General Aviation Joint Steering Committee
Personal Minimums & Weather Cams
Outreach Guidance & Notes Document
2022/03-17-253(I)PP
This outreach guidance is provided to all FAA and aviation industry groups that are participating in outreach efforts sponsored by the General Aviation Joint Steering Committee (GAJSC). It is important that all outreach on a given topic is coordinated and is free of conflicts. Therefore, all outreach products should be in alignment with the outline and concepts listed below for this topic.
Outreach Month: August 2023
Topic: Personal Minimums & Weather Cams
The FAA and industry will conduct a public education campaign emphasizing the best practices associated with establishing personal minimums and with periodic review and adjustment of those minimums with a Flight Instructor. The FAA will also alert General Aviation Pilots to the availability of Weather Cameras at select locations and will emphasize the
Background:
The General Aviation Joint Steering Committee (GAJSC) has studied a number of General Aviation accidents that might not have occurred had the pilots been better informed as to the weather conditions present along their route. A significant number of those accidents occurred in sparsely populated, mountainous areas where weather information has not been available. Recently FAA has funded the installation of weather observation camera sites that cover areas where weather information has not been available. The committee has made weather camera availability and use the subject of a General Aviation Safety Enhancement.
Teaching Points:
- General aviation accidents have resulted from loss of control and controlled flight into terrain while flying in areas where weather information is largely unavailable.
- Near real time weather information, especially in mountainous areas is not commonly available but camera views of those locations can greatly aid pilots in determining whether there are sufficient ceiling and visibility to support safe flight.
- Pilots should be made aware of the presence of weather cameras and they should be instructed in their use.
- In consultation with a flight instructor, Pilots should develop a set of personal weather minimums and periodically review and revise that reflect to reflect personal capabilities.
References:
