AWH 3-3

Chapter 3, Overview of Aviation Weather Information 3-3 • The use of new products to meet regulatory requirements, and • The use of weather services and products provided by entities other than the FAA, the NWS, or their contractors. 3.3 Obtaining Weather Information 3.3.1 Weather Briefings Prior to every flight, pilots should gather all information vital to the nature of the flight. This includes a weather briefing obtained by the pilot using online weather resources, a dispatcher, or Flight Service. Historically, Flight Service has been the primary source for obtaining preflight briefings. Today, increasing numbers of pilots are using online weather resources to obtain weather information through government or commercial providers. Pilots may receive a regulatory compliant briefing without contacting Flight Service. Pilots who prefer to contact Flight Service are encouraged to conduct a self-briefing prior to calling. Conducting a self-briefing before contacting Flight Service provides familiarity of weather conditions applicable to the route of flight and promotes a better understanding of weather information. To obtain an appropriate weather briefing, pilots need to know which of the three types of briefings is needed for the flight—standard, abbreviated, or outlook. Other necessary information includes whether the flight will be conducted under VFR or IFR, aircraft identification and type, departure point, and the estimated time of departure, desired flight altitude, route of flight, destination, and estimated time en route. If the briefing updates previously received information, the time of the last briefing is also important. The information is entered into a flight plan form. When using the route brief feature in the Flight Service Pilot Web Portal (see Appendix G) or speaking to an FSS specialist, the type of weather briefing is recorded. If necessary, the information can be referenced later to file or amend a flight plan. It can also be used when an aircraft is overdue or is reported missing. All briefings provided by Flight Service (online or voice) are time-stamped and archived for 45 days. Pilots can make a final weather check immediately before departure using online weather apps, when possible. 3.3.1.1 Standard Briefing A standard briefing provides a complete weather picture and is the most detailed of all briefings. It includes conditions and significant weather information that may influence the pilot in planning, altering, or cancelling a proposed route or flight. A standard briefing provides the following information (if applicable to the route of flight) in sequential order. However, the adverse conditions, VNR, and synopsis elements may be combined and presented in any order when it helps to better describe the conditions: • Adverse Conditions. This includes significant weather and/or aeronautical information about adverse conditions that may influence a decision to cancel or alter the route of flight (e.g., hazardous weather conditions, airport closures, or air traffic delays). Pilots should also be alert for any reported or forecast icing if the aircraft is not certified for operating in icing conditions. Flying into areas of icing or weather below minimums could have disastrous results. • VFR Flight Not Recommended (VNR). When VFR flight is proposed and sky conditions or visibilities are present or forecast, surface or aloft, that, in the briefer’s judgment, would make flight under VFR doubtful, the briefer will describe the conditions, describe the affected locations, and use the phrase “VFR flight not recommended.” This recommendation is advisory in nature. The final decision as to whether the flight can be conducted safely rests solely with the pilot. Upon receiving a “VFR flight not recommended” statement, the non-IFR rated pilot will need to make a “go or no go” decision. This decision should be based on weighing the current and forecast weather