Online WX brief, who do you use?

[labbats]

A lot of times I want to check the weather before I head out, but all the sites off of www.ilsapproach.com are a bit scetchy on the details. Anyone have a better spot?

By the way -- that's not to say the links off ilsapproach are bad, but I just want something much more like duats without paying the $1200 annual fee.

 

[FlyingSig]

Just curious why you don't use DUATS? Personally, I use the flight planning & weather parts on the AOPA website (that uses duats though, it just gives you a better radar picture from meteorlogix). fltplan.com also has decent weather charts if you're looking for the big picture.

 

[labbats]

Don't use duats because I'm at home and it's 4am sometimes before I start traffic watch (nothing is open at the airport to check it there, hell I have to open my own hangar). Need to get a good view of the wx before I start calling out go/no go to the reporters, bosses, etc.

But when I'm flight instructing, I like using duats that they have for us there.

 

[Booker]

labbats,

If you have Internet access, which it sounds like you do, you can access DUATS on the Web at DUAT.com (my preference) or DUATS.com.

 

[sheep44]

Have you tried this one?

http://adds.aviationweather.noaa.gov/

 

[flywithastick]

DUATS via AOPA.org myself. Pretty basic visuals, but effective. Aeroplanner.com sometimes for more visual route planning and interactive mapping (click the spot for info, visual TFR's, etc.). Free with my EAA membership.

 

[labbats]

Excellent replies. Thanks all. I really like aeroplanner.com, I'll have to consider paying the $12 a month and get the premium service. It's a wash if I don't have to keep buying approach plates and L-charts.

Is an EAA membership granted access to anything more than basic service? Can't seem to find out exactly what they get other than a quick blurb about an a-la-carte arrangement with EAA.

 

[ShawnC]

Not a legal briefing, but I like having this page, as I go over the phone with the FSS guys:
http://aviationweather.gov/awc/aviation_weather_center.html

 

[flywithastick]

EAA membership granted access to anything more than basic service?

Basic only with EAA.

 

[troyzohner]

duat.com for all weather and quck flight planning. If i want to just a quick update for the metar ill check ipilot.com

 

[JJay]

This pretty much covers it all:

http://www.dispatcher.org/brief/adfbrief.html

 

[labbats]

A lot of the sites mentioned above are linked all on one page at www.ilsapproach.com

 

[Mr. Irrelevant]

I like www.weathertap.com. Updates on radar every couple minutes plus all the basic weather information, surface analysis, depictions, lightning strikes, winds, satellite shots, etc..

 

[BeachBum]

I just want something much more like duats without paying the $1200 annual fee

Duats is free.

 

[labbats]

Duats (the system) -- with the color prog charts, etc. The whole computer setup. I was told by my manager it was @ $1200 a year to use it. I thought it was called duats, the same as the old DOS format looking one. Whatever, you get the point.

 

[Khirsah]

I think you're getting DUATS confused with DTN

DUATS (Direct User Access Terminal Service) is a free service provided to anyone who has a valid pilot's certificate. Available at www.duats.com or www.duat.com

DTN (Data Transmission Network) and services like it is the system you see in all the FBOs around the country. That's the big expensive subscription service.

DUATS is completely free and completely legal, as long as you have a valid pilot's license.

Go to www.duats.com (for CSC duats) or www.duat.com (for DTS duats). All you need to register is a pilot's certificate number and your last name.

 

[wickedpilot]

Relieved

wow, I'm glad I finally reached a post that let labbats know that DUATS doesn't cost 1200 bucks to use. It's FREE and user friendly.

DUATS on the Web provides immediate on-line access to U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved information including:

Current, continuously updated weather information
Easy-to-understand plain language weather
Flight plan filing and closing
Automated flight planning

This should get you started:
http://www.duats.com/duats.cgi

 

[labbats]

Sadly, I meant DTN. I posses the unique skill of saying one thing and thinking another on certain words when I'm tired. In fact, some of my poor students get told to perform short field landings when I mean soft field, and vice versa. It's gotten to be a bit of a running joke with my regulars, they'll ask again if I really mean SHORT or SOFT. Gah.

But in summation, all the posts have been a tremendous help, and I've picked up quite a few good new sites out of it.

Lab