Every pilot must get beyond the generalizations and simple rules of thumb they were taught in their primary training. When the weather is even remotely challenging, the need to work hard to put together an objective analysis of the weather using a method that works every time is...

Icing is a complex topic and demands a challenging dialog. "There are so many factors that play a role in what makes or breaks an icing situation," says icing expert Ben Bernstein. He further emphasized, “I am not totally fond of rules of thumb with respect to icing. There are some that are descent, but there are so many exceptions to every rule of thumb that they can be dangerous.” If you are flying IFR during the winter or the summer, understanding the factors of structural icing is critical. Ice Is NOT Nice Part 1 provides a protracted icing discussion and presents the analysis tools and techniques used to minimize your exposure to structural icing...

Whether you are a novice pilot or seasoned professional, Ice Is NOT Nice Part 2 takes icing analysis to the next level. Part 1 provided an in-depth discussion surrounding the factors of structural icing to promote situational awareness. Now it's time to apply this training to a real flight environment using a scenario-based approach. Over a dozen cases were surveyed for Ice Is NOT Nice Part 2. Three scenarios were chosen that represented very typical icing environments in three different parts of the U.S. The three modules are focused on post-cold frontal icing, the most common form of icing that a pilot will typically face during the icing season...

Thermodynamic diagrams such as the Skew-T log (p) are one of the best kept secrets in aviation. It represents the absolute best power tool in the pilot's aviation weather toolbox. Specifically, the Skew-T log (p) diagram will often highlight adverse weather better than any other single chart or diagram available. Icing potential, cloud bases, cloud tops, cloud layers, turbulence, non-convective low level wind shear, haze, instability, thunderstorm potential, precipitation type, cloud type, fog and visibility are just some of the weather elements that can be inferred by this diagram...

Learning to read a terminal aerodrome forecast (TAF) requires more than just deciphering an unfamiliar code. Pilots need to have an appreciation for its inherent limitations that are largely imposed by NWS directives and local forecast rules. Meteorologists consider terminal forecasts to be...

Many convective forecasts used by pilots are issued by multiple organizations within the National Weather Service (NWS). This includes the Aviation Weather Center, Storm Prediction Center, Hydrometeorological Prediction Center and the local Weather Forecast Offices. While forecasters can and do communicate with each other, there’s no specific requirement...