"Michael" wrote in message
ups.com...
Andrew Sarangan wrote:
....
Many FAA texts do not explain this point clearly. Since most
pilots get their meterology knowledge from FAA texts, and are not
formally educated on the subject, it is not surprising this confusion
exists.
....snipped...
I would bet you any money that if you took a survey of CFI's
most would not know this fact.

Sure, as long as you limit to power-only CFI's. ...

I have no doubt that this is absolutely correct.

Not being a soarer, but I expect he/she not only knows the "conditions" that
give rise to good thermal lift, but also the meteorological situations to
look for which are conducive.

Power pilots as a group seem less interested in the meteorological
situation. Give them the ceiling and visibility numbers from the TAF and
METAR and they go on that. Nobody seems to ask WHY does the TAF lower the
ceiling after 2100Z... If the ceiling should lower two hours early at 1900Z
instead of 2100Z, many are totally lost and simply consider this a "bad
forecast".