Weather Threat Management

Whether you fly single-pilot or as part of a flight crew, effective use of all available resources during preflight and while airborne is essential to enable time critical decisions, and to maximize the safety of flight.

Airborne weather radar is a tremendous tool that is made even more effective when combined with solid preflight planning, use of NEXRAD, lightning strike displays, moving maps, and other tools. Figures 26-28 below are examples of resources used to gather hazardous weather information.

During flight, airborne weather radar allows you to obtain real-time information about hazardous precipitation in your flight path, allowing you to identify, investigate, and assess these hazards for their potential as threats to the comfort and safety of your flight.

The most effective use of weather radar occurs when you develop a consistent methodology and practice it on every flight. There are many effective ways to use radar, but they generally center around identifying, investigating, and assessing potential threats. While we list these as three separate activities, they tend to blend together while you use the system to avoid hazardous weather.

KEY POINT: Developing and practicing a consistent methodology for use of your radar system on every flight prepares you for when you need it the most.

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