Aviation Weather Graphical Forecast Tool: How to Use It
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The Aviation Graphical Forecast tool has replaced the old text-based forecasts that most of us were familiar with and only some of us liked.
This new tool is similar to what you might find on an iPad app to better depict the weather on an overlay map to help you visualize exactly what you'll encounter along your flight route.
Some things to keep in mind:
• Displays are continuously updated and can be viewed in the past or in the future
• The weather displayed is updated as it comes from this weather product, not "constantly updating".
• The tool covers the surface with FL420
• Wind, icing and turbulence forecasts are available in 3,000 foot increments from the surface to FL180 and in 6,000 foot increments to FL420.
• Refer to AC 00-45H or click the button at the bottom right of the tool for a legend of the symbols
• Remember that you can turn off a layer on the GFA tool, don't think just because you don't see something that it's not there!
• You can always call a weather reporter (and should) to further explain the weather you see depicted on the GFA tool.
• Refer to AC 00-45H chg. 1 (5-61)_or click the button at the bottom right of the tool for a symbol legend
The scenario
You want to take a 100 nautical mile cross-country flight to another airport. There is an airport along the route with a TAF, but no other good forecasts along the route (remember that a TAF is only a forecast for a 5nm radius around the airport for which it is intended). You can use the GFA tool to help you get an idea of the weather you are likely to encounter at your cruising altitude for the duration of your flight. You use the GFA tool and find a few symbols along your route that you're not sure what they mean. You call 1-800-WX-BRIEF and speak with a briefing to clarify symbols and confirm the weather you see along the route. It's a happy scenario, with a happy ending as you use all the tools at your disposal to get a good picture of the weather before takeoff. Remember not to miss anything because you disabled a layer on the GFA tool!
This new tool is similar to what you might find on an iPad app to better depict the weather on an overlay map to help you visualize exactly what you'll encounter along your flight route.
Some things to keep in mind:
• Displays are continuously updated and can be viewed in the past or in the future
• The weather displayed is updated as it comes from this weather product, not "constantly updating".
• The tool covers the surface with FL420
• Wind, icing and turbulence forecasts are available in 3,000 foot increments from the surface to FL180 and in 6,000 foot increments to FL420.
• Refer to AC 00-45H or click the button at the bottom right of the tool for a legend of the symbols
• Remember that you can turn off a layer on the GFA tool, don't think just because you don't see something that it's not there!
• You can always call a weather reporter (and should) to further explain the weather you see depicted on the GFA tool.
• Refer to AC 00-45H chg. 1 (5-61)_or click the button at the bottom right of the tool for a symbol legend
The scenario
You want to take a 100 nautical mile cross-country flight to another airport. There is an airport along the route with a TAF, but no other good forecasts along the route (remember that a TAF is only a forecast for a 5nm radius around the airport for which it is intended). You can use the GFA tool to help you get an idea of the weather you are likely to encounter at your cruising altitude for the duration of your flight. You use the GFA tool and find a few symbols along your route that you're not sure what they mean. You call 1-800-WX-BRIEF and speak with a briefing to clarify symbols and confirm the weather you see along the route. It's a happy scenario, with a happy ending as you use all the tools at your disposal to get a good picture of the weather before takeoff. Remember not to miss anything because you disabled a layer on the GFA tool!
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