1. Airman Knowledge Weather Information and Checkride Observations
Dan Gudgel
Meteorologist / Pilot Examiner
FAA Safety Meeting
Contra Costa County Airport – Byron, CA
February 23, 2008

2. Agenda Weather Information Sources Common Weak Checkride Points
Knowledge
Flight Skills
Examination Preparation
Question / Answer Session

3. Weather Information Sources
Conceptual Knowledge
Personal Awareness
Phones
Internet

4. Concepts or “ Book Learnin’ ”
FAA AC-006 “Aviation Weather”
FAA AC-0045 “Aviation Weather Services”
Weather “Library Building”
Wallington
Blackburn
OSTIV (WMO)
AOPA References (but think ‘Soaring’!)
(Buck, Collins, Williams, Lester)

5. Awareness Media Utilization “Atmospheric Behavior”
Mind’s ‘Historical’ Files
Weather Observations
Surface-based
Airborne

6. “Formal” Briefings Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS)
“Full Circle” of Knowledge Application
Direct User Access Telephone Service (DUATS)
Aviation Digital Data Service (ADDS)

7. The Internet: Website URLs <weather
The Internet: Website URLs <weather.gov/sanfrancisco> <aviationweather.gov>
Interactive Maps
Will “light up” / Just point and click!

8. AWC Homepage

9. ADDS – Satl Imagery <aviationweather.gov> “Day” Fire – Sept 2006
<weather.gov/sfo>

10. California Weather Forecast Offices

11. weather.gov/ xxx
SanFrancisco
Monterey
SFO
Reno
RNO
Hanford
Fresno
HNX

12. Other Internet Sources
Unisys Weather
BLIPMAPs
(Dr. John ‘Jack’ Glendening)
Explore!!!

13. “Not Dan for the Checkride … He’s a weatherman!!!”
Oh, Noooooooo!!!
“Not Dan for the Checkride … He’s a weatherman!!!”

14. Common Weak Checkride Points
Knowledge
Cross-Country Planning
Airspeed Computations
Atmospheric Lift Mechanisms
Weather Codes / Charts
Airspace Familiarity (Hot Button!)
Special Emphasis Areas

15. Cross-Country Planning
Wind Correction Angles
Effective Lift/Drag Application
Academic
Practical

16. Airspeed Computations
Relationship: IAS – TAS – GS
TAS
Flight Computer Recommended
E6B Manual or Electronic
Dead Reckoning Concepts Application

17. Atmospheric Lift Mechanisms
(Please indulge ‘the Weatherman’)
Thermal
Ridge
Mountain Wave
Convergence / Shear Lines

18. Weather Codes and Charts
Decode METAR / TAF
K / LI Chart
Upper Air Depiction (RAOB)
Basic Forecast Charts / Products
Sigmets / Airmets
Area Forecasts

19. Airspace Familiarity Definitions / Apply Knowledge Weather Minimums
Operational Impacts

20. Special Emphasis Areas
Stall / Spin
Wake Turbulence
Low-level Wind Shear
Wind Gradient
Collision Avoidance
Runway Incursion Avoidance
Checklist Usage
(and Exchange of Controls)

21. Common Weak Checkride Points
Flight Skills
Landing Pattern Decision-Making
Air Work
Emergency Procedures
Miscellaneous

22. Landing Patterns Decision-Making Traffic Conflicts Wind Considerations
Penetration
Turn Locations
Wind Gradient
Runway Utilization

23. Air Work
Turning Stalls
Maneuvering Reference Points
Spoiler Technique

24. Emergency Procedures Airspeed Control Landing Considerations
Go / No-Go for Downwind Landing
Alternate Landing Sites
Runway Utilization

25. Miscellaneous Checklist Use Demonstration of Soaring(?!)
(You mean I have to demo that?!)

26. Common Weak Checkride Points
Examination Preparation
Paperwork
Endorsements in Order and Comprehensive
Application (FAA Form )
Exam Tools
Easy Access by applicant for convenience
Familiar with tools brought

27. FAA Form 8410-1 Airman with Instructor Oversight Neat and Very Legible
Front Side Not For Examiner

28. Examiner Filing Errors!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Airman with Instructor
then
Examiner to
FAA OKC

29. Error!!!
xxxx
Returned File
xxxxxxxxxxxxx

30. Questions? (cell) 559-696-9697 (Lemoore Home) 559-924-7134
(cell)
(Lemoore Home)