Responding to FAA requirements, an automated 0-1 h thunderstorm product, called the Tactical Convective Hazard Product (TCHP), has been created for air traffic managers. The TCHP combines the automated output of the National Convective Weather Forecast (NCWF) with a graphical presentation of the Convective SIGMET and an experimental display of thunderstorm-impacted jet routes.

This new product was made available to FAA air traffic managers via a password-protected website for evaluation during the convective season of 2003. The Traffic Management Unit (TMU) staff at the Fort Worth Air Route Traffic Control Center was trained on the content and presentation of the TCHP and asked to view the product during convective episodes. Each TMU Specialist was then asked to respond to a questionnaire seeking feedback on the content, presentation, and utility of the TCHP application to tactical air traffic decision-making.

The TCHP will be described, and results of the evaluation will be discussed. TMU Specialists generally agreed that the graphical presentation is useful, however issues were raised regarding the quality control and dependability of the automated product at this point in development.