Other than navigation and the airworthiness of your plane, it’s the weather that will determine whether you have a successful flight or not. When you’re flying, weather will affect everything you do and no amount of technical preparation can help you control what’s going to happen next. That is why you’ll have to consult a weather forecast before flying.
Why you should be wary of the weather
Weather changes and even with the very best instruments, it’s subject to many unpredictable things that occur when we least expect it. It would be very foolish indeed to try to fly an aircraft in the direction of gale-force winds. Not even the very best pilots can do that and neither should you. Even spiders try to read the weather before they throw out their webs to change locations. Why shouldn’t you?
Use your resources
Weather forecasts are provided by many local weather offices who regularly announce changes that should be cause for concern especially for pilots. Keep in touch with these sources whether on TV, the radio or on the internet. Your local air traffic control can also assist you in this area.
A weather forecast isn’t something you can ignore and forget about before you fly. The elements in the air are an integral part of your flight plan and you can’t leave the ground without it. Besides, it will be difficult for you to get clearance if the weather forecast isn’t good. Weather forecasters are also able to produce more accurate predictions of local weather because of newer technology, making it safer for many pilots to fly.
Don’t trust an old forecast.
Try to obtain the most current weather forecast you can find, preferably those that were made within 12 to 24 hours before your intended flight. These forecasts can be trusted for their accuracy. If what you have is a weather forecast made two to three days ago, that’s also pretty good – not as accurate, but can be a decent guide. However, if the weather forecast you’re using is 5 days old, you’d be better off not flying because accuracy is no longer reliable.
Also, when it comes to weather forecasting before a flight, the bigger picture isn’t always a good source. You’ll need details on air pressure, humidity and temperature, along with wind directions and speed in order for you to determine whether it’s safe to fly.