Pilots' vision on weather

Current regulatory status

The core regulations governing the provision of meteorological information are contained in ICAO Annex 3. The first excerpt will show the different forecast types that World Area Forecast Centres (WAFC) produce. This data is usually provided in digital format. It should be noted that Amendment 76 came into force in November 2013. One of the main changes is that the WAFCs will now regularly issue grid-formatted forecasts of Cumulonimbus Clouds, Icing and Turbulence. By removing the trialstatus of these products, they will become operational. These gridded forecasts are digital products only. They have to be transformed into visual images so that the human users can interpret them. This visualisation process has not yet been defined or standardised. The second quote of Annex 3 shows that the provisions of information relay to flight crews and operators.

Pilots' vision on weather

Published on Apr 9, 2014

European Cockpit Association ECA

About

There is a paradox. Few factors affect air operations as much as weather. But the meteorological information available to pilots before and during their flight has not dramatically changed over the last two decades. And this despite the advent of the information society and the needs f the upcoming Single European sky.. The relay of adequate, in-depth weather information is essential to maintain a high level of safety and to avoid flight disruptions by weather-related occurrences. Availability and dissemination of meteorological information is also crucial for the Single European Sky to become a reality and to deliver the expected efficiency gains. In fact, the future European air traffic management system, based on trajectory and time management, will require a much higher level of predictability and accuracy. But this new way of operating will remain wishful thinking without consistent, almost real time updated meteorology data on the flight deck. With the aim to raise awareness

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