Smart pilots ask questions to resolve ambiguities in the weather briefing.
	DON’T  end the briefing without knowing which direction (north, south, east, west) to turn to fly toward better weather, and how far you would have to fly to reach it.