Captain Doug flies the B787 Dreamliner around the world and is a certified meteorologist. His book, Canadian Aviation Weather, is there to help. www.canadianaviationweather.ca
#1- Aviation weather is tough to learn
Many pilots are intimidated by weather. Maybe it’s due to a poor instructor, or the flight school put little weight on the subject.
As one student described it, “meteorology, in my opinion, is a heavy subject to learn.” But learning weather is very doable.
However, it will take time and effort. You won’t be commanding a Cessna 172 with B777 captain weather experience, but you must always be on top of it. Yes, practice makes perfect.
#2- A local pilot knows it all regarding weather.
True, they may know their winds and have a thick sense of local weather, but take them out of their comfort zone and see how much weather they really know.
Displace that pilot doing sight-seeing orbits over the Grand Canyon that boasts daily VFR conditions and then ask them to operate along Canada’s east coast in the winter or thunderstorm-infested Florida.
#3- When I get to the big leagues, everything is done for me
People assume no more reading and interpreting weather at the big airlines.
However, you will constantly be deciphering weather, and mother nature will taunt or even hurt you when you let down your guard.
#4- Military pilots know more than civilians
- College grads know more than flying club pilots.
- Captains know more about weather than first officers.
- Fixed-wing drivers know weather better than helicopter pilots.
- Male pilots instinctively know weather more than their female counterparts.
It’s all hogwash!
You will meet meteorological whizzes flying Cessna 172s and weather doofuses commanding Hercules aircraft.
Sure, experience plays heavily into the equation, but I am amazed how many skip learning and mastering weather.
They don’t have open minds, and you will encounter them along your journey — assertiveness will save you.
#5- High Pressure Systems are Always Great
But highs can throw surprises. In another post we will discuss nefarious highs.
Weather Books by Captain Doug
(Click the image to purchase your copy)
Doug, thank you for the submission.