Progressive Air Inc

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Services
    • Flight Examination
    • Flight Instruction
    • Consulting
  • Links
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Services
    • Flight Examination
    • Flight Instruction
    • Consulting
  • Links
  • Contact Us

Weather knowledge on the Checkride

4/21/2012

0 Comments

 
The Private, Instrument and Commercial PTS all have a Task in it that looks something like this:

Task C: Weather Information (ASEL and ASES)

References: 14 CFR part 91; AC 00-6, AC 00-45; AC 61-84; FAA-H-8083-25; AIM.

Objective: To determine that the applicant:

1. Exhibits satisfactory knowledge of the elements related to weather information by analyzing weather reports, charts, and forecasts from various sources with emphasis on—

a. METAR, TAF, and FA.
b. surface analysis chart.
c. radar summary chart.
d. winds and temperature aloft chart.
e. significant weather prognostic charts.
f. convective outlook chart.
g. AWOS, ASOS, and ATIS reports.
h. SIGMETs and AIRMETs.
i. PIREPs.
j. windshear reports.
k. icing and freezing level information.

2. Makes a competent “go/no-go” decision based on available weather information.

So it should come as no surprise that weather will be evaluated on these checkrides.  Note the word “analyzing” in the first sentence of the Task.  To analyze means to examine methodically and in detail the constitution or structure of (something, esp. information), typically for purposes of explanation, or to Discover or reveal (something) through such examination.  In order to analyze something we need to have at least some basic knowledge of the subject.

Lately, I’ve had issues with applicants being able to read and analyze METARS and TAFs.  Not knowing what BR and DZ mean or the significance of a close temp / dew point spread, are troublesome.  Did you know you can get a rough guess on the freezing level from a METAR?  Have you ever seen a RVR report on a METAR or noted a wind shear on a TAF?  Would knowing this information show that you know how to read and analyze a METAR or TAF?  Sure it would!

The FAA want emphasis on the 12 items listed.  I don’t go into too much technical detail on the charts.  For example, I usually don’t ask how long the chart is valid for or how many times a day the chart is issued.  I will expect you to be able to identify High and Low pressure systems, Cold and Warm fronts and describe the basic types of weather associated with each.  I’m not expecting you to have a degree in meteorology but just a good general understanding of the basics.

Another troubling issue that keeps showing up is not knowing how to obtain weather information when you’re flying.  I’ll ask you for three different ways that you can obtain weather information when you’re flying.  If you have XM or ADS-B weather that’s great, but what if you need to talk to a briefer, how do you do that?  How would you contact Green Bay radio when you’re near the JVL VOR?  What does that “H” mean at the BAE VOR?  If ATC makes a statement like “Attention all aircraft AIRMENT ZULU in effect for southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois.  Contact Flight Watch or Flight Service for further information” how will you make contact for more info?  (What the heck is an AIRMET ZULU anyway?)

The Private, Instrument and Commercial PTS have basically the same Task in each one.  I’ve noticed I use similar type questions on each one of those checkrides.  As you progress through your ratings and limitations a slightly higher level of knowledge is expected at each ride.  So an Instrument applicant should show more knowledge than a private pilot and a commercial pilot should show more than either of them.  How the examiners evaluates this task is left up to him or her but they are suppose to use scenarios.  Per the PTS, examiners are required to use a scenario to evaluate weather and airspace.  There not that hard, but think before you answer.

Good Luck

0 Comments

    Archives

    November 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    February 2022
    April 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    January 2020
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    March 2018
    November 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.