Three days (72 hours) in advance of the trip, start monitoring the weather; commercial  TV, newspapers, etc.

Next:

Start at the Nat. WX Service Storm Prediction Ctr. (SPC) at www.spc.noaa.gov

Select “All SPC Forecasts”, “Day 3” and observe.

Select “Conv. Outlooks” and observe “Day 3 Outlook”.

Go to www.aopa.org/members/wx  and select Surface 72 hours and observe.

Two days (48 hours) in advance of the trip, look at DAY 2’s forecast.

Repeat above (72 hours) collecting 48 hour info or Day 2.

Go to www.aopa.org/members/wx  and also read “Textual” forecast info.

One day (24 hours) in advance of the trip  look at “tomorrows forecast”.

Start at www.spc.noaa.gov , select “All SPC Forecasts”, “Tomorrows Outlook” and observe.

Go to “Convective Outlooks” and select “Current Day 2 Outlook” and observe.

Go to ADDS www.aviationweather.noaa.gov

Select “Prog Charts” and observe “24 hr. Forecast”.

Select “TAF” and select area wanted on the map.

Select “Area Forecast” and select map area of interest and read forecast.

Go to www.aopa.org/members/wx and select “Surface 24 hours” and observe.

Equipment to Take

Handheld Radio 700 plus adapters, and chargers

GPS units Primary (496) and secondary (600), charged up, adapters

Sectional charts. Make sure they are current.

Airport/Facilities Directories are current.

Headset plus spare set

Navigation tools i.e. plotter, Flight Plan forms, E6-B

Water

Urination jug

Survival equipment

Day of trip (Day 1).

Start at www.spc.noaa.gov , select “Overview”.

Select “Conv. Outlook” and “Current Day Outlook”.

Select www.aviationweather.noaa.gov/std_brief  and

Select www.aopa.org/members/wx  . Select “12hrs”.

Go to www.weathermeister.com

Review the following;

METAR’s

TAF’s, Terminal Forecasts, Area Forecasts http://aviationweather.gov/std_brief/

        Convective Sigmets , Airmets http://aviationweather.gov/std_brief/

        Winds Aloft http://www.aopa.org/members/wx/windpage.cf

        Radar          http://www.aopa.org/members/wx/radpage.cfm

        And https://www.duat.com/form/wxgraph.frm

NOTAMS and TFR’s http://tfr.faa.gov/tfr2/list.jsp

and http://www.flightnotams.com/

        AWOS/ASOS sites across USA http://www.faa.gov/asos/map/map.htm

        WX and particularly winds at destination and alternative airports

Call FSS and get WX briefing.

ADDITIONAL WEATHER SITES

Air Sports Net  Gliding orientation

http://www.usairnet.com/weather/forecast/local/?pands=53717&Submit=GO

Surface Conditions

http://www.usairnet.com/cgi-bin/launch/code.cgi?state=WI&Submit=Get+Locations

Unisys Upper Air

http://weather.unisys.com/upper_air/index.html

Weather to Fly    Multi site links

http://www.weathertofly.com/

Sectional Charts

Determine route using WAC, Sectional Charts or http://skyvector.com/

Determine Waypoints

List ATC/FSS’ enroute

Review Route for Restricted Areas, MOA’s, and Obstacles

Find Alternates—look at fuel availability, accommodations, car, etc.  http://www.airnav.com/

List ALL frequencies expected along the route.

GPS

Input Waypoints

Batteries Charged, spare batteries and adapters available

Phone Unicoms and ask;

Runway conditions and weather at destinations.

Local info not in NOTAM’s

Links & Resources compliments of Ron Anderson: Tecnam Owner N825AT.

Send mail to esimone@superioraviation.com with questions or comments about this web site.
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Last modified: 04/25/07