Description: New hires to the National Weather Service Aviation Program and indeed all NWS employees involved in forecast operations must understand the general infrastructure, roles, and responsibilities of NWS aviation programs as well as the needs of external stakeholders including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), commercial airlines, and general aviation. Further, baseline knowledge of critical aviation observations and forecast tools, as well as key products such as the Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF), are required to engage in a majority of aviation forecasting tasks. Forecasters must also understand the importance and impacts of key aviation weather hazards, how to generally forecast those hazards, and how to coordinate the forecast information for decision making purposes.
This fully-updated, 11-lesson course takes learners through all of these topics. It provides opportunities to interpret key observation and forecast products, create and coordinate aviation forecast information within real case scenarios, and even to play a Jeopardy-style game that tests knowledge of the many aviation partners with whom they will work every day.
Note :If the links provided below do not take you directly to the course in the CLC then once logged into the CLC paste the provided links into the URL bar and press Enter to proceed
Required
Updated 2023 12-15 Hours total
DLAC 1: A Guide to Aviation Forecasting in Support of the National Airspace System
Course Title: The Structure of the NWS Aviation Program
Description: All NWS employees involved in forecast operations should be aware of the general infrastructure, roles, and responsibilities of NWS aviation programs, including Weather Forecast Offices, Center Weather Service Units, the Aviation Weather Center, AWC National Aviation Meteorologists, and HQ Analyze, Forecast and Support. They also must understand the needs of external stakeholders and users of NWS products and services including FAA, commercial and general aviation. NWS aviation partners and others with interest in aviation may find this lesson useful. This lesson will provide a broad understanding of the NWS aviation program structure and functions, focusing on roles and responsibilities of operational units providing aviation forecasts and decision support. The learners will play a Jeopardy-style game and try their hand at creating the products of various organizations in the NWS Aviation Program. Before starting this lesson, learners should complete the Weather Decision Support for the National Airspace System lesson.
Course Title: TAF Essentials: Encoding and Standards
Description: This lesson introduces aviation forecasters to how to interpret, encode and issue Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAFs). TAFs are a critical product in decisions and flight planning for all aircraft movement and safety, forming the backbone of airport forecast information across the US National Airspace System (NAS). All TAFs must be prepared, issued and distributed according to the requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), as outlined in the National Weather Service Instruction Package 10-813. In this lesson, learners will first examine required TAF issuance times and what elements constitute a TAF. Next, they will learn how those TAF elements are properly coded and formatted. Finally, they will learn about forecast change group usage and unscheduled TAF issuance, including categorical amendment criteria (CAC). By the end of the lesson, learners will understand technical components of TAF formatting and issuance and how that ties to the policies and procedures that regulate their usage.
Course Title: TAF Essentials: Customers and Decisions
Description: This lesson introduces aviation forecasters to Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) customers and their decisions. TAFs are a critical product in decision making and flight planning for all aircraft movement and safety, forming the backbone of airport forecast information across the US National Airspace System (NAS). All TAFs must be prepared, issued and distributed according to the requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), as outlined in the National Weather Service Instruction Package 10-813. In this lesson, learners will first become familiar with seven key customer groups that rely upon TAF information every day. Next, they will learn how TAF information impacts decision making surrounding costs, safety and timeliness for each group. Learners will further examine sample TAFs and discover what makes them clear or potentially confusing via feedback from real customer group members. The lesson concludes with a summary of TAF best practices and a quick overview of the TAF editing process, which can both be explored in much more detail in the follow-on course - Producing Customer-focused TAFs.
Course Title: Meteorological Observations for Aviation Forecasting
Description: This lesson provides learners with the opportunity to familiarize themselves with several of the essential tools and observations required to perform effectively in their aviation weather roles. This lesson is meant to provide both foundational knowledge about a select list of tools and observations as well as information about how they can best be used within the aviation space. Topics covered in the lesson include: METARs, PIREPs, satellite imagery, Multi-Radar Multi-Sensor (MRMS) system, and the Offshore Precipitation Capability.
Course Title: Meteorological Analysis and Forecast Tools for Aviation
Description: This lesson provides learners with the opportunity to familiarize themselves with several essential analysis and forecast tools required to perform effectively in their aviation weather roles. This lesson is meant to provide both foundational knowledge about a select list of analysis and forecast tools as well as information about how they can best be used within the aviation space. Topics covered in the lesson include Corridor Integrated Weather System (CIWS) and Consolidated Storm Prediction for Aviation (CoSPA), various aviation-specific NWP model outputs, and several Aviation Weather Center tools including Current Icing Product/Forecast Icing Product (CIP/FIP), Traffic Flow Management Convective Forecast, and Gate Forecasts.
