A JAA pilot flying in the US
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A JAA pilot flying in the US
Hi all,
I'm off to the US in a couple of weeks to build some hours before my CPL. Although I did my initial flying there, I've long since forgotten the particularities of their airspace and radio services available. What would be the best way to review them?
Are there any books out there along the lines of "Flying in the USA - a JAA pilots guide."? Or perhaps websites where I could brush up on US air law and airspace regulations?
Finally, I know many posters often fly in the US or a based there, do you have any tips? I know 1-800 WXbrief is useful but any info along that line would be great.
Cheers,
O-8
I'm off to the US in a couple of weeks to build some hours before my CPL. Although I did my initial flying there, I've long since forgotten the particularities of their airspace and radio services available. What would be the best way to review them?
Are there any books out there along the lines of "Flying in the USA - a JAA pilots guide."? Or perhaps websites where I could brush up on US air law and airspace regulations?
Finally, I know many posters often fly in the US or a based there, do you have any tips? I know 1-800 WXbrief is useful but any info along that line would be great.
Cheers,
O-8
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Here and there. Here at the moment but soon I'll be there.
Posts: 758
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
An interesting read.
http://www.faa.gov/ATPubs/AIM/index.htm
Enjoy!
more here http://www.faa.gov/ATPubs/
http://www.faa.gov/ATPubs/AIM/index.htm
Enjoy!
more here http://www.faa.gov/ATPubs/
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: EuroGA.org
Posts: 13,787
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'd like to ask a related question.
What % of American private IR pilots actually use 1-800-WX-BRIEF as their main or only weather source?
I've got a feeling that the percentage is perhaps similar to how many European pilots use AIRMETs, VOLMETs, the UK Met Office faxback service, and some other stuff.
A picture is worth a thousand words, and I could never understand how one can work from a telephone conversation telling you that a cold front is moving into northern Utah or whatever. The phone service is actually very efficient; I just can't see how anybody can use it to get a decent picture - except in places like Arizona where it is CAVOK most days of the year, very obviously so when looking out of the window, and one just needs to get some sort of legal briefing.
I would go for a website (graphical) briefing every time.
The argument put to me for the phone option is that every airport has a telephone, but the battery in your GPRS laptop/PDA might be flat.
What am I missing?
What % of American private IR pilots actually use 1-800-WX-BRIEF as their main or only weather source?
I've got a feeling that the percentage is perhaps similar to how many European pilots use AIRMETs, VOLMETs, the UK Met Office faxback service, and some other stuff.
A picture is worth a thousand words, and I could never understand how one can work from a telephone conversation telling you that a cold front is moving into northern Utah or whatever. The phone service is actually very efficient; I just can't see how anybody can use it to get a decent picture - except in places like Arizona where it is CAVOK most days of the year, very obviously so when looking out of the window, and one just needs to get some sort of legal briefing.
I would go for a website (graphical) briefing every time.
The argument put to me for the phone option is that every airport has a telephone, but the battery in your GPRS laptop/PDA might be flat.
What am I missing?
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Here and there. Here at the moment but soon I'll be there.
Posts: 758
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Most of the airports I have flown from in the USA have FBOs who have internet equipped planning rooms which can be used free of charge. Having said that these have been mostly municipal airports.
1-800-WX-BRIEF is not just for the weather, but also NOTAMS, flight plans, ATC info etc. Pilots are encouraged to call before every flight and every flight leg.
I believe that the people at 1-800-WX-BRIEF use http://www.aviationweather.gov, but I could be wrong.
NOTAMS can be got here https://pilotweb.nas.faa.gov/distribution/atcscc.html and here http://www.faa.gov/NTAP/
1-800-WX-BRIEF is not just for the weather, but also NOTAMS, flight plans, ATC info etc. Pilots are encouraged to call before every flight and every flight leg.
I believe that the people at 1-800-WX-BRIEF use http://www.aviationweather.gov, but I could be wrong.
