General Aviation Weather Encounter Case Studies

John M Lanicci, Massoud Bazargan, Daniel Halperin, Scott Shappell, Jaclyn Baron, Rebecca Iden, Carla Hackworth, Kali Holcomb

Research output: Book/ReportBook

Abstract

This study presents a compilation of 24 cases involving general aviation (GA) pilots’ weather encounters over the continental U.S. The project team interviewed pilots who had experienced a weather encounter, and we examined their backgrounds, flight experience, and weather encounter details. Results from meteorological data analysis for each weather encounter were consistent with findings of larger GA weather accident studies in terms of the types of hazards encountered and flight phase during which the encounters occurred. Investigation of pilot weather products and the sources from which they were obtained revealed a lack of uniformity of pre-flight data sources and underutilization of available en route flight information services. The team used these results to develop a set of pilot weather education and training recommendations intended to reduce the number and severity of weather encounters.

Original languageAmerican English
Place of PublicationWashington, DC 20591
StatePublished - Sep 1 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • General Aviation Pilots
  • Weather Encounter
  • Weather Hazard
  • Weather Product
  • Education and Training

Disciplines

  • Aviation
  • Meteorology
  • Science and Mathematics Education

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