Tailwinds Flying Club Spring (Summer) Safety Session – 2009 WEATHER VFR – MVFR - IFR

Weather Minimums Low ceilings and visibility, which can catch pilots unaware or lure pilots to fly further, are the most deadly killers. AOPA Air Safety Foundation “One thing that has unfortunately not changed as much is the role that weather plays in fatal airplane accidents. Even after a century of flight, weather is still the factor most likely to result in accidents with fatalities.” FAA - GA Pilot’s Guide to Preflight Weather Planning, Weather Self- Briefings, and Weather Decision Making Weather, to fly or not to fly? That is the question.

Weather Minimums FAR Preflight action. Each pilot in command shall, before beginning a flight, become familiar with all available information concerning that flight. FAR VFR flight plan: Information required (a)No person may begin a flight in an airplane under VFR conditions unless (considering wind and forecast weather conditions) there is enough fuel to fly to the first point of intended landing and, assuming normal cruising speed – FAR Basic VFR weather minimums. FAR Special VFR weather minimums. FAR Fuel requirements for flight in IFR conditions. FAR IFR flight plan: Information Required. Pilot Requirements

Weather Minimums FAR Powered civil aircraft with standard category U.S. airworthiness certificates: Instrument and equipment requirements. (b) Visual flight rules (day). (c) Visual flight rules (night). (d) Instrument flight rules. Plane Requirements

Weather Minimums AIM – Chapter 7 Safety of Flight Section 1 Meteorology Thunderstorms No flight path through an area of strong or very strong radar echoes separated by miles of less may be considered free of severe turbulence Thunderstorm Flying Do’s and Don’ts Section 2 Altimeter Setting Procedures Altimeter Errors + / - 75 feet Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)

Weather Minimums Weather effects you need to understand Icing Snow showers Thunderstorms Temperature inversions Fast-moving fronts producing high winds Fog Be aware of changes in the weather before and during your flight Listen to your inner voice and know your minimums Weather Effects

Weather Minimums Preflight Online – AOPA Weather ( – DTN – Meteorlogix ( – ADDS – ( her.noaa.gov) her.noaa.gov FSS ( ) FBO – Valters Aviation ( ASOS (STP – ) In flight FSS – AWOS (21D – ) ATIS – (STP – ) Enroute: Tower ATC HIWAS (MSP Gopher 117.3) Weather Sources

Weather Minimums The FAA has published its “General Aviation Pilot’s Guide to Preflight Weather Planning, Weather Self-Briefings and Weather Decision Making”. This document may be retrieved from the FAA Web site at: tinyurl.com/cocyyf. Appendix 4 of the Guide in includes a matrix for developing your own personal weather minimums. The following are forms from this document for personal VFR and IFR weather minimum development. Personal Minimums

Weather Minimums Developing Personal Minimums

Weather Minimums Weather Analysis Checklists – VFR

Weather Minimums Weather Analysis Checklists – IFR

Weather Minimums Additional Reporting Resources DTN meteorlogix AOPA Flight Planning Additional Resources – Web-enabled Services PilotGEEK - AvWx Weather -

CUSTOMS REPORTING - eAPIS New Customs Reporting Requirements A requirement to file passenger manifests and flight information online for all international flights goes into effect May 18, The penalty for noncompliance is stiff--$5,000 the first time and $10,000 subsequent instances. AOPA Air Safety Foundation’s new interactive course, Understanding eAPIS: A Pilot’s Guide to Online Customs Reporting. Understanding eAPIS: A Pilot’s Guide to Online Customs Reporting

CUSTOMS REPORTING - eAPIS New Customs Reporting Requirements

CUSTOMS REPORTING - eAPIS New Customs Reporting Requirements Flight information must be submitted through eAPIS at least 60 minutes in advance. This is because customs will be checking the manifest against terrorist watch lists as it is required by Congress. Pilots should receive approval or denial of their manifest and flight information within a few minutes of submission.be submitted through eAPIS

Thanks! Questions?