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4 Answers

Practice weather briefings

Asked by: 4577 views , ,
Weather

Everywhere you can get a legal weather briefing requires a flight plan and tail number, but I'd like to call (or use one of the online services) and step through a standard briefing once in a while just for practice. 

Of course, I'm sure I can just pull a tail number from my logbook, but at the same time, I don't feel right consuming resources when I know I'm not really intending to make the flight.  

Is there standard terminology that can be used to say, "if you guys happen to have time, I'd like a standard briefing from X to Y"? Is it any different using 1800WXBRIEF.com versus calling?

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4 Answers

  1. Best Answer


    Jim F. on Oct 10, 2016

    Let’s start with the flawed premise that “a legal weather briefing requires a flight plan and tail number.” If you don’t have a tail number, they just need the PICs name; Just give them yours. And you don’t need a flight plan; Many a pilot bravely fly after without a flight plan on file, yet still get a briefing.

    As for the “consuming resources,” only you can answer that for yourself. My opinion is that you’re paying into the system, so you can use it as needed to ensure safety of flight. I think practicing and becoming more competent in digesting a weather briefing fulfills that goal.

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  2. Mark Kolber on Oct 11, 2016

    Tagging onto Jim’s excellent answer, it as easy as “hello, I’m a pilot. I’d like a standard briefing…”

    Don’t worry about using resources. Quite the opposite. Flight Watch is gone due to lack of use. The number of telephone calls to Flight Service has decreased enormously since the advent of online planning and briefing tools. Your calls for briefings are more likely to help the system than harm it.

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  3. Mark Kolber on Oct 11, 2016

    Add-on:

    In terms of online services, if you go to the source, 1800wxbrief.com, you can fill out the briefing form with PERSONAL instead of a tail number.

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  4. Skyfox on Oct 13, 2016

    Flight watch is gone? When did this happen?

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