Aviation Weather: Opportunities for Implementation Training Robert A. Wright Manager, Flight Technologies and Procedures Division, AFS-400 Federal Aviation Administration

What is different about weather training? n Rather than relying on a single source of information, weather requires the user to open a vast toolbox of products. n Each product must be understood on it’s own merits, weaknesses, and limitations and it’s relationship to other products. n Weather information requires a high level of correlation on the part of the user to put the whole picture together.

Training Requirements n Regulatory Standards for – Pilots – Flight Instructors – Ground Instructors – Dispatchers – Air Traffic Controllers – Flight Engineers – Flight Navigators

Training Requirements n Specified in the appropriate Part of CFR 14 – Airmen: 61, 63, 65 – Operators: 91, 121, 135 – Schools: 141, 142 n Supported by Training Guidance and Evaluation Standards – Advisory Circulars – Safety Program Materials – Industry Instructional Materials – Knowledge Test Standards – Practical Test Standards

Training Guidance n Government Sources – FAA – NWS n Industry Sources – Avionics Manufacturers – Service Providers – User Groups – Training Publishers and Providers

Government Training Guidance n Aeronautical Information Manual n Current Advisory Circulars (ACs) – 00-6 Aviation Weather – Aviation Weather Services – Flight Training Handbook – Instrument Flying Handbook – Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge n Emerging ACs – 00-FIS Flight Information Services – 90-EFB Electronic Flight Bag

Evaluation Standards 1. Exhibits adequate knowledge of aviation weather information by obtaining, reading, and analyzing the applicable items such as— a. weather reports and forecasts. b. pilot and radar reports. c. surface analysis charts. d. radar summary charts. e. significant weather prognostics. f. winds and temperatures aloft. g. freezing level charts. h. stability charts. … FAA-S A Aircraft Dispatcher Practical Test Standards

Product Evolution n As the emergence of new weather products accelerates, training may need to shift from product-centric to application-centric. n Guidance must be provided for pilots to assess the suitability, application and integration of weather products to a particular operation.

Evolution of Training Materials n Aeronautical Information Manual n ACs, pamphlets, quick reference guides. n Online, down-loadable, and/or CD-ROM tutorials, including interactive trainers.

Training Uncertainties or Risks n Product development must include training capabilities (by government or industry, as appropriate). n For the benefits of new products to be fully realized, training must provide the ability to integrate with other weather sources to promote sound decisionmaking.

The Importance of Training - An Example n The “Hazardous Misleading Information” Concept. n Airborne Weather Radar – The two indications of severe precipitation are…

Training Example – An indication of high reflectivity… MODERANGE TEST WxA MAP Wx GAIN TILTBRT ON OFF POWER

Training Example – An indication of a void in reflectivity... MODE RANGE TEST WxA MAP Wx GAIN TILTBRT ON OFF POWER

Implementation does not occur until the user is prepared to use the new technology... Training is the key!