WillNotFly4Food
Well-Known Member
Hope it's not a repost... just a heads up from one of SLC ARTCC metos in charge.
Changes to the Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF)
On February 1, 2004, the National Weather Service (NWS) implemented
changes to the TAF. The important changes for General Aviation (GA)
pilots, flight instructors (CFI), and other users of the TAF are:
1. Eliminate BECMG (Becoming).
2. Eliminate the use of PROB40 (40% probability of the specified
weather occurring).
3. Restricting the use of PROB30. The PROB30 will not be used in the
first 9 hours of the TAF, including amendments. (Previously it was not
allowed during the first 6 hours of the TAF).
The GA community, specifically pilots and flight instructors when flight
planning and decision making, should keep in mind that the TAF should
not be their sole source for a forecast of thunderstorms or rain or snow
shower at an airport, or along a route of flight. If the forecaster
feels the probability of thunderstorms and other precipitation events,
including any associated lower ceilings and visibilities, is less than
50 percent during the first 9 hours of a TAF, the TAF will not contain
that weather. If the forecaster believes the probability is 50 percent
or greater, the forecaster will include the weather in the TAF by using
a TEMPO (temporary conditions between the time stated) or FM (voiced as
"from", and meaning the prevailing weather will change at that time).
For flight planning and decision making, GA pilots and CFIs should use
all available weather information, and not limit their decision on one
product, i.e. the TAF. Just as in instrument flying, a pilot does not
focus on one instrument, rather the pilot scans several instruments.
The weather savy GA pilot should adopt the same procedure, which is to
look at several weather products and forecasts. For example, in
addition to the TAF, also use the Area Forecast (FA), NWS and other
Internet forecasts, television and radio weather forecasts, and
briefings from Flight Service Stations (FSS).
Thanks to the Internet, self briefings are becoming easier, but unless
you're a weather expert, don't omit the most important source for
weather, the Flight Service Station. I use FSS, and I'm a weather expert!
Changes to the Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF)
On February 1, 2004, the National Weather Service (NWS) implemented
changes to the TAF. The important changes for General Aviation (GA)
pilots, flight instructors (CFI), and other users of the TAF are:
1. Eliminate BECMG (Becoming).
2. Eliminate the use of PROB40 (40% probability of the specified
weather occurring).
3. Restricting the use of PROB30. The PROB30 will not be used in the
first 9 hours of the TAF, including amendments. (Previously it was not
allowed during the first 6 hours of the TAF).
The GA community, specifically pilots and flight instructors when flight
planning and decision making, should keep in mind that the TAF should
not be their sole source for a forecast of thunderstorms or rain or snow
shower at an airport, or along a route of flight. If the forecaster
feels the probability of thunderstorms and other precipitation events,
including any associated lower ceilings and visibilities, is less than
50 percent during the first 9 hours of a TAF, the TAF will not contain
that weather. If the forecaster believes the probability is 50 percent
or greater, the forecaster will include the weather in the TAF by using
a TEMPO (temporary conditions between the time stated) or FM (voiced as
"from", and meaning the prevailing weather will change at that time).
For flight planning and decision making, GA pilots and CFIs should use
all available weather information, and not limit their decision on one
product, i.e. the TAF. Just as in instrument flying, a pilot does not
focus on one instrument, rather the pilot scans several instruments.
The weather savy GA pilot should adopt the same procedure, which is to
look at several weather products and forecasts. For example, in
addition to the TAF, also use the Area Forecast (FA), NWS and other
Internet forecasts, television and radio weather forecasts, and
briefings from Flight Service Stations (FSS).
Thanks to the Internet, self briefings are becoming easier, but unless
you're a weather expert, don't omit the most important source for
weather, the Flight Service Station. I use FSS, and I'm a weather expert!