This course enhanced teaching / learning techniques for summer weather with the goal to reduce the number of accidents and incidents noting "summer weather elements" as a causal factor.
The objectives include providing flight instructors and all pilots with results of research studies that identified gaps in pilot weather knowledge and errors in pilot interpretation and use of weather products and information.
In addition, the presentation intends to inform flight instructors and students of the availability (current and future) of weather training materials and training aids funded by the FAA.
The expected outcomes of this course are:
Preflight Mental Model Experiment Briefing
WTIC Research Reports and Experiential Education Modules
PIREP Information from NTSB
https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/safety-alerts/Documents/SA_064.pdf
https://ntsb.gov/safety/safety-studies/Documents/SIR1702.pdf
Randy Bass – Randy.Bass@faa.gov
Jason Baker – Jason.M.Baker@faa.gov
Gary Pokodner – Gary.Pokodner@faa.gov
Jenny Colavito – Jenny.Colavito@faa.gov
Jason earned his B.S in Meteorology minoring in Forecasting and Broadcasting from Penn State in 2004. Jason then earned his commission as an Air Force Officer. In this role, he provided meteorological expertise to a forecast team that issued over 2,300 terminal aerodrome forecasts and nearly 1,100 watches, warnings, and advisories for the Southeastern US.
In 2007, Jason joined the NWS to provide weather products to senior-level air traffic controllers. In 2011, he moved to the program manager position for the Center Weather Service Units nationally.
In 2018, Jason joined the FAA's Aviation Weather Division. His primary duties are managing the FAA's Convective Weather Research Program, helping establish aviation weather requirements, and working to develop a globally consistent Hazardous Weather Information System.
Randy manages the Weather Research Branch in the FAA's Aviation Weather Division. He leads the Aviation Weather Research Program and the Weather Technology in the Cockpit program, overseeing budget and executing transition of successful ventures from research to operations. Before becoming manager, he led the Convective Weather Research Program, directing research and development projects to mitigate effects of thunderstorms on aviation and the National Airspace System.
Randy retired from the Air Force in 2008 after 20 years as a weather officer. During his career, he provided weather support to bases throughout the US and to a variety of aircraft. He deployed three times to the Middle East in support of various contingencies and spent almost half his career supporting the Intelligence Community.
Mr. Bass earned his Bachelor's Degree in Meteorology from North Carolina State University (1987) and a Master's Degree in Meteorology from Texas A&M University (1996).
FAA Ceiling and Visibility Project Lead
Ms. Colavito is technical lead for ceiling and visibility (C&V) research in the FAA, Aviation Weather Division. She holds a Bachelor's of Science in Aerospace Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. She has worked as an engineer and project manager for the FAA since January 2009. From 2009 – 2012 she led convective weather research and product development; from 2012 – 2015 she supported the Weather Integration into Air Traffic Management program; and from 2015 to present she led C&V research and product development.
Prior to joining the FAA, Jennifer worked for the U.S. Army in the process of airworthiness certifications for military helicopters.
Gary Pokodner is the Program Manager for the FAA's NextGen Weather Technology in the Cockpit (WTIC) Program. In this role, Gary has been working to identify new research efforts related to bringing weather information into the cockpit.
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