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#1
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Tstorm avoidance
I have a fairly new IFR rating and am wondering how much help to
expect from ATC on Tstorm avoidance. Will they suggest re-routing or do you have to request it based on visual, FSS, or stormscope location? |
#2
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"PaulH" wrote in message
om... I have a fairly new IFR rating and am wondering how much help to expect from ATC on Tstorm avoidance. Will they suggest re-routing or do you have to request it based on visual, FSS, or stormscope location? Varies day to day, but you should not _expect_ TS avoidance. First, ATC has limited equipment to see TS's. Second, their first responsibility is terrain and traffic separation - your avoidance of storms is definitely a secondary concern (same goes for icing, by the way). You can always request rerouting, or just a simple diversion ("Center, 6RP would like 10 degrees right for 10 minutes for weather", or something like that.) You are rarely denied either if weather is unsafe. But ultimately it is your call, and you should expect to have to cancel IFR at some point to have the freedom to avoid weather. Of course, if you are in IMC, you can declare an emergency if weather constraints absolutely require it. I have done this in icing conditions. There have been many debates over whether you will get in trouble for doing this on this newsgroup. My experience was that, other than showing concern for my safe passage through the weather, ATC had no other issues with the emergency declaration. |
#3
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You cannot expect thunderstorm avoidance from ATC. IT IS YOUR
RESPONSIBILITY. How much help depends on the individual controller. Having some weather equipment is a great help. A strike finder or equivalent is your best first line of defense. They are best a giving azimuth not usually great on range. A strong storm far away will appear closer than it it is. Good situational awareness of current position and direction and weather location and direction are your best line of defense. Michelle Michael 182 wrote: "PaulH" wrote in message . com... I have a fairly new IFR rating and am wondering how much help to expect from ATC on Tstorm avoidance. Will they suggest re-routing or do you have to request it based on visual, FSS, or stormscope location? Varies day to day, but you should not _expect_ TS avoidance. First, ATC has limited equipment to see TS's. Second, their first responsibility is terrain and traffic separation - your avoidance of storms is definitely a secondary concern (same goes for icing, by the way). You can always request rerouting, or just a simple diversion ("Center, 6RP would like 10 degrees right for 10 minutes for weather", or something like that.) You are rarely denied either if weather is unsafe. But ultimately it is your call, and you should expect to have to cancel IFR at some point to have the freedom to avoid weather. Of course, if you are in IMC, you can declare an emergency if weather constraints absolutely require it. I have done this in icing conditions. There have been many debates over whether you will get in trouble for doing this on this newsgroup. My experience was that, other than showing concern for my safe passage through the weather, ATC had no other issues with the emergency declaration. -- Michelle P ATP-ASEL, CP-AMEL, and AMT-A&P "Elisabeth" a Maule M-7-235B (no two are alike) Volunteer Pilot, Angel Flight Mid-Atlantic Volunteer Builder, Habitat for Humanity |
#4
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Michelle P ) wrote:
. Having some weather equipment is a great help. And don't forget the excellent resources at Flight Watch or Flight Service (if flying in the US). Within minutes of leveling off, I am in the habit of contacting Flight Watch/Service for updates on all cell activity that may impact my route and for recommended deviations. Back on ATC frequency, I note deviation requests of other aircraft who have onboard radar and to ATC reroute clearances. This is also helpful in understanding where the current weather is. If the frequency is not too busy, I ask ATC if aircraft ahead of me are deviating. -- Peter ----== Posted via Newsfeed.Com - Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==---- http://www.newsfeed.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 100,000 Newsgroups ---= 19 East/West-Coast Specialized Servers - Total Privacy via Encryption =--- |
#5
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"Michelle P" wrote in message link.net... A strike finder or equivalent is your best first line of defense. They are best a giving azimuth not usually great on range. Yes...it detects "intensity", not range. If anything, it's "range" is more a metaphor. A strong storm far away will appear closer than it it is. And this is very much a "good thing". |
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#7
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#8
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"PaulH" wrote:
I have a fairly new IFR rating and am wondering how much help to expect from ATC on Tstorm avoidance. It is not something you can rely upon. Their equipment is not designed for it and it and individual controllers vary widely in their ability and inclination to help you. Be especially wary in or near Class B airspace - they have a lot of aircraft to separate and your t'storm problems may be way down on their priority list. Will they suggest re-routing or do you have to request it based on visual, FSS, or stormscope location? Get some weather display gear in your airplane and *tell* ATC where you need to go. If you are going to fly IFR when there are many CBs about, this is a must. The best thunderstorm avoidance tool is see-and-avoid, but if you can't see them with your eyes because you're in IMC, you'd better have a gizmo that can see them for you. -- Dan C172RG at BFM |
#9
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"Michael" wrote in message om... Face it - if you're going to fly IMC when there are T-storms around, you need some sort of weather avoidance gear. Relying on ATC is not a realistic option. It's not an option PERIOD. I shudder to think Michael is in the same skies as myself the rest of us. |
#10
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On Wed, 2 Jun 2004 22:52:16 -0700, "Tom Sixkiller"
wrote: "Michael" wrote in message . com... Face it - if you're going to fly IMC when there are T-storms around, you need some sort of weather avoidance gear. Relying on ATC is not a realistic option. It's not an option PERIOD. I shudder to think Michael is in the same skies as myself the rest of us. Why? Michael flies a Twin Comanche equipped with Stormscope. Seems like a pretty capable setup for dodging tstorms. |
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