Weather
Welcome We’re here to: Identify weather-related safety issues among our pilots Discuss how we, as instructors and examiners, can improve pilot training Help current and future pilots fly safely! Aviation Weather Services, Advisory Circular 00-45G, Change 1 (July 2010)
Weather and Accidents We’ll explore ways to address the most common scenarios, including: VFR into IMC Flight into storms Icing Weather-related landing accidents
Practical Test Standards Let’s look at the weather tasks in the Practical Test Standards, and discuss how we train these tasks. Private Pilot Instrument Rating Aviation Weather Services, Advisory Circular 00-45G, Change 1 (July 2010)
The PTS What should pilots know about “reading and analyzing” this weather chart? Aviation Weather Services, Advisory Circular 00-45G, Change 1 (July 2010)
What about Area Forecasts? The PTS ME NH VT NRN ME...SCT040 BKN060 TOP FL250. OCNL BKN040. SCT -SHRA/ISOL -TSRA. CB TOP FL Z BKN040. ISOL -SHRA. WND W G25KT. 03Z SKC. OTLK...VFR. VT/NRN NH/RMNDR ME MTNS...SCT-BKN040 BKN060 TOP FL250. SCT SHRA/ISOL TSRA. CB TOP FL Z BKN040. OCNL VIS 3-5SM BR. OTLK...MVFR CIG BR. SRN NH/RMNDR ME...SCT040 BKN100 TOP FL250. OCNL BKN040 IN WDLY SCT -SHRA/ISOL -TSRA BECMG AFT 19Z SCT TSRA. TS POSS SEV. CB TOP FL Z BKN020. WDLY SCT -SHRA. OTLK...MVFR CIG SHRA BR. Aviation Weather Services, Advisory Circular 00-45G, Change 1 (July 2010)
Risk Assessment Matrix
VFR into IMC The most common -- and most fatal -- type of weather accident. Of 14 such accidents in 2009, 12 were fatal * 86% fatality rate Let’s explore ways to address the pilot’s planning and decision-making for this scenario. *2010 Nall Report of accidents in 2009:
What training would prevent this? NTSB Identification: CEN11FA240 Baraboo WI, Cessna 150D Student pilot and passenger – both fatal Weather measured 10 miles from accident site: – 700 overcast ceiling – 2 ½ miles visibility – Drizzle Additional question: Are there instructor and examiner responsibilities here?
What training would prevent this? CEN11FA247 Dickens, TX Stinson fatalities Closest observation – Winds 060 at 9 knots – Visibility 5 miles – Mist – Overcast 500 feet – Temperature 39° F – Dew point 36° F
What training would prevent this? LAX00FA354 San Luis Obispo, CA on September 30, 2000 PA38 night flight One fatality, one serious injury Sheriff's Deputy... reported that weather conditions consisted of low clouds and fog with heavy drizzle... A second deputy, who is a commercial certificated pilot, estimated the overcast ceiling was at 300 feet and the visibility was near zero. According to the Federal Aviation Administration... The pilot did not receive a preflight weather briefing
Thunderstorms Is it enough to teach pilots to stay at least 20 NM from a thunderstorm? Aviation Weather Services, Advisory Circular 00-45G, Change 1 (July 2010 )
Winds Maximum cross-wind? Maximum gusts? Tailwinds? Wind shear? How do pilots develop their own minimums? Elaine Kauh, 2011
Icing The Instrument PTS lists special emphasis areas including icing condition operational hazards, anti-icing and de-icing equipment, differences, and approved use and operations. Is this enough? What about VFR pilots? Aviation Weather Services, Advisory Circular 00-45G, Change 1 (July 2010)
Density Altitude Personal Minimums How do you teach and test for conditions that can vary greatly in different regions?
ADM and Weather Hazardous attitudes How do they relate to weather-related accidents? Are you teaching and testing for safe decision- making?
Conclusion We can look at ways to use the PTS effectively Scenario-based instruction is another tool to teach weather-related safety
Thank you to Elaine Kauh for developing the weather forum.