NOTAMS can be got here https://pilotweb.nas.faa.gov/distribution/atcscc.html and here http://www.faa.gov/NTAP/
Last edited by SkyHawk-N; 11th Mar 2006 at 18:38.
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Washington DC
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not relevant to regulations, but www.airnav.com contains all the info you need on all the airports in the US.
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: EuroGA.org
Posts: 13,787
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I did hear that there is a website into which you enter your route and which generates an exact replica of what the WX-BRIEF person reads out to you, but I never found it when I was over there.
It was the apparent acceptance of a lack of graphical data which intrigues me.
It was the apparent acceptance of a lack of graphical data which intrigues me.
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: essex
Posts: 412
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
[I][It was the apparent acceptance of a lack of graphical data which intrigues me/I]
Would I be correct in hazarding a guess that you have not flown in the USA in recent years ? If you have I wonder how you failed to spot the superb standardised online weather info that seems to be at every airport ?
Would I be correct in hazarding a guess that you have not flown in the USA in recent years ? If you have I wonder how you failed to spot the superb standardised online weather info that seems to be at every airport ?
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: EuroGA.org
Posts: 13,787
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I flew in the USA earlier this year when doing training there. The airfield didn't have what you appear to describe. However, I had my head down and didn't have time to mess about. However, if what you describe is standard then that answers my question.
The other half of the "problem" is that airport-based weather briefings aren't any good for real touring, because you have to get out of your hotel room and travel to the airport to check the weather (US$$$$ spent/wasted on the taxi/cab). So, I have not used any such facilities for years. Pilots that do longer trips like that have portable internet access and do it while still in the hotel or whatever, and in that context there is a huge gulf between the weather services promoted in the UK by the "official" bodies and what the more serious pilots actually use, and this led to my original question. I really don't believe that serious pilots in the USA get their briefings from either WX-BRIEF or from some facility at the tower, either.
The other half of the "problem" is that airport-based weather briefings aren't any good for real touring, because you have to get out of your hotel room and travel to the airport to check the weather (US$$$$ spent/wasted on the taxi/cab). So, I have not used any such facilities for years. Pilots that do longer trips like that have portable internet access and do it while still in the hotel or whatever, and in that context there is a huge gulf between the weather services promoted in the UK by the "official" bodies and what the more serious pilots actually use, and this led to my original question. I really don't believe that serious pilots in the USA get their briefings from either WX-BRIEF or from some facility at the tower, either.
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 1,040
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
IO540,
WX-Brief s used extensively in the US by pilots, as stated earllier its more than just a weather service despite the name. It provides a whole host of other information such as PIREPs, NOTAMS, any last minute airspace changes such as happened to me on my CPL test where the President decided to visit and we ended up going somewhere else - could have been an interesting interception!
They are of course useful for weather briefs as well as have access to all the info you want. Some of the bigger airports, such as McCarren Interntional, have terminals set up giving you access to weather services and satellite imagery which is very useful.
Julian.
WX-Brief s used extensively in the US by pilots, as stated earllier its more than just a weather service despite the name. It provides a whole host of other information such as PIREPs, NOTAMS, any last minute airspace changes such as happened to me on my CPL test where the President decided to visit and we ended up going somewhere else - could have been an interesting interception!
They are of course useful for weather briefs as well as have access to all the info you want. Some of the bigger airports, such as McCarren Interntional, have terminals set up giving you access to weather services and satellite imagery which is very useful.
Julian.
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: London, UK
Posts: 778
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
When I did my IR in the US with a collection of five US pilots they all used WX-BRIEF for every flight. The same raw information is available from www.duats.com as is the ability to file the flight plan. I used a mix. As you said, you want to be able to do your initial briefing from your hotel room; when I could I used duats, but if I couldn't get dial-up or wireless connectivity I would call WX BRIEF.
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: EuroGA.org
Posts: 13,787
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I did find that "notams" in the USA means something else to "notams" in Europe. A 800nm leg past Italy and Greece digs out about 200 non-functioning lights on Italian lamp-posts, and reams of Greek v. Turkish airspace dispute stuff further down.
