Learning Weather...

[Travis152]

I know dispatchers have to worry about the weather and route of flights, but how did you learn about weather practically? I know you can read books about the clouds and fronts,etc, but practically is there any way? I want to be able to read the weather like the 121 dispatchers, even though I fly general aviation. Do you have any good sources of information?

Also, how long is the ATP Written valid for?

 

[flyjumpseat]

My initial experience with learning/understanding weather is from fighting forest fires, my former life - before the Witness Protection Program placed me here. Then when I got here it just took time to transition to aviation related weather issues.

Start with your books. Then get some experience. Not much else to say.

 

[propsarebest]

The hardest part of weather is the theory part. It is SOOOOOO boring. The FAA book on weather is OK, lots of dry reading.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0884871789/sr=1-1/qid=1147229541/ref=sr_1_1/103-5285260-8923838?%5Fencoding=UTF8

The link above is to a real good book, it is a much better read.


The ATP written is valid for 2 years.


Also, I think you should try and visit a Flight Service Station before they are all gone. What the briefers give you over the phone is less than 1% of the info available to them. You will be glad you did.

 

[SKC]

I would highly recommend Aviation Weather as well. Very useful book that gives you all the information is very easy to understand terms.

 

[Bart Simpson]

Also try http://adds.aviationweather.gov/ for aviation weather for practical pruposes, the more you use it, the better you will understand it.

Just don't make the mistake of watching the Weather Channel to learn about "Aviation Weather", they're just after ratings.

 

[notaNJApilot]

I can get you access to online materials for a University aviation weather course. PM me if interested.

 

[DX Rick]

Also try http://adds.aviationweather.gov/ for aviation weather for practical pruposes, the more you use it, the better you will understand it.

This is a good site, and if C8 still had their www.weathertap.com account, I would still be using that as well
Weathertap.com is a great site to learn from, also try looking up community college courses.

 

[CRJDispatchKid]

I am a meteorologist, myself, and I'd be happy to answer the occasional questions you have.

If you would like to learn a little more about severe weather, I suggest you look for a SkyWarn training class. Skywarn is a volunteer organization that works with local National Weather Serivce (NWS) Offices to report severe weather. The NWS generally holds classes several times a summer, and are always free. If nothing else, you could hook up with some people that have experience in weather forecasting. If you need help finding a class, let me know and I'll try to help.

 

[Gimpy]

Also try http://adds.aviationweather.gov/ for aviation weather for practical pruposes, the more you use it, the better you will understand it.

Just don't make the mistake of watching the Weather Channel to learn about "Aviation Weather", they're just after ratings.

Bart what do you know weather? It's Thunderstorm season and I'm sure you're sending aircraft through cells all the time. Instead of flight following you're eating crayons and reading comic books, giggling to yourself.

This is a good book that Bart should start with. It's more on his level:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0448426765/102-5990125-8479300?v=glance&n=283155

Maybe in a few years he can work up to this: http://www.iamastupidretard.com/