In 2023, COMET, in partnership with National Weather Service (NWS), FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and various commercial and general aviation experts, completed development of a new eleven-lesson Distance Learning Aviation Course (DLAC). This self-guided, interactive course constitutes a set of fundamental aviation forecasting and decision coordination concepts critical to supporting the national airspace system. The course introduces forecasters to the general infrastructure, roles, and responsibilities of NWS aviation programs as well as the needs of external stakeholders including the FAA, commercial airlines and general aviation. It also overviews key aviation observations, analysis, and forecast tools, as well as critical products such as the Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF), all of which are essential for a majority of aviation forecasting tasks. Lastly, forecasters must understand the importance and impacts of six key aviation weather hazards, how to generally forecast those elements, and how to coordinate forecast information for decision making surrounding those hazards. The six hazards include thunderstorms, volcanic ash, turbulence, low level wind shear, icing, and low ceilings and visibility. These final six lessons of the series place the learner in role-playing scenarios in which they must accurately create or update a relevant aviation forecast product and effectively collaborate with partners for decision support coordination. These lessons are appropriate not only for NWS employees but for anyone wanting to know more about NWS aviation services and forecasting for aviation concerns.
- Indicates paper has been withdrawn from meeting
- Indicates an Award Winner