I can really imagine the WX-BRIEF briefer reading out all that stuff Whereas a 300nm trip across a bit of the USA turned up just one temp restricted spot.
A telephone breifing would never work in Europe; too much dross, and weather services so disjointed few people use them.
I can really imagine the WX-BRIEF briefer reading out all that stuff Whereas a 300nm trip across a bit of the USA turned up just one temp restricted spot.
A telephone breifing would never work in Europe; too much dross, and weather services so disjointed few people use them.
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Ormond Beach
Age: 49
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I use AOPA's real-time flight planner with weather at www.aopa.org
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: San Diego, US
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have tried the phone briefing but also enrolled on the DTC DUAT which is online (www.duat.com). I like the fact that you can see some weather graphics although it is not as good as the system they have at our flying club. That one is a commercial product (cannot remember the name offhand) but is very good. Expensive also I suspect. To enroll on the online duat system you need a current FAA medical.
Life's too short for ironing
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Scotland, & Maryland, USA
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I don't know if I'd describe myself as a "serious pilot", as mentioned by IO540, but I'm a former UK airline pilot who now flies charter, ferry flights and anything else that comes my way here in the US. I usually use airnav for the preflight info, then call FSS (1-800 WX BRIEF) for a briefing while standing infront of an chart of the USA so I can follow the areas visually if possible. This has stood me in good stead so far, both flying locally, in the midwest and ferrying small aircraft from one side of the USA to the other.
If I know for sure there are no TFRs on my route, I might just use the computer, but otherwise, I like to talk to a briefer, so that we can both get confused by the TFR times and areas
To go back to the original question, 0-8, you might find this website useful too, or just a cure for insomnia.
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text...4/14tab_02.tpl
Depending on how soon you are coming over here, is it worth buying an FAR/AIM to glance through? The AIM does have some useful info in it. Have fun flying over here
If I know for sure there are no TFRs on my route, I might just use the computer, but otherwise, I like to talk to a briefer, so that we can both get confused by the TFR times and areas
To go back to the original question, 0-8, you might find this website useful too, or just a cure for insomnia.
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text...4/14tab_02.tpl
Depending on how soon you are coming over here, is it worth buying an FAR/AIM to glance through? The AIM does have some useful info in it. Have fun flying over here
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 1,040
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I did find that "notams" in the USA means something else to "notams" in Europe. A 800nm leg past Italy and Greece digs out about 200 non-functioning lights on Italian lamp-posts, and reams of Greek v. Turkish airspace dispute stuff further down.
I can really imagine the WX-BRIEF briefer reading out all that stuff
IO, yep you make a good point there - would drive them spare!!!
I can really imagine the WX-BRIEF briefer reading out all that stuff
IO, yep you make a good point there - would drive them spare!!!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for all the info and links, just what I was looking for.
I've already downloaded a copy of the FAA AIM but it's not what I would consider to be 'light reading' especially in electronic format.
I'm thinking of just getting a FAA PPL training manual of some sort. The only one I can find at the moment is - Rod Machado PPL Reference Manual. Anyone have any experience of it?
I've already downloaded a copy of the FAA AIM but it's not what I would consider to be 'light reading' especially in electronic format.
I'm thinking of just getting a FAA PPL training manual of some sort. The only one I can find at the moment is - Rod Machado PPL Reference Manual. Anyone have any experience of it?
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 1,040
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
0-8,
Get the Jeppesen manuals, they are well laid out with plenty of pics to explain the text if something doesnt sink in first pass!
On the downside they are a bit pricey but have used them for each of my FAA licences and would recommend them. Transair do them in this country if I remember rightly.
Julian.
Get the Jeppesen manuals, they are well laid out with plenty of pics to explain the text if something doesnt sink in first pass!
On the downside they are a bit pricey but have used them for each of my FAA licences and would recommend them. Transair do them in this country if I remember rightly.
Julian.
