The Aviation Weather Handbook (AWH) was updated this spring. Just as pilots should routinely get updated forecasts before flight, it’s advisable to refresh your basic weather knowledge, too. The AWH also covers the theory behind weather systems and the atmospheric structure.

The annual summer migration is underway. As millions of Americans head out for vacations, family visits, and long-awaited adventures, the FAA is working around the clock to keep the nation’s airspace safe, efficient, and moving.

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.

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.

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...

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.

As it turns out, certain types of weather products are best suited to particular windows of time ahead of a flight. Here, just in time for the next “mail run,” is a time-to-flight guide to weather products.

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.

A quick glance at the weather for a short night flight shows green dots at both the departure and destination — good to go right? The color categories are based on the lowest ceilings, not the lowest overall cloud layer. That means only broken or overcast layers are used to determine the ceiling and corresponding flight category — scattered and few layers do not count.

Atmospheric conditions are the primary drivers of aircraft structural degradation. After a severe weather event or prolonged exposure to coastal and/or polluted environments, a standard pre-flight check is insufficient. Instead, look for latent defects that compromise flight safety.