IR.I.B — Weather Information

Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with obtaining, understanding, and applying weather information for a flight under IFR.

Knowledge

The applicant demonstrates understanding of:

• IR.I.B.K1Sources of weather data (e.g., National Weather Service, Flight Service) for flight planning purposes.
• IR.I.B.K2Acceptable weather products and resources utilized for preflight planning, current and forecast weather for departure and en route operations and arrival phases of flight.
• IR.I.B.K3Meteorology applicable to the departure, en route, alternate, and destination for flights conducted under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) to include expected climate and hazardous conditions such as:
  • IR.I.B.K3aa. Atmospheric composition and stability
  • IR.I.B.K3bb. Wind (e.g., crosswind, tailwind, windshear, mountain wave, etc.)
  • IR.I.B.K3cc. Temperature
  • IR.I.B.K3dd. Moisture/precipitation
  • IR.I.B.K3ee. Weather system formation, including air masses and fronts
  • IR.I.B.K3ff. Clouds
  • IR.I.B.K3gg. Turbulence
  • IR.I.B.K3hh. Thunderstorms and microbursts
  • IR.I.B.K3ii. Icing and freezing level information
  • IR.I.B.K3jj. Fog/mist
  • IR.I.B.K3kk. Frost
  • IR.I.B.K3ll. Obstructions to visibility (e.g., smoke, haze, volcanic ash, etc.)
• IR.I.B.K4Flight deck displays of digital weather and aeronautical information.

Risk Management

The applicant demonstrates the ability to identify, assess and mitigate risks, encompassing:

• IR.I.B.R1Factors involved in making the go/no-go and continue/divert decisions, to include:
  • IR.I.B.R1aa. Circumstances that would make diversion prudent
  • IR.I.B.R1bb. Personal Weather Minimums
  • IR.I.B.R1cc. Hazardous weather conditions to include known or forecast icing or turbulence aloft
• IR.I.B.R2Limitations of:
  • IR.I.B.R2aa. Onboard weather equipment
  • IR.I.B.R2bb. Aviation weather reports and forecasts
  • IR.I.B.R2cc. Inflight weather resources

Skills

The applicant demonstrates the ability to:

• IR.I.B.S1Use available aviation weather resources to obtain an adequate weather briefing.
• IR.I.B.S2Analyze the implications of at least three of the conditions listed in K3a through K3l above, using actual weather or weather conditions in a scenario provided by the evaluator.
• IR.I.B.S3Correlate weather information to make a competent go/no-go decision.
• IR.I.B.S4Determine whether an alternate airport is required, and, if required, whether the selected alternate airport meets regulatory requirements.