Pilots need to have a solid grasp of weather concepts so they can make smart aeronautical decisions based upon what they see on weather charts and outside their windshield. The Weather Wise series of online courses from the AOPA Air Safety Institute (ASI) bridges the gap between textbook theory and real-world conditions.
With their Weather Wise: Icing and Precipitation course, ASI starts with weather theory, then discusses practical information on how to deal with precipitation on the colder end of the thermometer. With emphasis on icing, freezing rain, and sleet, the course discusses the various types of precipitation, how it is formed, and the impact it can have on light aircraft. The course discusses VFR and IFR- specific strategies pilots can use to avoid ice, both on the ground and in the air.
The free online course is available at www.airsafetyinstitute.org/wxwise_precip.
