This paper addresses a set of interlocking issues that are important for successful operational utility of NEXTGEN weather information for dispatchers, air traffic controllers and Traffic Management Coordinators (TMC) and for improved decision collaboration and traffic management connectivity with pilots in the aircraft cockpit. Elements to be discussed include:

(1) How accurate, reliable, and usable is weather information used to make operational decisions in the face of weather that needs to be avoided for capacity/delay and safety of flight requirements;

(2) What are the issues associated with air traffic manager/controller training on the operational application of weather decision support technology and why conversely, it is important for meteorologists supporting ATM operations to also receive adequate “aviation” training; and

(3) “Weather messaging” and its importance to the operational business units of the FAA and to industry – why meteorological technical-speak (rather than demonstration of merits of new technology in the context of its operational applicability) can be a disservice that may obscure the value weather awareness could/should make to the National Airspace System (NAS).

These elements will be explored in the context of weather “avoidance” vs. “opportunity” operations and the relevance to weather impact translation research, the importance, on the ground, of “cockpit-perspective” air traffic decision-making, and the importance of the proliferation of ATM/pilot best practices and honed weather-impact mitigation decision models given the reliance on uncertain weather forecast tools for aggressive decisions to optimize weather-constrained capacity.