jetcareers - View Single Post

Matt13C · May 1st, 2008, 20:01

I was on my long cross country today and I had some unexpected weather. I got a detailed briefing from DUAT and also looked over the maps on Aviationweather.noaa.gov before I departed and all signs pointed to a go. Winds calm, scattered at 8000 for the whole area and nothing pointed to weather moving into my path.

As I was flying the clouds started to close in on me, they were down around 4000. Certainly did not expect this. I tuned in the AWOS for the landing airport but was too far out to pick it up. I was already talking to approach control for flight following but he was kind of busy and I have heard they do not like when you ask for a weather update.

I went on a bit further and conditions continued to deteriorated, got good and turbulent, clouds got darker and they looked like they were down below my altitude up ahead so I decided to turn back and try another day.

How would you have handled the situation? Would you have asked approach for a weather update or ask to change frequency to contact FSS for a weather update? I am not exactly sure how they work, will they give me the current situation or just read me the metar?

May 1st, 2008, 20:01	#1
Matt13C Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Philly Posts: 561	who to call, how to find out? I was on my long cross country today and I had some unexpected weather. I got a detailed briefing from DUAT and also looked over the maps on Aviationweather.noaa.gov before I departed and all signs pointed to a go. Winds calm, scattered at 8000 for the whole area and nothing pointed to weather moving into my path. As I was flying the clouds started to close in on me, they were down around 4000. Certainly did not expect this. I tuned in the AWOS for the landing airport but was too far out to pick it up. I was already talking to approach control for flight following but he was kind of busy and I have heard they do not like when you ask for a weather update. I went on a bit further and conditions continued to deteriorated, got good and turbulent, clouds got darker and they looked like they were down below my altitude up ahead so I decided to turn back and try another day. How would you have handled the situation? Would you have asked approach for a weather update or ask to change frequency to contact FSS for a weather update? I am not exactly sure how they work, will they give me the current situation or just read me the metar?