Since the topic of this issue is weather, a refresher on hypothermia (body temperature too low) and hyperthermia (body temperature too high) seems appropriate. Although the relative risk of one versus the other certainly varies with the season, both are potential year-round concerns.

Summer flying is upon us, and with it, the skies grow even busier. As pilots prepare their aircraft and plan their flights, we highlight the importance of weather awareness and its critical role in ensuring a safe flight.

Weather has a tricky tendency to show up unannounced and throw a continent-sized wrench in a pilot’s flight plans. It’s a scenario all too common within the general aviation (GA) community and can have risky consequences for unprepared pilots. So, what can pilots do to keep weather surprises from ruining their flight? A look at air masses and fronts could offer much-needed insight.

Flying under visual flight rules (VFR) is a great way to experience general aviation (GA). VFR offers a sense of freedom that many pilots prize. So long as the weather cooperates, pilots can fly VFR from one end of the country to another. VFR flying allows a more flexible, less rigid approach than instrument flight rules (IFR). In some cases, VFR flexibility can offer advantages over IFR, even when the weather deteriorates, and air traffic control (ATC) procedures may restrict operations. While they are edge cases, these circumstances do exist. And some pilots prefer to hold complete control...

While the mantra “don’t fly in bad weather” is sound advice in theory, the reality of the cockpit is often much more complex. Weather is dynamic; it evolves faster than the standard briefing cycle can refresh.

Weather is an important and ever-present factor in aviation, influencing flight paths and how pilots shape their operational strategies. Its dynamic nature is a reminder that change is an integral part of a pilot’s environment. In that same vein, the FAA Safety Briefing magazine is currently embracing a few changes to better serve our community of aviators and technicians.

Foreign Object Debris (FOD) can cause catastrophic damage to aircraft that are landing or taking off, and its removal is a critical safety element of airport safety and operations.

Our brand-new air traffic control system is taking shape, and FAA technicians and engineers are playing a critical role in this massive project. From installing digital radars and flight strips for better flight tracking to deploying new radios and networks for clear, reliable communication, our Tech Ops team is instrumental in the FAA’s effort to create a safer, smoother travel experience for passengers everywhere.

Smart Regulation Enabled Innovation While Advancing Safety

The history she made as a teenager influenced the moral arc of our nation. The history she continued to make as the first leader of the FAA’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation will help extend humanity’s reach throughout the solar system.