Responsibility for the Brief

CHAPTER FOUR

METEOROLOGY FLIGHT PLANNING

Responsibility for the Brief

The ultimate responsibility for obtaining a complete weather briefing rests with the pilot in

command. A forecaster will usually be present to provide the weather briefing, but this in no

way relieves the pilot of the responsibility for the safe conduct of the flight. A recommended

procedure for the professional pilot is to review pertinent weather information to build an overall

picture of the weather and consult with the forecaster for a complete briefing. A pilot using this

technique can communicate with the forecaster on a two-way basis rather than relying on the

forecaster to provide all the relevant information. In case conditions do not develop as forecast, a

pilot will then be able to make an intelligent decision based on information gained during the

preflight weather briefing. Upon completion of this unit, it is recommended that you visit your

local meteorological office to get a feel for how it operates and how the staff displays weather

information or otherwise makes data available to aviators.

4-14 FLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING FORM, DD FORM 175-1