Preflight Brief: In Flight Weather Resources

Welcome to the Safety Section of the Flying Clubs Newsletter, Club Connector!    

Every month we provide resources for flying club safety officers to keep their clubs informed and safe. We include links to PowerPoint presentations (and smaller PDFs) that we use at our own meetings, so there is always a topic ready for your club’s next safety meeting. Along with the presentations, we also provide links to relevant articles, videos, and other media that you may also find useful. You can find this month’s safety article and the full archive, here: https://youcanfly.aopa.org/flying-clubs/flying-club-newsletter/safety     

So, let’s get on with this month’s safety topic!     

In Flight Weather Resources

Background:     

In this month’s FAA Topic of the Month, we’ll explore just a few of the many weather resources available to pilots, both on the ground and in the air. Over the years, the list of tools and services has expanded significantly. While we’ll focus primarily on government-provided resources, it’s important to note that a wide range of third-party options are also available today, plus some helpful facts. 

Learning points:    

1. Advisory Circular 00-45H
   This comprehensive document outlines FAA and National Weather Service (NWS) products and services. It also includes details on Flight Information Services-Broadcast (FIS-B) products.

https://www.faa.gov/documentlibrary/media/advisory_circular/ac_00-45h.pdf

1. Aviation Weather Handbook
   A must-have for every pilot’s library, this free FAA resource provides in-depth weather knowledge.
   
   https://www.faa.gov/regulationspolicies/handbooksmanuals/aviation/faa-h-8083-28a-aviation-weather-handbook
2. Advisory Circular 91-92
   This guide helps pilots comply with FAR 91.103, which requires familiarity with all available flight information before departure. It includes extensive weather briefing guidance.

https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_91-92.pdf

1. Weather Decision-Making
   Weather analysis is a continuous process throughout every flight. Pilots must assess and reassess conditions from preflight to landing.
2. The 3 P’s: Perceive, Process, Perform
   These decision-making steps, introduced during primary training, remain essential throughout every phase of flight.
3. The 8 Elements of a Standard Weather Briefing (via 1-800-WXBRIEF):
• Adverse Conditions: Weather advisories, NOTAMs, IFR conditions, thunderstorms
• Synopsis: Overview of weather systems and air masses
• Current Conditions: METARs, PIREPs
• Forecasts: Departure, en route, and destination
• Winds Aloft: Wind and temperature at cruising altitudes
• NOTAMs: Notices to Airmen
• Airspace Restrictions: Prohibited areas, SFRAs
• ATC Delays: Flow control advisories
4. In-Flight Weather Services via FSS
   Flight Service Stations provide en route weather updates. If two frequencies are listed in a data block, the FSS can transmit/receive on both UHF and VHF. A single frequency with an “R” indicates receive-only capability—transmissions will be broadcast over the VOR. Ensure your NAV audio is turned up to hear it.
5. HIWAS Discontinued
   The Hazardous In-flight Weather Advisory Service (HIWAS) ended in 2020. If you see the HIWAS symbol on your sectional chart, it’s outdated.
6. FIS-B (Flight Information Services-Broadcast)
   FIS-B is gaining popularity. It provides free weather and traffic data via ADS-B In receivers. While convenient, keep in mind that the data is slightly delayed.
7. ATIS, AWOS, and ASOS: Terminal Weather Essentials
   These automated systems are critical for understanding current weather conditions at airports and in terminal areas:

• ATIS (Automatic Terminal Information Service): A continuous broadcast of recorded non-control information at busier airports. It includes weather, active runways, NOTAMs, and other essential data. Updated hourly or when conditions change significantly.
• AWOS (Automated Weather Observing System): Provides real-time weather data such as wind speed/direction, temperature, dew point, altimeter setting, and visibility. Some AWOS stations also report cloud ceilings and precipitation.
• ASOS (Automated Surface Observing System): A more advanced system than AWOS, ASOS is the primary surface weather observing system in the U.S. It provides detailed and continuous observations, often used by the NWS and FAA for METARs.

