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?

Rather than relying on a single source of information, weather requires the user to open a vast toolbox of products.

Each product must be understood on it’s own merits, weaknesses, and limitations and it’s relationship to other products.

Weather information requires a high level of correlation on the part of the user to put the whole picture together.

Training Requirements

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

Training Requirements

Specified in the appropriate Part of CFR 14– Airmen: 61, 63, 65– Operators: 91, 121, 135– Schools: 141, 142

Supported by Training Guidance and Evaluation Standards– Advisory Circulars– Safety Program Materials– Industry Instructional Materials– Knowledge Test Standards– Practical Test Standards

Training Guidance Government Sources

– FAA– NWS

Industry Sources– Avionics Manufacturers– Service Providers– User Groups– Training Publishers and Providers

Government Training Guidance

Aeronautical Information Manual Current Advisory Circulars (ACs)

– 00-6 Aviation Weather– 00-45 Aviation Weather Services– 60-21 Flight Training Handbook– 60-27 Instrument Flying Handbook – 61-23 Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge

Emerging ACs– 00-FIS Flight Information Services– 90-EFB Electronic Flight Bag

Evaluation Standards1. 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-8081-10A Aircraft Dispatcher Practical Test Standards

Product Evolution

As the emergence of new weather products accelerates, training may need to shift from product-centric to application-centric.

Guidance must be provided for pilots to assess the suitability, application and integration of weather products to a particular operation.

Evolution of Training Materials

Aeronautical Information Manual ACs, pamphlets, quick reference guides. Online, down-loadable, and/or CD-ROM

tutorials, including interactive trainers.

Training Uncertainties or Risks

Product development must include training capabilities (by government or industry, as appropriate).

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

The “Hazardous Misleading Information” Concept.

Airborne Weather Radar– The two indications of severe

precipitation are…

Training Example

– An indication of high reflectivity…

MODE RANGE

10

20

40

80

160TEST

WxA

MAP

Wx

GAINTILT BRTON OFF

POWER

80

40

80

Training Example

– An indication of a void in reflectivity...

MODE RANGE

10

20

40

80

160TEST

WxA

MAP

Wx

GAINTILT BRTON OFF

POWER

80

40

80

Implementation does not occur until the user is prepared to use

the new technology...

Training is the key!