Hi Goldenrivett,
Concerning the weather radar, I think there is a misunderstanding. In my company , we take off with radar off when we know for sure the weather is sky clear. In dispatch we check the live satellite image ,the Taf etc... We know from experience especially in winter, we won't find any CBs. Of course now in summer time, no question asked radar is ON. And we only turn it off when we can see the horizon well clear. We only do short/medium flight, so all good!
And I do mistakes all the time, not ashamed of it, not hiding it, always happy to learn from it and from you guys.