Weather Theory for Pilots On-line Course

New Block Released May 6th, 2010

Weather Theory for Pilots is an interactive program designed to help General Aviation pilots better understand and apply weather theory and technologies to their flying activities. Although, specifically intended for new or low-time pilots, blocks and modules provide those without formal recurrent programs with refresher training in fundamental weather principles and their application to flight operations.

Instructions for downloading and setting up the blocks are at the bottom of this page.

The following blocks and modules are currently available:


Block 1
Introduction (29 min.)

  • Introduction (8 min.)
  • Moisture (5 min.)
  • Vertical Motion (6 min.)
  • Stability (10 min.)


Block 2
Aircraft Performance (16 min.)


Block 3
Application of Weather Theory (55 min.)

  • Low Ceilings and Visibilities (16 min.)
  • Fronts (10 min.)
  • Altimetry (14 min.)
  • Non-Convective Low-Level Wind Shear (12 min.)

Blocks and modules that will be released in the future include:

Block 4
Aviation Weather Forecasts

  • Introduction
  • The Area Forecast
  • Weather Advisories
  • Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts

Send comments, suggestions, or questions to:
Terry Lankford
231 Snowberry Ct.
Murphys, CA 95247
e-mail: WeatherTheory@comcast.net

Downloading and Setting Up the Training Modules

You may want to create a folder (or directory) on your computer for the Weather Theory course.

Click on the link for the module you want to download and "Save to Disk" placing it in the folder you created for the course.

You will need a program such as WinZip to extract the course into your folder. If you do not already have a program, this link at CNET download has a number of programs that can be used with compressed ("zipped") files:
http://www.download.com/File-Compression/3150-2250_4-0.html?tag=dir

Double-click the ".exe" file (for example, introduction.exe) to start the module.

The Readme File has instructions on using the module. The readme file can be viewed with Adobe Acrobat reader.