Flight Safety

Originally published in 2004

Weather Safety Strategies

• Obtain weather from all available sources prior to the flight.
• Know the tools you can use to update weather information in flight:
  VFR (visual flight rules) flight following; flight watch or flight service; pilot reports; nearby
  AWOS (automated weather observation system),
  ASOS (automated surface observation system),
  ATIS (automated terminal information system) frequencies; and on-board weather radar or lightning detection equipment with data linked weather available.
• Learn to interpret in-flight weather cues and deteriorating visibility.
• Acquire instrument skills in addition to those required for a private pilot certificate.
• File an IFR (instrument flight rules) flight plan, and don’t cancel IFR until a VFR landing is assured.

Source: AOPA Pilot