Check out the video above and take notes on some of the more advanced codes and abbreviations used in METARs and TAFs. Below are all the codes you could ever hope to encounter. There is absolutley no need to ever memorize all of these. Just have a rough idea what they are, that they do… Continue reading METARs and TAFs Advanced
Lesson Category: Written Prep
FAs
Area Forecasts cover the area between airports that TAFs do not cover. REMEMBER these facts about FAs: Issued every 8 hours, 3 times a day Now only covers the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, Alaska, and Hawaii Old Textual FA has been replaced by the “GFA” or Graphical Forecast for Aviation For the lower 48 states,… Continue reading FAs
TAFs
Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts TAFs have similar coding to METARs. Some important facts to REMEMBER about TAFs: Cover an area with a 5nm radius from the center of the aerodrome (airport) Valid for 24 or 30 hours Issued 4 times daily (every 6 hours) Here is an example TAF in plain coded text and decoded text:… Continue reading TAFs
METARs
METARs (Meteorological Terminal Aviation Routine Report) are always coded the same way. The video above explains the layout and coding. Below are a few examples of METARs that have been decoded so you can see where the information is coming from. Leave your questions in the comments below! KTPA 221853Z 15009KT 10SM FEW043 BKN210… Continue reading METARs
Lesson 4: AOA, Stalls, and Other Scary Things
In this lesson we’ll cover some of my favorite TOPICS! Angle of Attack (AOA) Stalls Intro to Weather As you advance in your training it will be time for you to explore the “backside” of the power curve, gain a better understanding of Angle of Attack and Relative Wind, and also practice stalling the airplane… Continue reading Lesson 4: AOA, Stalls, and Other Scary Things
Lesson 3: Understanding the Wind and Turns
Turning the Plane: In this lesson we’ll cover the basic aerodynamics of what is happening when you turn the airplane, as well as the proper procedure for executing “steep turns” with your instructor in the airplane. Understanding the Wind: We’ll also cover the basics of what you need to know for making successful crosswind takeoffs… Continue reading Lesson 3: Understanding the Wind and Turns
Lesson 2: Maneuvers and the Traffic Pattern
Maneuvers: In this lesson, we’ll start to talk about how to perform some of the basic maneuvers that help form the fundamental skills of flying. We’ll also cover some of the characteristics of how all airplanes fly, including topics like LEFT TURNING TENDENCIES. Traffic Pattern: In this lesson, you’ll also complete several topics about how… Continue reading Lesson 2: Maneuvers and the Traffic Pattern