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37. FAA Enhanced Winter Weather Training with Dr. Ian Johnson and Danny Sims — October 2020
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Presentation Topic

FAA Enhanced Winter Weather Training

This presentation strives to enhance teaching strategies with the goal of reducing the number of accidents and incidents related to adverse winter weather. Using winter weather scenarios, participants will learn the gaps in pilot weather knowledge and their interpretation and use of weather information. In addition, the scenarios will highlight the availability of winter-weather training materials funded by the FAA.

Ultimately participants will be more knowledgeable on specific winter weather topics to stress when teaching their students, will learn about new materials to enhance the teaching of winter weather phenomena, winter weather products/information, and hazardous weather avoidance decision-making.

About Our Presenters & Host

Dr. Ian Johnson - Presenter

Dr. Ian Johnson is an Engineering Psychologist with the FAA Weather Research Branch of the Aviation Weather Division. He is the Human Factors Lead and General Aviation subject matter expert on the Weather Technology in the Cockpit program. He has over 20 years of experience in Human Factors Engineering/System Safety of cockpit display systems and user interfaces. His experience ranges from lead Human Factors Engineer, Staff Human Factors Engineer of the Presidential Helicopter program, and technical contributor to RTCA & SAE special committees.

Dr Johnson holds a Ph.D. in Psychology with an emphasis in Cognition and Instruction from Grand Canyon University, a MAS in Aviation/Aerospace Safety Systems, a MAS in Human Factors in Aviation Systems, a BS Degree in Human Factors Psychology, from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. Additionally, Dr. Johnson holds certificates in General Aeronautical Engineering and Avionics Certification and is a Single and Multi-Engine Airplane pilot.

Danny Sims - Presenter

Mr. Danny Sims is an Atmospheric Scientist with the FAA Aviation Weather Division. He currently leads the Inflight Icing and Model Development and Enhancement weather research projects. He has over 30 years' experience in aviation weather including project management, weather product integration into the Traffic Flow Management System, and test and evaluation of aviation weather products. He has worked with a wide variety of aviation stakeholders. He was also responsible for sustainment of the Traffic Flow Management System at the Air Traffic Control System Command Center gaining a unique perspective into the daily balancing of air traffic demand and capacity across the NAS.

Mr. Sims previously served as a weather officer in the US Air Force providing operational weather forecasting services and leading research and development efforts. He holds a BA in Environmental Science from the University of Virginia and a BS and MS in Meteorology from the Pennsylvania State University.

Jennifer Colavito - Host

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.

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