We then recommend beginning the Aviation Hazard Overview lessons with Thunderstorms, however the various hazards lessons may be completed in order of individual interest or relevance. Available hazard lessons include:
Course Title: Aviation Hazards: Thunderstorms
Description: This lesson introduces aviation forecasters to the impact of thunderstorms on aviation functions within the US National Airspace System (NAS) and to how National Weather Service (NWS) programs coordinate the production of relevant aviation thunderstorm forecast products. In the lesson, learners will adopt the role of an aviation forecaster at one of four key aviation program offices, including a Weather Forecast Office, a Center Weather Service Unit, the Aviation Weather Center, and AWC National Aviation Meteorologists at the Air Traffic Control System Command Center. Learners will assess a real convective forecast situation and apply their knowledge of observations and forecast tools to create initial aviation thunderstorm forecast products. They will then coordinate the issuance of final products and collaborate with relevant external program offices as needed to clarify and update the products. By the end of the lesson, learners will understand not only the impact of thunderstorms on the NAS, but also the breadth and depth of collaborative work required to provide forecast product continuity and clear decision support services.
Course Title: Aviation Hazards: Low Ceilings and Reduced Visibility
Description: This lesson introduces aviation forecasters to the impact of low ceilings and reduced visibility on aviation functions within the US National Airspace System (NAS) and how National Weather Service (NWS) programs coordinate the production of relevant aviation ceiling and visibility forecast products. In the lesson, learners will examine the roles of aviation forecasters at several key aviation program offices, including Weather Forecast Offices, Center Weather Service Units, the Aviation Weather Center and the Aviation Weather Center National Meteorologists. Learners will assess a real low ceiling and reduced visibility forecast situation from February 2023 over the United States, and apply their knowledge of observations and forecast tools to coordinate the issuance of initial ceiling and visibility products. Learners will also need to apply their knowledge to collaborate with relevant external program offices as needed to clarify and update the products. By the end of the lesson, learners will understand not only the impact of low ceilings and reduced visibility on the NAS, but also the breadth and depth of collaborative work required to provide forecast product continuity and clear decision support services.
Description: This lesson introduces aviation forecasters to the impact of turbulence on aviation functions within the US National Airspace System (NAS) and how National Weather Service (NWS) programs coordinate the production of relevant aviation turbulence forecast products. In the lesson, learners will adopt the role of an aviation forecaster at one of three key aviation program offices, including a Weather Forecast Office, a Center Weather Service Unit and the Aviation Weather Center. Learners will assess a real turbulence forecast situation and apply their knowledge of observations and forecast tools to create initial aviation turbulence forecast products. They will then coordinate the issuance of final products and collaborate with relevant external program offices as needed to clarify and update the products. By the end of the lesson, learners will understand not only the impact of turbulence on the NAS, but also the breadth and depth of collaborative work required to provide forecast product continuity and clear decision support services.
Description: This lesson introduces aviation forecasters to the impact of icing on aviation functions within the US National Airspace System (NAS) and how National Weather Service (NWS) programs coordinate the production of relevant aviation icing forecast products. In the lesson, learners will adopt the role of an aviation forecaster at two key aviation program offices, including a Center Weather Service Unit and the Aviation Weather Center. Learners will assess a real icing forecast situation and apply their knowledge of observations and forecast tools to create initial aviation icing forecast products. They will then coordinate the issuance of final products and collaborate with relevant external program offices as needed to clarify and update the products. By the end of the lesson, learners will understand not only the impact of icing on the NAS, but also the breadth and depth of collaborative work required to provide forecast product continuity and clear decision support services.
Description: This lesson introduces aviation forecasters to the impact of volcanic ash on aviation functions within the US National Airspace System (NAS) and how National Weather Service (NWS) programs coordinate the production of relevant aviation volcanic ash forecast products. In the lesson, learners will examine the roles of aviation forecasters at several key aviation program offices, including Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers, Weather Forecast Offices, Center Weather Service Units, and the Alaska Aviation Weather Unit (a Meteorological Watch Office). Learners will assess a real volcanic ash forecast situation from the 2019 Raikoke eruption, and apply their knowledge of observations and forecast tools to follow the volcanic ash forecast products through the communication chain. They will see how coordination occurs between relevant external program offices and understand the update process for ash products. By the end of the lesson, learners will understand not only the impact of volcanic ash on the NAS, but also the breadth and depth of collaborative work required to provide forecast product continuity and clear decision support services.
- Aviation Hazards: Low-level Wind Shear and Low-level Turbulence (available January 2024)
Recommended
DLAC 2: Producing Customer Focused TAFs
Course Title: Writing Effective TAFs
Description: This module provides an overview of some of the applicable TAF Amendment and Conditional Group usage rules, as presented in the latest version of the National Weather Service Instruction 10-813 on TAF directives. It also presents a methodology for TAF writing and development that will lead to an effective and user-friendly product. The focus is on the ceiling and visibility aspects of the TAF. This module is part of the Distance Learning Course 1: Forecasting Fog and Low Stratus.