These systems are vital for pre-flight planning and in-flight updates, especially when approaching or departing an airport. Pilots should always monitor these broadcasts to stay informed of rapidly changing conditions.

1. Airborne Weather Radar
   Unlike FIS-B, onboard radar provides real-time weather depiction, making it more accurate for immediate decision-making.
2. Storm Scopes
   Installed storm scopes are valuable tools for detecting lightning activity. Many modern units integrate storm scope functionality with FIS-B.
3. ADS-B In: Cost-Effective Weather Access
   ADS-B In is the most affordable way to receive FIS-B data directly to your tablet or EFB app, such as ForeFlight or Garmin Pilot.
4. ATC Weather Information
   While ATC can provide weather updates, their ability is limited by workload and display capabilities. Don’t rely solely on controllers for weather data.
5. Know Your Cockpit Displays
   Cockpit weather displays can be delayed and don’t tell the full story. Always consider what’s missing and make key decisions before takeoff when possible.

Check out the Safety Management System regarding general aviation safety from AOPA’s Air Safety Institute. https://www.aopa.org/training-and-safety/air-safety-institute/Scalable-Safety-Framework. The FAA is preparing to put a heightened focus on general aviation SMS this year. Currently, airline operations tend to be the focus of SMS.         

Our safety community involves pilots (yes, even student pilots), instructors, maintenance technicians, the FAA, and the Air Safety Institute from AOPA.     

The entire Flying Club team at AOPA are FAAST team members and we are happy to host a safety webinar for your club. The Wings credits that your members will get can be a huge motivator to get members to attend. Also, some insurance companies will lower rates if they are aware that your club is hosting FAAST meetings.       

Other Safety Resources:     

Here is a reminder of just some of the safety resources available to all pilots:     

FAASTeam:     

faasafety.gov     

The FAASTeam website is the portal to a vast array of courses, videos, links, and much more.  Remember that WINGS not only encompasses knowledge activities but also flight activities.  Use the search options to narrow down to say, flight activities for a basic phase of WINGS, and you’ll be able to find a syllabus and often a worksheet for various flight activities.  Use WINGS to keep you proficient and think of the flight activities as a progressive flight review—earnt over 12-months, rather than at the end of 24-months.     

Wait…you don’t do WINGS?     

That’s a big shame—you are missing out on a free pilot proficiency program that will help you enjoy your flying even more, allow you to earn a flight review every 12 months just by flying, and may provide insurance discounts.     

The FAASTeam WINGS pilot proficiency program is the best way for general aviation pilots to ensure they are competent, confident, and safe in their flight operations.   Oh, and being perpetually proficient will save you money in the long run.       

If you are interested in using the FAASTeam WINGS program for your personal flying or with your flying club, create an account on the FAASTeam website, http://www.faasafety.gov, and explore the collection of courses and flight activities.  Also, feel free to contact me (Jason Levine, WINGS Representative), and I’d be pleased to walk you through the program.  More on “WINGS for Clubs” can be found here in Flying Clubs Radio Episode 8 and the May 2020 Question of the Month.       

Other FAA Resources:     

Don’t forget to regularly revisit these FAA safety gems, as new material is frequently added:     

Pilot Minute     

57 Seconds to Safer Flying     

FAA Safety Briefing Magazine     

From the Flight Deck        

AOPA Air Safety Institute:     

https://www.aopa.org/training-and-safety/air-safety-institute     

AOPA’s Air Safety Institute (ASI), which by the way is funded by the AOPA Foundation just like the Flying Clubs Initiative, is packed with exceptional content, including exceptional videos, podcasts, accident analysis, online courses, recorded webinars and more.  Completing ASI activities may also earn WINGS credits.  Of particular interest to flying club safety officers is the updated Safety to Go section.  There, you can download a selection of topics, each coming with PowerPoint slides and speaker’s notes!