weather, what info?
 

hiya,

is there any websites out there that can give you a good idea on what the weather forecast is going to be that may be suitable for flying?

just starting all my lessons, and i want to keep tabs on the weather, i tried the BBC website, but it didn't really cover the Glenrothes area.

I tried using the search function, but i got 50+ pages on searching the word weather lol.

Go to www.met-office.gov.uk and hit the Aviation section. You can register and get METARs TAFs and Forms 214 and 215.

There are loads of resources but for starters, I'd register with theMet Office aviation site and get your TAFs & Metars from there.

Or just look out the window at the pouring rain :{

[Edit] ToryBoy - just too quick for me!

If you want a "spot check" on an area try www.weatherpixie.com

It's actually very accurate and if you look at Edinburgh (20 miles to your South) you will be able to get a good idea of whats happening.

P.S Make sure you select the blonde weatherpixie cos she's hot!

(God I'm sad)

Also worth bearing in mind the excellent info available from the automated weather station at Perth, which is available via the Web and on a WAP phone. I suppose I should add the caveat that this is not to be used for flight planning purposes, but may give you a reasonable indication of whether it's even worth travelling to the airfield.

Good luck at Fife - long may your wings hang over the edge of the runway and good luck on learning how to do a straight approach!! ;)

I like this site as it has quick access to METAR's & TAF's and I find the METAR history very useful in assessing a TAF for accuracy.

http://www.phd.nl/aviation/wx/

I also use www.weather.co.uk for looking ahead a couple of days.

FIS.

The Dutch site is excellent, but be wary of the dates on some TAF's and METAR's!!

I also use the DIALMET service in the Get Met 2004 book (available FREE from the CAA!) and listen to Volmet (also known as the Vomit in the DOC.400 household because it often makes me sick.... ;) )on 135.37 or 128.6.

DOC

I also use http://www.xcweather.co.uk/ to double check wind conditions.

You can set the defaults up for knots, degrees mag etc. and hover the mouse over individual wind arrows to view METAR details.

RC

For me, essential websites

weather:

Avbrief http://www.avbrief.com - well worth paying for the data there

GFS http://www.arl.noaa.gov/ready/cmet.html - under "WMO code" enter the airfield ICAO code (small airfields not supported), click on Continue then choose e.g. the 0-84hr GSF model, etc.

Notams

AIS http://www.ais.org.uk

There's a load of other weather sites e.g.

http://www.sat.dundee.ac.uk/

Have just checked out www.xcweather.co.uk and it's great. Nice to be able to see the weather history as it enables you to build up an idea of whether things are improving or not.

Nice one rotorcraig:ok:

As you are starting out, methinks you best stick to http://www.metoffice.com/aviation/ and get used to using the "free to registered users" services as this is what the PPL exam will be based on. Start using the more user friendly sites like www.avbrief.co.uk once you are over that minor hurdle.

Also, check out the flying press for free booklets called "Get Met" (can also be downloaded in PDF form from the Met Office site). This is a handy pocket guide to aviation met.

Just my 2 Monglolian tögrög worth :)

This is my favourite site after Met office.

Weather

The link takes you to South England, but you can alter the settings to your own preferences.

It will run simulations up to 3 days in advance and is quite accurate.

Kolibear

That's an interesting site - I wonder where their data comes from.