What DUAT system is more popular?

[squale]

I know there is www.duats.com and www.duat.com

I was just wondering a few things..

1.) What system is MORE popular and used by the most pilots?

2.) Do both sites use the same information from the FAA? so really you only need to belong to one of the sites because you will get the same exact info from both sites?

3.) Are both of these sites the same thing as 1-800-WX-BRIEF ? Like does DUATS and WX-BRIEF both come from a FAA Flight Service Station?

4.) Do most people below to BOTH of the DUATS sites? if so, why? and what one is better?

thanks

 

[Northern Lights]

I use Duats, probably because that is the one I first signed up for. I can't really compare it to the other, but I'm sure that you get essentially the same information.

The nice thing is that by using either site, you can get an "official" WX briefing and not have to deal with a phone call to FSS.

It is also nice to use, if you are just looking for a quick update on weather instead of having to call to get one piece of information.

On duats I really like using the Flight Planner function. You can store several aircraft profiles, and it will spit out a flight plan based on actual weather.

1-800-WX-BRIEF can be helpful too if you are not very experienced in interpreting the weather. It can be nice to have a live voice on the other end of the line to answer questions about what is happening.

 

[squale]

well how about sites like: http://adds.aviationweather.noaa.gov/

Are they official FAA-approved sources of weather information for flying?

why do you NEED to get official weather before you fly? or is this only needed IF you are filing a flight plan?

 

[Northern Lights]

It's important to get official weather in order to CYA if something happens.

FAR 91.3 PIC is responsible for the flight and is the final authority.

FAR 91.103 Preflight Action: You must be familiar with the weather for an IFR flight or a flight not in the vicinity.

ADDS is great too, but it doesn't log your briefing. If you have an accident that is weather related and you had gone to DUats etc. at least you could prove that you made yourself familiar with the weather.

 

[squale]

okay I see..

So for VFR flights, do you NEED to get an OFFICIAL weather briefing prior to flying? and do you NEED to file a flight plan?


how about with IFR flights?

 

[Northern Lights]

For VFR flights you are not required to file a flight plan. Again, FAR 91.103(a) explains when you need to be familiar with the weather. The way it reads is that if you are not in the vicinity of your departure airport then you need to be familiar with the WX.

So I suppose a local flight you aren't required to have all of the WX info, but I would certainly still recommend getting a briefing.

IFR you will file a flight plan, and according to 91.103 will know all about the weather.

 

[Jedi_Cheese]

I am a member of both sites. I use duats the most because I signed up for it first and now know all the tricks. Some FBO's in the middle of nowhere require you to have a membership to DTC or CSC (their prefrence) in order to sign onto their weather station.

You don't need an official weatherbriefing if you are VFR (you could grab some reports from other pilots and the weather channel) but it is highly reccomened. I think you only need to be familiar with the weather you will be flying through. A filed flight plan is optional but reccomened.

IFR is a totally different beast.

 

[ShawnC]

well how about sites like: http://adds.aviationweather.noaa.gov/

Are they official FAA-approved sources of weather information for flying?

why do you NEED to get official weather before you fly? or is this only needed IF you are filing a flight plan?

I use that site, and do a CYA phone call to get a standard briefing.

 

[7B2]

Looking for the CFI of Squale

Looking for the CFI who's teaching squale.

Please give this guy homework, videos, charts, manuals, a POH, E6B, plotter, checklist, weather printouts, far/aim, advisory circulars, compass card!!, lots of books, cheap watch!!
And please tell him that his question asking on flightinfo is an insult to you and potentially frustating to his fellow aviators on this site.

Thanks

 

[dmspilot00]

Personally, I like DUAT.COM better. That's only because the website is better designed, looks nicer, and easier to navigate. They both have the same information.

 

[pilotman2105]

Re: Looking for the CFI of Squale

Looking for the CFI who's teaching squale.

Please give this guy homework, videos, charts, manuals, a POH, E6B, plotter, checklist, weather printouts, far/aim, advisory circulars, compass card!!, lots of books, cheap watch!!
And please tell him that his question asking on flightinfo is an insult to you and potentially frustating to his fellow aviators on this site.

Thanks

While it is nice to have someone as interested as you are squale, there is a lot of truth in this statement.

Is your instructor teaching you this stuff yet?

As for weather, just find some of your favorite sites online. I haven't gotten a complete weather briefing in nearly a year. The more you plow around on the various weather sites, the more you will understand and learn.

 

[squale]

no my instructor isn't near any of this yet,, I am only on my 3rd lesson, so what I am trying to do is get a firm understanding of many of these things BEFORE actually getting to them in the curriculum. This way once I do get to them in the plane, I will already have an understanding for them, and then won't be trying to learn about weather, etc. while trying to concentrate on learing how to handle the plane along with talking to ATC. I guess you can say I am "jumping the gun" but I am very eager to learn this stuff, and also, I always remember things much longer when I first read up on it, then re-read the topics at a later time..

 

[pilotman2105]

I guess you can say I am "jumping the gun"...

Son, you are trying to get halfway through the race before everyone else gets in the d*mn building.

 

[Illini Pilot]

i agree that duat.com is better designed....and better flight planner ;-)


ps-

i didnt even get to what watch and mag compass for the car to buy until after i soloed!

 

[skyking1976]

Son, you are trying to get halfway through the race before everyone else gets in the d*mn building.

Agreed. Concentrate on steep turns and flying a nice even pattern. Don't get too hung up on weather until you start learing cross-country flying. In the meantime, this book as well as your FAR/AIM can be a good self-teaching tool for weather.

SK

 

[DenverDude2002]

I always check both duats and adds before a flight. Sure I'm only flying VFR for training but anyone whos flown in Colorado knows how insane the weather can be sometimes. Its also nice to know if its going to be to da*m windy to fly before I get down to the airport 1 hr away. I also always check the airports ATIS, along with 3 other ATIS's in the same general 30nm area a few times before I go up. Just because it seems like this time of year theres always light-moderate turbulence up there unless your lucky.

Itd funny how squale is playing 1001 questions on the forums here after hes started flying. I used to have a million questions to, before I actually got in the plane and started flying. Now if I dont know the answer I just ask a friend whos training or another cfi at the FBO. Its funny how some people think you have to know all the answers 2 hrs into flight training. Relax, enjoy the lessons, enjoy flying, and dont obssess over every little detail.