Using a Virtual Environment as an Innovative Way for Experiencing Aviation Meteorology

Virtual Reality (VR) is a rapidly up and coming technology with many utilities, most of which are centered around gaming or experiences. In October 2022, an example of an immersive and educational VR experience created by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was presented to the Aviation Weather Center (AWC). The FAA Weather in the Cockpit (WTIC) room is a virtual space created and maintained by aviation professors and students at Western Michigan University in collaboration with the FAA. This innovative idea prompted the AWC to explore VR and make a room of our own featuring everything aviation weather related. With collaboration and tips from the WTIC room creators and the FAA, AWC’s new VR space was created between November and February 2023. Visitors to the AWC virtual space can also visit the WTIC room to expand their exploration into the world of aviation. The AWC virtual space is an innovative and creative outreach tool geared toward showcasing aviation weather hazards while providing safety information. This benefits not only the aviation community but also visitors curious about how weather affects day to day National Airspace System (NAS) operation. People are invited to experience the virtual room through an immersive VR headset, or they can simply use a computer or mobile device with no VR equipment. This presentation will include a live demonstration for attendees in person as well as inviting people virtually to see what the virtual space has to offer through the provided link.