Live and Recorded Aviation Weather Classes
Are you looking for a more structured approach to aviation weather training? If so, you should plan to attend one or more live classes by AvWxTraining. Each class is taught by CFI & former NWS meteorologist, Dr. Scott Dennstaedt.
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At AvWxTraining, we use Google Meet for all of our live classes. Every class will have time reserved at the end for the attendees to ask questions. Each class will be recorded and a link to the recording and a PDF of the slides will be provided within 36 hours. Therefore, it is not mandatory that you attend each live class to get the most from the course.
Advanced Weather Essentials for Pilots
This 10-week class will be held on Monday nights at 8 pm eastern time beginning January 13, 2025 (there will not be class on February 17th) with the last class on Monday, March 24, 2025. Each class will be 50 to 60 minutes long. It has been designed to take you beyond the basics with a focus on the entire briefing process with emphasis on how to integrate all of the available weather guidance to minimize your exposure to adverse weather. Three of the ten classes will consist of a mock route using live weather. ​
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If you cannot attend live, each class will be recorded and be made available within 36 hours.
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​Syllabus includes -
- Class 1 - Review of weather forecasts and observations
- Class 2 - Elements of the big picture weather
- Class 3 - Constant pressure charts (Part 1)
- Class 4 - Constant pressure charts (Part 2)
- Class 5 - Icing guidance
- Class 6 - Thunderstorm guidance
- Class 7 - Turbulence guidance
- Class 8 - Extended-range flight planning scenario
- Class 9 - Short-range flight planning scenario
- Class 10 - NOWcast flight planning scenario
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Note that this syllabus is preliminary and is subject to change. Although not mandatory, it is recommended to have already taken the Weather Essentials for Pilots class that is available for purchase below.
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Seating for this live class is limited, so register today!
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Skew-T Weather Essentials
This class is less about learning how to use the Skew-T log (p) diagram and more about learning the fundamental principles and building blocks of aviation meteorology. The tool makes for a great canvas or backdrop to teach you about what causes the formation of clouds, fog, airframe icing, turbulence, and thunderstorms, just to name a few. In other words, you need to understand these basic principles of weather first, before mastering how to interpret the Skew-T log (p) diagram for your preflight weather planning and analysis. ​
​In a nutshell, this 12-week course is specifically directed at certificated private/commercial pilots, flight instructors and designated pilot examiners that want to really learn the science and application of the Skew-T log (p) diagram. It is appropriate for pilots with and without an instrument rating. Putting it succinctly, this is meant to be a slight notch above the intermediate level. For most students attending this 12-week course, 20% of the material will be a review of basic aviation weather concept and the other 80% will be new or untaught material to focus on those gaps in knowledge that most certificated pilots possess.
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Syllabus includes -
- Introduction to the Skew-T diagram and radiosonde observations
- Fundamental properties
- The base diagram
- Lapse rates & buoyancy
- Mixing ratio, wind & inversions
- Parcel theory
- Stability indices (Part 1)
- Stability indices (Part 2)
- Cloud bases & tops
- Airframe icing (Part 1)
- Airframe icing (Part 2)
- Turbulence​​
Weather Essentials for Pilots
The syllabus for Weather Essentials for Pilots isn't designed to overwhelm you with a ton of advanced meteorology concepts. At the other extreme, don't expect the class to be a bunch of lessons on how to decode a raw METAR, TAF or PIREP. Moreover, it is not meant to teach you how to use the EZWxBrief progressive web app, nor will you learn how to read a Skew-T log (p) diagram. Instead, the bulk of the lessons are product-centric and will focus on building the necessary foundation to get the most from the weather guidance that all pilots should be using to make more confident decisions prior to closing the door on the cockpit to depart.​​​​
​In a nutshell, this 12-week course is specifically directed at certificated private/commercial pilots, flight instructors and designated pilot examiners who feel their aviation weather knowledge is significantly lacking. Putting it succinctly, this is meant to be a slight notch above a beginner level. For most students attending this twelve week course, 20% of the material will be a review of basic aviation weather topics and the other 80% will be new or untaught material to focus on those gaps in knowledge that most certificated pilots possess.
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Syllabus includes -
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- Surface observations
- Pilot weather reports
- Ground-based radar
- Graphical AIRMETs (G-AIRMETs)
- SIGMETs
- Center Weather Advisories (CWAs)
- Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAFs)
- Area Forecast Discussions (AFDs)
- Surface analyses and prog charts
- Quantitative Precipitation Forecasts (QPF)
- Probability of precipitation (PoP)
- Convective outlooks from the Storm Prediction Center (SPC)
-Forecast radar
- Forecast echo top heights
- Probabilistic thunderstorm forecasts
- Model Output Statistics (MOS)
- Current and Forecast Icing Products (CIP/FIP)
- Graphical Turbulence Guidance (GTG) Product
...and more.​​