Presented Oct 9, 2008-Orlando, Florida Thanks to NBAA HEMS Tool Friends and Partners in Aviation Weather ‘08 Eric C. Lugger (Leader)Paul Herzegh, PhD Safety ManagerLead Scientist, NC&VA Air Methods Corp.NCAR (303) J. Heffernan Dir. of Safety Helicopter Assoc. Int'l (703) x 133

Presented Oct 9, 2008 Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) Tool  Funded by the FAA  Developed by NCAR-RAL and released Nov 2006  Maintained by NCAR on Experimental ADDS  Restricted use to HEMS Pilots and supporting Operational Control Centers  May only be consulted for a “no go” decision  Movement toward an Operational Product is static  Keys to progress are funding for the Forecast NC&VA research and funding for development of the next version of the HEMS Tool

Presented Oct 9, 2008

Operational Product  Moving forward in HEMS Tool development –Funding estimates = initial $250K –Probable full Operational Functionality=$500K total (plus or minus)  Merge the HEMS Tool into the ADDS Flight Path Tool (it is full operational status)  More surface observations improve the gridded data reliability (State owned AWOS)

Ceiling and Visibility In-Flight Icing Paul Herzegh, NCAR Marcia Politovich, NCAR Photo Credit: AOPA Air Safety Foundation.

Recent & Imminent Near-Term Wins FIP Severity - Due for D4 Assessment mid-FY09. Flight Path Tool V2 - Exp. ADDS FY08. - Features = V1 + HEMS Tool.

Recent & Imminent Near-Term Wins FIP Severity - Due for D4 Assessment mid-FY09. Flight Path Tool V2 - Exp. ADDS FY08. - Features = V1 + HEMS Tool. C&V Diagnosis - Due for D4 review late FY09.

User/Industry Feedback - 1 Improve & expand C&V & Icing data suites…. -Add 0-3 hr C&V forecast. (A focused capability for HEMS & GA short-hop flights.) -Improve in-flight icing resolution from 20 to ~5 km. -FIP icing grids for Alaska with human-over-the-loop.

User/Industry Feedback - 1 Improve & expand C&V & Icing data suites…. -Add 0-3 hr C&V forecast. (A focused capability for HEMS & GA short-hop flights.) -Improve in-flight icing resolution from 20 to ~5 km. -FIP icing grids for Alaska with human-over-the-loop. Is there a path to timely release of a 0-3 hr C&V forecast? Need to explore concept feasibility -its role toward operational needs (with users), -its programmatic feasibility (with FAA), -its technical feasibility (with product developers).

User/Industry Feedback - 2 Improve access to data visualization tools…. -Agile Java display of all parameters (icing, C&V, winds, radar, convection, satellite, AIRMETS, SIGMETS, etc.) -Zoomable, selectable overlays, AGL/MSL vertical section, GIS-enabled.

User/Industry Feedback - 2 Improve access to data visualization tools…. -Agile Java display of all parameters (icing, C&V, winds, radar, convection, satellite, AIRMETS, SIGMETS, etc.) -Zoomable, selectable overlays, AGL/MSL vertical section, GIS-enabled. Flight Path Tool V2 with Vertical Section Capability -on Experimental ADDS now -planned successor to Flt Path V1 & HEMS Tool -some feature additions not yet in place -operational release procedure under discussion in FAA

User Feedback Wrap-Up - User-Provider Partnership Opportunities - Viability of an accelerated 0-3 hr C&V Forecast? Flight Path Tool V2 - Joint discussion among users, FAA & developers useful to examine issues. - User feedback can guide final feature priorities. - Approval/release process … a parallel discussion within the FAA?

Presented Oct 9, 2008 Adam

CWSU Near-term Improvement Program Johnston

Objective Low-cost improvements at CWSUs which will noticeably improve quality of support provided to FAA ARTCCs Complete within 12 months

Purpose Improve FAA satisfaction with services Address GAO recommendation from February 2008 Report –Improve consistency of products and services –Develop and implement Quality Assurance program including Metrics Site evaluations

Key Focus Areas Improve consistency of products and services Improve customer service Enhance situational awareness Implement quality assurance measures

Improve Consistency of Products and Services TAF Improvement Program –WFOs and CWSU collaborate prior to scheduled TAF issuances for 35 OEP airport –WFO and CWSU provide a single forecast to FAA –TAF forecasts reflect knowledge of weather impacts –More timely amendments CWSU Web Presence –Each CWSU provides an interactive website –Easy access to TAF Tactical Decision Aids Crosswind Tactical Decision Aids Aviation Products in NWS Operational System –Aviation products (e.g. CCFP, CIP, SIGMETs, CWAs) available to all NWS meteorologists –Aviation-related map backgrounds available to all NWS meteorologists

Improve Customer Service CWSU Web Presence –Each CWSU provides an interactive website –Easy access to TAF Tactical Decision Aids Crosswind Tactical Decision Aids NWS Meteorologist Training –Every WFO meteorologist trained on impact of weather on air traffic –Every CWSU meteorologist trained on conducting presentations and customer service Improved Telephone Availability –Cordless phones provided to CWSU meteorologists to remain in contact when away from operational area

Enhance Situational Awareness Web Traffic Situational Display –CWSU meteorologists access vital aircraft situational display information –Includes weather as well as sector loading information Enhanced TAF monitoring tools –Aviation Forecast Preparation System (AvnFPS) added to CWSUs –CWSU meteorologists will more easily monitor TAFs –Same tool used by NWS meteorologist issuing the TAF

Implement Quality Assurance Measures CWSU Site Review –Addresses GAO February 2008 recommendation to “… perform annual evaluations of aviation weather services provided at en route centers and provide feedback to the Center Weather Service Units.” –Annual review of each CWSU First review scheduled for November reviews completed by the end of September 2009 –Observation and interviews integral part of review –FAA participation critical to success –Strengths and weaknesses noted Sub-standard elements addressed WFO and CWSU MICs responsible for developing and executing improvement plan in six months following evaluation

CWSU Improvement Program Status October 1, 2008

Summary The NWS will work to provide improved aviation weather services by –Improving consistency of our products and services –Improving our customer service –Enhancing our meteorologists’ situational awareness –Implementing quality assurance measures