Yes use VOLMET when required.
The variability of the wind direction gets to me, especially when the wind strength is only 2 kts or so!
But perhaps a better question is should we HAVE to be using such an antiquated system to get essential weather information?
The world seems to have a surfeit of brilliant technology now but aviation has a lot of catching up to do!
As has been previously said on this thread, in the current ATC environment throughout many parts now and the fact that most a/c are "two crew", both pilots should really be on ATC at all times and it seems to be at the more critical times that we have to be "off watch" attempting to copy the garbled ATIS.
Even the £50 radio in my car can be set to receive traffic alerts when I want them!
Last edited by fireflybob; 24th November 2008 at 13:03.