There is a paradox. Few factors affect air operations as much as weather. It can also impact negatively the safe conduct of flights. But the meteorological information available to pilots before and during their flight has not dramatically changed over the last two decades. And this despite the advent of the information society and the requirements for the upcoming Single European sky.
The relay of adequate, in-depth weather information is essential to maintain a high level of safety and to avoid flight disruptions by weather-related occurrences. Availability and dissemination of meteorological information is also crucial for the Single European Sky to become a reality and to deliver the expected efficiency gains.
In fact, the future European air traffic management system, based on trajectory and time management, will require a much higher level of predictability and accuracy. But this new way of operating will remain wishful thinking without consistent, almost real time updated meteorology data on the flight deck.
With the aim to raise awareness and provide stakeholders with a practical tool, Europe’s professional pilots put together excerpts from policy recommendations, regulations, and project findings, along with an in-depth classification of the charts which are essential and highly useful. This vision document also gives recommendations for minimum standards on weather information and data which pilots can and should receive.
