By Hugh Thomas, FAA Flight Standards Service Executive Director

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.

Longer days and increased flying opportunities are often countered by unique weather challenges. Understanding the intricacies of summer weather patterns, from thunderstorms to turbulence, is vital in ensuring safe and enjoyable flights. This issue of FAA Safety Briefing will refresh your memory of important weather essentials and provide helpful strategies for coping with Mother Nature.

Thunderstorms are front and center when it comes to summer flying hazards. In fact, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimates that about 100,000 thunderstorms occur each year in the U.S., with 10% reaching severe levels. Given their frequency and potential for damage, it’s critical to have a plan to weather the storm. You’ll find several thunderstorm avoidance strategies in the article, “Steering Around Storms,” including tips on what to do during an in-flight encounter.

Severe weather comes in many forms, and thunderstorms are only part of the picture. In the article “Beyond the Briefing,” we take a closer look at several other extreme weather phenomena, such as tornadoes, hail, turbulence, and icing. Avoiding or mitigating different weather hazards requires more than simply reading a meteorological aerodrome report (METAR); it demands a deeper understanding of the atmospheric mechanics to recognize warning signs and steer clear of danger.

While an unplanned encounter with instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) may not seem dangerous, it is deceptive and remains a leading cause of fatal accidents. In the article, "Silver Linings, Silver Bullets, and Other Fictions," we deliver helpful strategies to avoid this scenario.

One of the best strategies for avoiding dangerous weather is to have a high-level view of what drives changes in the atmosphere. In the feature “Air Masses and Fronts" you’ll learn about a global perspective on frontal systems and air masses, revealing how these dynamic elements can influence your next flight. By understanding the broader patterns driving weather changes, pilots can make more informed go/no-go decisions.

Speaking of sound decision-making, there’s no better way to enhance the safety of your next flight than by performing a proper pre-flight weather briefing. But with the abundance of weather data available, choosing which resources to use (and when) can be a challenge. Cut through the clutter and read “Too Much Weather,” with a time-to-flight guide to weather products.

Also in this issue, learn more about the importance of creating and updating your visual flight rules (VFR) flight plans, maintenance tips for combatting corrosion, and the FAA’s Weather Camera Program manager, Cohl Pope. As an additional resource, check out the GAJSC’s Fly Safe topic on understanding aircraft performance. It provides some important weather-related tips to consider when calculating your aircraft’s performance limitations, such as weight and balance and density altitude. These FAA resources should help expand your weather wisdom and guide you in making well-informed decisions before your next flight.

Lastly, the FAA would like to recognize the hundreds of airmen who were honored as FAA Master Pilots and Master Mechanics in 2025. These esteemed awards are a tribute to achieving 50 years of safety and professionalism as a pilot or mechanic. I’d also like to honor this year’s National General Aviation Award winners: Flight Instructor of the Year Mike Kloch, Aviation Technician of the Year Roger Whittier, and FAASTeam Representative of the Year Mike Jesch. Please join me in congratulating these men and women for their amazing achievements.

Safe flying!

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