flight or fright
5 weather lessons every pilot should know
Weather is one of aviation’s greatest hazards, but also one of the most avoidable in flight.
We sat down with meteorologist, full-time corporate pilot, flight instructor, and Fox Weather’s aviation contributor, JP Dice, to talk about weather in aviation. From the studio to the cockpit, JP has spent decades studying weather, giving him a unique perspective on how pilots deal with, interpret, and plan for weather.
According to JP, there are five lessons every pilot can carry into the cockpit.
Keep your forecast fresh
JP calls weather ‘highly perishable.’
Just because you looked at the forecast yesterday, or even an hour ago, doesn’t mean it hasn’t changed.
“When you’re in a route, continue to look at that weather and see if any changes are happening while the airplane’s moving,” JP says.
The lesson:
Safe flying means continually evaluating conditions before departure and throughout the flight and adjusting plans as conditions evolve.
Trust the tools and know their limits
The pilots today have access to an unprecedented amount of information and technology – ADS-B weather, onboard radar, satellite weather, etc.
“The situational awareness that you now have in an airplane is unlike it’s ever been before.” JP says. “There is absolutely no reason to launch into something and not know what’s going on.”
Although this technology can make things safer, it shouldn’t replace judgement.
JP says NEXRAD radar data is delayed, so what you’re seeing with the XM or ADS-B weather, could be 20 minutes old. That’s why relying on one source can create a false sense of security.
The lesson:
JP encourages pilots to build both the strategic picture (what the weather is doing across the route) and the tactical picture (what’s happening immediately around the airplane).
Extra bit:
One tool that JP recommends is the RadarScope app.
“It gives you single-site NEXRAD, quarter-kilometer resolution, it’s really detailed.”
plane for B and C
One of JP’s biggest philosophies is simple: Have a Plan B. Then have a Plan C.
The forecast might not always be exactly correct: it could be icier than expected, storms move, winds shift.
JP says “You never want to back yourself into a corner.”
Whether it’s carrying additional fuel, identifying alternate airports, or simply delaying a departure by an hour to let a weather system pass, having a Plan B and C in place creates options if or when conditions change.
The lesson:
Being flight-ready means always leaving yourself an out. Asking yourself questions to plan for your backup plans will help you stay prepared for the worst:
- 1. What are my alternate plans?
- 2. How much extra fuel do I have?
- 3. If this weather develops faster than expected, what’s my exit?
Don’t underestimate icing conditions
Lightning strike–concerning. But what’s more concerning than thunderstorms?
“Icing scares me more,” he says.
While thunderstorms can often be seen and navigated around, icing has the potential to develop quickly and can significantly disrupt airflow and reduce lift. Even aircraft equipped with ice protection systems can become overwhelmed.
The lesson:
Watch out for icing. Just because you have an ice protection system doesn’t mean you can put it on the back burner.
Focus on the flight
JP says if an unexpected situation occurs, focus on flying the airplane.
“When we get spooked by something, or we have something that really gets our adrenaline going, kind of a fight-or-flight deal, we go into a primal instinct and stop thinking. And that’s when you run into problems.”
JP refers to this fight-or-flight reaction as ‘lizard brain’ and says it’s very important to avoid it. Focus on flying the airplane.
“Don’t take something that’s a non-emergency and turn it into an emergency.”
The Lesson:
Whether you’re flying a short mission or crossing the country in a PC-12, weather will always be part of your mission. JP’s advice isn’t to fear it, it’s to understand it.
JP teaches seminars across the country, writes aviation weather articles, and posts educational videos for pilots. To learn more about safe flying, visit JP’s YouTube channel, Beyond the Briefing, and Skybound Partners.
For more weather flying tips, click HERE.