Briefing Introduction

In the example, a VFR flight is planned within northern France (Paris to Lille) a few days before it will actually happen. To plan this flight, our key forecast maps are used, which give the pilot both a rapid and detailed impression of the weather conditions to be expected.

We start the briefing in the Forecast Mapsheader.

First we take a look at the potential VFR flying hours. Here we obtain a quick overview of the usability of the entire day (from sunrise to sunset). Orange areas are located on our route and symbolise a VFR flyability of 60%. This means that flyable VFR conditions are available 60% of the day only. On the subsequent maps we will find out when these impediments occur and what they are.

A quick look at the ground map shows that the advancement of a front is not expected. This is extremely helpful when assessing the weather dynamics.

Now we can commence the hourly analysis using the Significant Weathermap. In the morning, it forecasts fog, thus no flyable VFR conditions.

A couple of hours later the weather conditions are looking considerably better. The thick cloud cover has dispersed and visibility is good. However, as haze and fog are forecast in the area for the afternoon, this should be kept in mind.

We can verify this image using the cloud distribution . In northern France there is a strip of low-lying cloud cover in the morning, which is clearly evident from the orange-coloured area.

The low cloud cover has disappeared in the afternoon and there are only a few cumulus clouds left.

Then another look at the wind map. We can perform a calculation using a simple tailwind component.

A weather briefing just before taking-off is very different to the weather briefing for a date in the future. It brings the actual weather conditions to the fore. An analysis of these conditions has priority. To do this, TopMeteo offers a wide range of satellite, radar and lightning maps. The advice below must be heeded before every single flight: A check of the current weather is mandatory prior to every take-off!

In addition to our images, it is also extremely helpful to check the latest METARs.

The classic, the visual satellite image. Ideal if you need to obtain a general impression of the cloud conditions.

Cloud types are visible in much greater detail in the fog analysis. This analysis also looks identical at night and shows low-lying stratus and fog as yellow areas.

An impression of the flyable altitudes is obtained from cloud tops and ceilings .

Precipitation is displayed by the weather radar.