always see thunderstorms, use all available
resources to stay on top of the situation.
These include Flight Watch, various automated weather products, ATC radar, and
uplink weather capabilities.
An en route flight advisory service
(Flight Watch) is available across the
United States below the flight levels, and
generally at altitudes above 5,000 MSL
(and often lower), and is an excellent
source of up-to-date weather. Contact
Flight Watch on 122.0 MHz or listen to
other pilots on the frequency to get
updated observations, forecasts, and pilot
reports. When calling Flight Watch, give
your approximate location (e.g., near a
city, town, navaid, etc.) so the service
knows the transmitter through which to
contact you.
Other in-flight services can also be
tapped for intelligence regarding convec-
tive activity. The Hazardous In-flight
Weather Advisory Service (HIWAS) pro-
vides pre-recorded weather advisories
continuously transmitted over selected
VORs. Availability of HIWAS is indicated
by a solid colored square in the frequency
box for VORs on sectional charts. Tune in
to the frequency and turn up the volume
on the nav receiver. Broadcasts include
airmets, sigmets, convective sigmets, cen-
ter weather advisories, severe weather
forecast alerts, and urgent pilot
reports. ATIS and ASOS broad-
casts may also include
information concerning light-
ning and thunderstorm activity.
Slow the aircraft below maneuvering
speed . . . as flying fast in turbulent
conditions is a passport to peril.
has limits. The image displayed in the cockpit may be a few minutes old, and that can
make a difference when watching a fast-moving storm. However tempting, never use
uplink weather to pick your way between
cells, as this is a perfect way to get suckered
into a disastrous situation. Instead, use it to
avoid areas of thunderstorms completely.
