FAA Safety Briefing Magazine

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Supporting the Next Generation of Pilots

FAA update on disclosing a mental health condition and treatment.

Flying Into the Future

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford talks about the future of flight. "As a pilot with more than three decades in this industry, I know firsthand the weight of our shared responsibility."

Summer 2026 issue of FAA Safety Briefing magazine

A Pilot's Guide to Weather

The Summer 2026 issue of FAA Safety Briefing magazine focuses on aviation weather and its critical effect on safe GA flying. Articles review some basic causes of weather activity, how certain conditions can affect pilot safety, and tools you can use to aid your weather...

Checklist: An Update to Your Forecasting

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.

Reducing Weather-Related Aviation Accidents, One Camera at a Time

Originally from Vernal, Utah, Daniel Cohl Pope has a knack for taking things apart. His goal was always to fix it, whatever it was, broken or not. That hands-on mentality led Cohl to enlist in the Air Force in 1990 to repair and keep aircraft flying.

On Final: On the Winds of Change

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.

Vertically Speaking: Beware of the Green Dot Syndrome

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.

Nuts, Bolts & Electrons: A Guide to Post-Storm Airframe Integrity and Corrosion Risks

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.

Drone Debrief: Eyes in the Sky – For Safety

It was August 2024 in Queens, New York, when a terrifying scenario unfolded. A trio of armed invaders forced their way into a home and held several residents against their will. Fortunately, one resident managed to call 911, and a unit responded with a special helper — in the sky.

Aeromedical Advisory: A Pilot’s Guide to Hypothermia and Hyperthermia

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.

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FAA Safety Briefing Magazine

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