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: London, UK
Posts: 778
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you're only flying VFR this will do the job; it's cheap and thin:
http://www.transair.co.uk/product4.a...Product_ID=705
http://www.transair.co.uk/product4.a...Product_ID=705
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: He's on the limb to nowhere
Posts: 1,981
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
0-8,
Get a BFR book, will be a lot easier than trawling through the FAR/AIM as a primary reference. Use the FAR/AIM to cross reference what the BFR book tells you.
Also get a duats log in and mess around on there, it's what most people use, and available wherever you have an internet connection. People who claim that an airport doesn't have a PC and dial up available to pilots probably haven't looked hard enough. http://adds.aviationweather.noaa.gov/ is good too. Learn to use 1-800-WX BRIEF as the people on the other end of the line have experience in interpreting the weather which you might find useful. I use them a lot for the route briefings as they will give you all relevent info for a route in a minute or two. Work out how to do that. They are also useful for finding out the true weather when the airlines are BSing you for flight delays When activating flight plans over the radio with FSS ask for NOTAMS and updated weather, they are very helpful.
Just remembered another good reference, the Airguide VFR Flight Guide (The Perfect Companion to your GPS, lol should get the BS flowing). Get the one for the area you are going to as it's got great airport information, plus there are a lot of pages which deal with the basic FAR/AIM stuff you are asking for. Also got lots of other practical information. If you know the BFR guide, and know the stuff in the Airguide, you will know enough. That Radio book drauk mentioned has 88 pages, if it's dealing with VFR radio procedures it must have very large writing
Get a BFR book, will be a lot easier than trawling through the FAR/AIM as a primary reference. Use the FAR/AIM to cross reference what the BFR book tells you.
Also get a duats log in and mess around on there, it's what most people use, and available wherever you have an internet connection. People who claim that an airport doesn't have a PC and dial up available to pilots probably haven't looked hard enough. http://adds.aviationweather.noaa.gov/ is good too. Learn to use 1-800-WX BRIEF as the people on the other end of the line have experience in interpreting the weather which you might find useful. I use them a lot for the route briefings as they will give you all relevent info for a route in a minute or two. Work out how to do that. They are also useful for finding out the true weather when the airlines are BSing you for flight delays When activating flight plans over the radio with FSS ask for NOTAMS and updated weather, they are very helpful.
Just remembered another good reference, the Airguide VFR Flight Guide (The Perfect Companion to your GPS, lol should get the BS flowing). Get the one for the area you are going to as it's got great airport information, plus there are a lot of pages which deal with the basic FAR/AIM stuff you are asking for. Also got lots of other practical information. If you know the BFR guide, and know the stuff in the Airguide, you will know enough. That Radio book drauk mentioned has 88 pages, if it's dealing with VFR radio procedures it must have very large writing
Last edited by slim_slag; 13th Mar 2006 at 09:15.
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: KHIO - Portland, Oregon. USA
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by IO540
I flew in the USA earlier this year when doing training there. The airfield didn't have what you appear to describe. However, I had my head down and didn't have time to mess about. However, if what you describe is standard then that answers my question.
The other half of the "problem" is that airport-based weather briefings aren't any good for real touring, because you have to get out of your hotel room and travel to the airport to check the weather (US$$$$ spent/wasted on the taxi/cab). So, I have not used any such facilities for years. Pilots that do longer trips like that have portable internet access and do it while still in the hotel or whatever, and in that context there is a huge gulf between the weather services promoted in the UK by the "official" bodies and what the more serious pilots actually use, and this led to my original question. I really don't believe that serious pilots in the USA get their briefings from either WX-BRIEF or from some facility at the tower, either.
The other half of the "problem" is that airport-based weather briefings aren't any good for real touring, because you have to get out of your hotel room and travel to the airport to check the weather (US$$$$ spent/wasted on the taxi/cab). So, I have not used any such facilities for years. Pilots that do longer trips like that have portable internet access and do it while still in the hotel or whatever, and in that context there is a huge gulf between the weather services promoted in the UK by the "official" bodies and what the more serious pilots actually use, and this led to my original question. I really don't believe that serious pilots in the USA get their briefings from either WX-BRIEF or from some facility at the tower, either.
- Tim