Course Title: Writing TAFs for Convective Weather, 2nd Edition
Description: Writing TAFs for Convective Weather, 2nd Edition" uses a severe thunderstorm event to illustrate techniques for producing an effective Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) following current National Weather Service directives. The unit offers guidance for developing TAFs for different types of convection and discusses how to concisely communicate logic and uncertainty in an aviation forecast discussion (AvnFD) or by other means. It also addresses the importance of maintaining an effective TAF weather watch and updating the TAF proactively.
Description: Writing TAFs for Winds and Low-level Wind Shear" is the third unit in the Distance Learning Aviation Course 2 (DLAC2) series on producing TAFs that meet the needs of the aviation community. In addition to providing information about tools for diagnosing wind and wind impacts, the module extends the Practically Perfect TAF (PPTAF) process to address airport-specific criteria. By understanding the criteria at airports for which they produce TAFs, forecasters will be better able to produce a Practically Perfect Site-Specific TAF (PPSST). The unit also examines how to effectively communicate logic and uncertainty in an aviation forecast discussion (AvnFD) and addresses maintaining an effective TAF weather watch and updating the TAF proactively.
Description: Writing TAFs for Winter Weather'' is the fourth unit in the Distance Learning Aviation Course 2 (DLAC2) series on producing TAFs that meet the needs of the aviation community. In addition to providing information about tools for diagnosing winter weather and its related impacts, the module extends the Practically Perfect TAF (PPTAF) process to address an airport’s operational thresholds. By understanding the thresholds at airports for which they produce TAFs, forecasters will be better able to produce a PPTAF. The unit also examines how to communicate effectively the logic and uncertainty using the aviation forecast discussion (AvnFD) and addresses maintaining an effective TAF weather watch and updating the TAF proactively.
Course Title: Writing TAFs for Ceilings and Visibility
Description: Writing TAFs for Ceilings and Visibility" is the fifth unit in the Distance Learning Aviation Course 2 (DLAC2) series on producing TAFs that meet the needs of the aviation community. In addition to providing information about tools for diagnosing low ceilings and reduced in visibility and its related impacts, the module extends the Practically Perfect TAF (PPTAF) process to address an airport's operational thresholds. By understanding the thresholds at airports for which they produce TAFs, forecasters will be better able to produce a PPTAF. The unit also examines how to communicate effectively the logic and uncertainty using the aviation forecast discussion (AvnFD) and addresses maintaining an effective TAF weather watch and updating the TAF proactively.
Description: In the lesson, learners will assume the role of a weather forecaster and practice communicating forecast products and information to a variety of external users and key aviation program offices, including National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office (WFO), Center Weather Service Units (CWSU), and the Aviation Weather Center (AWC). The learner will start the lesson by identifying communication best practices with internal NWS aviation program offices and with a variety of external users. Then, the learner will apply these skills in two case studies by ensuring product continuity and practicing effective communication skills for different user needs and thresholds. Throughout the lesson, the learner will need to identify and construct effective messaging which is in line with Decision Support Service practices.
Course Title: Impact of Weather on Air Traffic Management
Description: This module focuses on the National Airspace System (NAS) and how weather affects it. It describes the various components of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), how that organization manages air traffic, and how CWSU and WFO forecasts help the FAA's decision-making process. The module also provides tips on establishing a good professional relationship with this important partner (FAA), understanding their language, and preparing weather briefings that will give them the information they need. This module is part of a larger exercise to develop a station Weather Impacts Playbook, a supplement to the Station Duty Manual.
Course Title: Weather Decision Support for the National Airspace System
Description: This three-hour lesson describes the impacts of weather on aviation operations and highlights the role of the National Weather Service (NWS) in supporting the Federal Aviation Administration's air traffic management organization. The lesson contains an Introduction (40 min), several cases (10-20 min each) focused on various weather phenomena, and a detailed case (35 min) allowing forecasters to follow the planning for and evolution of an event. The content emphasizes best practices for aviation forecasters, including identifying and communicating the threat, understanding partners' needs, and anticipating the impacts to airspace operations.
Course Title: Fog: Its Processes and Impacts to Aviation and Aviation Forecasting
Description: This module first introduces forecasters to aviation-forecast customers and their needs, and discusses how fog impacts aviation operations. The main content of the module then explains the physical processes and life cycle of radiation and advection fog, including their preconditioning environment, initiation, growth, and dissipation. The processes covered in the module include radiation (both solar and longwave), soil-atmosphere thermal interactions, turbulent mixing, the roles of condensation nuclei, and droplet settling. Each section of the module includes a set of interactive questions based on the information presented. The module concludes with a discussion of the physical processes and life-cycles of terrain-induced and pre- and post- frontal fog.
