Quick WX Question

[clayfenderstrat]

Somebody please help me out. I am working on my PPL and am getting ready to start my cross countries. I had the ground school, but have to go back to finish my actual flight (cross country). My instructor showed me how to plan the first leg of my flight, but he wants me to plan the second leg. What is the procedure when I call 1-800-WX-Breif? (or whatever the number is?) Do I have to read back information? Can I call and get a weather breifing anytime, just to get a feel for it, or can I only call when it is time to fly? I want to call them to see what it is like, so that I won't be lost when I really have to write all of the information down. Thanks to anyone who can point me in the right direction.

Thanks,
Clay

[PGT]

I would only call before you go up. It's not bad, it's a human so you can tell him it's your first time calling and to go slow, 90% of the briefers are super nice. No you don't read back anything, if you call more than 6 hours from your flight you can request an outlook briefing.

They just tell you NOTAM's, METAR's, Winds Aloft, high/low pressures, forecasts, nothing too complicated.

You could always go to duats.com and get your stuff from there. It's what I do instead of calling the briefer.

[CamYZ125]

My suggestion (and what I had all my students do) is just tell the briefer when you call that it's you're a student pilot, and it's your first time calling in. That way they'll be sure to be extra helpful and nice to ya.

The number is 1-800-WX BRIEF (992-7433). Typically you'll call in and get a weather briefing and file a flight plan, but you can do either or without doing the other. Be prepared to give the briefer all of the info on the back side of your nav log. You could call anytime, but it's really not that big of a deal. Just give yourself some extra time before that first flight, let the briefer know it's your first time calling, and always remember: they're just another person on the other end of a phone. Don't feel like you have to talk 'aviation' to them. If you don't understand something, or don't know how to ask something.. just use plain english! They understand it too!

[unclenobby]

The link below has the info you will need to provide the briefer once you call them, and what you can expect from them. You can always ask them any question.
I think someone posted a link to an Excel flight log recently that contained a section for the weather. It makes it easier to organise your work (put Notams in the Notam section etc). If you can't find the link PM me with your email and I will send it to you.

http://www.afss.com/service/?svc=preflight

[mooneyguy]

Originally Posted by clayfenderstrat

Somebody please help me out. I am working on my PPL and am getting ready to start my cross countries. I had the ground school, but have to go back to finish my actual flight (cross country). My instructor showed me how to plan the first leg of my flight, but he wants me to plan the second leg. What is the procedure when I call 1-800-WX-Breif? (or whatever the number is?) Do I have to read back information? Can I call and get a weather breifing anytime, just to get a feel for it, or can I only call when it is time to fly? I want to call them to see what it is like, so that I won't be lost when I really have to write all of the information down. Thanks to anyone who can point me in the right direction.

Thanks,
Clay

Do I have to read back information? NO

Can I call and get a weather briefing anytime? Yes

Ok, Now right this down on the inside cover of your logbook...

(Your aircraft type and N#) VFR Departing (your airport ID) at _ _ _ _ Z (or just give your local time) flying to (Dest airport ID)
Time enroute ________ Altitude__________
I would like a (either Standard, Abbreviated, or Outlook) Briefing

Until you are use to it, when you call for a brief, just open your logbook and read it filling in the blanks with your info!

A standard will get you the full brief!
Lets say you got a standard and a couple hours went by and you just want to get more current weather...call back and ask for an abbreviated.
Or you want to get a brief for planning for a flight 6+ hours away ask for the outlook brief!

You can call anytime. If you want something very specific say you see a towering cumulus off in the distance and your earlier report said nothing about tstorms, just call and ask him what the radar shows for that area. They are there for YOU!

[LoadMasterC141]

I am less than impressed that your instructor did not walk you through this the first time. I had a crappy instructor IMO, but he at least did this with me.

You can call the night before and ask for an outlook briefing to get a feel for what the weather will be like the next day. Hours before your flight, you can call and get a full brief. They do go fast and it will be overwhelming if you don't tell them it is your first time. Try to take as many notes as possible.

Ideally, I like to be in front of a computer displaying weather data at the same time as talking to the fSS, whether it be an FBO weather center, DUATS, or ADDS.
I found that the weather data available on the internet or at an FBO was far more valuable than an FSS brief. However, I still call them, or go through DUATS as well when the weather is iffy. Why? Becuase it provides a record to the FAA, should something happen, that I DID check the weather before departure.

[bdhill1979]

Originally Posted by LoadMasterC141

I am less than impressed that your instructor did not walk you through this the first time.

I will always make the first few calls with my students and have the briefer on speaker phone. Only after they have done it a few times will I just let them do it on their own.

[PGT]

Originally Posted by LoadMasterC141

I am less than impressed that your instructor did not walk you through this the first time. I had a crappy instructor IMO, but he at least did this with me.

My instructor was awesome and never showed me this. He's like this is the number, have a VFR form filled out when you call (maybe he did but I'm sure you know you have to tell students something 10 times and they still might say "you never told me that"). Of course he was hands off kind and made me dig for info rather then tell me the answers.