OPNAVINST 3710.7 Restrictions

METEOROLOGY FLIGHT PLANNING

CHAPTER THREE

OPNAVINST 3710.7 Restrictions

The OPNAVINST 3710.7 Series restrictions for USN/USMC aircraft regarding WWs is listed as

follows:

Except for operational necessity, emergencies, flights involving all-weather research projects or

weather reconnaissance, pilots shall not file into or through areas the National Weather Service

(NWS) has issued a WW unless one of the following exceptions applies:

Storm development has not progressed as forecast for the planned route. In such situations:

a. VFR filing is permitted if existing and forecast weather for the route permits such

flights.

b. IFR flight may be permitted if aircraft radar is installed and operative, thus permitting

detection and avoidance of isolated thunderstorms.

c. IFR flight is permissible in positive control areas if visual meteorological conditions

(VMC) can be maintained, thus enabling aircraft to detect and avoid isolated thunderstorms.

2. Performance characteristics of the aircraft permit an en route flight altitude above existing or

developing severe storms.

NOTES:

1. It is not the intent to restrict flights within the areas

encompassed by or adjacent to a WW area unless storms have

actually developed as forecast.

2. Only a qualified forecaster can make the determination as to

whether storm development has progressed as forecast.

CNATRA WW (CAWW)

The Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) may also issue warnings in the form of a CNATRA

Aviation Weather Warning (CAWW) for the local operating areas in the absence of WWs and/or

SIGMETs and when conditions warrant such action. These warnings will be issued when one or

more of the following criteria have been reported, detected by radar, or are imminently expected

within 100 miles of the station and WW coverage is inadequate or nonexistent:

Embedded thunderstorms

Severe thunderstorms

Tornadoes

SEVERE WEATHER WATCHES, MILITARY ADVISORIES, AND PIREPS

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