AF 747 hit severe weather between Rio and Paris

[safetypee]

Thank you DOVES.
The ‘knowing’ (not the best of terms), might represent your trust in the dispatch information; not the dispatcher, it’s the information. Weather will change, ATC will reroute, etc, expect them; this will require adaptable, flexible thought in managing the flight – your process - thinking.

SOP points – agreed; but SOPs are generally constraining – or more often pilots use them to constrain their thoughts. SOPs need not necessarily achieve a higher level of safety, but equivalency particularly where there is a choice, and where an SOP might not fit a situation as you see it; but most importantly you have to perceive the real situation, not just ‘know it’ based on dated information.

The 6 month check has no relation to how safe your next flight will be, nor will the FCOM restriction, particularly if the CB is not in sight – forecast yes, but 30 nm away; (was the CB over the airfield in this incident) – and how might ‘over the field’ be interpreted.