Event Details and Registration

The purpose of this course is to enhance the teaching of summer weather to student pilots with the goal to reduce the number of accidents and incidents with summer weather elements as a causal factor.

The objectives include providing all pilots with results of research studies that identified gaps in pilot weather knowledge and errors in pilot interpretation and use of weather products and information. In addition, the presentation intends to inform flight instructors of the availability (current and future) of weather training materials and training aids funded by the FAA.

The expected outcomes of this course are that participants have better information on areas where private pilots are deficient, about the availability and use of new educational materials for teaching students about summer weather phenomena, summer weather products/information, and hazardous weather avoidance decision-making.

To access this NAFI MentorLIVE! Broadcast - CLICK HERE

REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED to view this broadcast, there is no limit to the number who may attend this live course.

NO ADDITIONAL DOWNLOADS REQUIRED - just click on the webpage link above to view the program

UNABLE TO ATTEND THE LIVE BROADCAST? You may access the ARCHIVED program at any time after the LIVE Broadcast via the link above on virtually any internet connected device.

WINGS CREDIT is earned immediately after passing the knowledge quiz on the FAA Safety website. This process will be outlined at the beginning of this presentation

PRESENTERS

JENNIFER COLAVITO, 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. 

RANDALL BASS, FAA Weather Research Branch Manager 

Randy manages the Weather Research Branch in the FAA’s Aviation Weather Division. He leads the Aviation Weather Research Program and the Weather Technology in the Cockpit program, overseeing budget and executing transition of successful ventures from research to operations. Before becoming manager, he led the Convective Weather Research Program, directing research and development projects to mitigate effects of thunderstorms on aviation and the National Airspace System. 

Randy retired from the Air Force in 2008 after 20 years as a weather officer. During his career, he provided weather support to bases throughout the US and to a variety of aircraft. He deployed three times to the Middle East in support of various contingencies and spent almost half his career supporting the Intelligence Community. 

Mr. Bass earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Meteorology from North Carolina State University (1987) and a Master’s Degree in Meteorology from Texas A&M University (1996). 

GARY POKODNER, FAA Weather Technology in the Cockpit Program Manager 

Gary graduated from Lehigh University as an electrical engineer. He has worked in design, reliability, development, test, and acquisition of avionics. Gary came to the FAA in January 2011 after working for ARINC for 25 years on military avionics acquisition programs. Since coming to the FAA, Gary has been the FAA’s NextGen Weather Technology in the Cockpit (WTIC) Program Manager. In this role, Gary has been managing a portfolio of research projects with the overall objective of identifying and resolving gaps in meteorological (MET) information in Part 91, 135, and 121 cockpits and pilot weather training with the objective of enhancing operational efficiency and safety. 

JASON BAKER, FAA Research Meteorologist 

Jason earned his B.S. in Meteorology minoring in Forecasting and Broadcasting from Penn State in 2004. Jason then earned his commission as an Air Force Officer. In this role, he provided meteorological expertise to a forecast team that issued over 2,300 terminal aerodrome forecasts and nearly 1,100 watches, warnings, and advisories for the Southeastern US. 

In 2007, Jason joined the National Weather Service as an Aviation Meteorologist where he briefed and provided weather products to senior-level air traffic controllers at Memphis Center.  Then, In 2011, Jason moved to the program manager position for the Center Weather Service Units nationally. Key accomplishments include modernizing Information Technology infrastructure of 22 field units and implementing short weather video briefings to improve air traffic controllers weather situational awareness. 

In 2018, Jason joined the FAA’s Aviation Weather Division. His primary duties are managing the FAA’s Convective Weather Research Program, helping establish aviation weather requirements, and working to develop a globally consistent Hazardous Weather Information Systems.

NAFI MENTORLIVE

MentorLIVE is the National Association of Flight Instructors monthly LiveVideo broadcast airing on the third Wednesday of every month at 8:00 pm Eastern. These programs feature subject matter experts from many aspects of the flight instruction industry to help CFIs be more successful in their training endeavors.

To learn more about MentorLIVE and to access previously broadcast WINGS programs, click on this link https://www.nafinet.org/mentorlive

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