Title:
When the Valley Says Not Today
Topic:
Decision-Making for Tule Fog and Winter Operations in the California Central Valley
Speaker(s):
NWS Hanford Representative, FAASTeam Representative
Brief Description:
The FAA Safety Team – Hanford, in coordination with the National Weather Service Hanford Forecast Office, presents an in-person aviation safety seminar focused on winter operations in California’s Central Valley. This event addresses common decision-making challenges pilots face during persistent low-visibility and ceiling conditions typical of the Valley’s winter environment. Local NWS meteorologists will discuss how to interpret aviation weather products, understand forecast uncertainty, and recognize patterns that impact operational planning. FAA Safety Team facilitation will connect these concepts to FAA weather knowledge requirements, preflight planning expectations, and aeronautical decision-making. This seminar is designed for VFR and IFR pilots, instructors, and students operating in the Central Valley.
Select Number:
WP25140963
Location of Seminar:
Hanford - EAA Chapter 1138 Building
9646 Hanford-Armona Rd
EAA Chapter Building
Hanford, CA 93230
Directions to Venue:
The EAA Chapter Building is located on the South West corner of the airport property. You can access the flight line at the main access gate code (2534).
Seating:
25
seats at the facility,
11
remaining for online registration.
Registration Information:
Sponsoring Division:
FAASTeam
Additional Event Information & Acknowledgement of Industry Sponsor(s):
This in-person FAA Safety Team seminar focuses on pilot decision-making and risk management during Tule Fog and winter operations in California’s Central Valley, an environment that presents some of the most persistent and operationally challenging low-visibility conditions in general aviation.
The Central Valley regularly experiences extended periods of low ceilings and visibility during the winter months, often with slow or uncertain improvement. These conditions increase the risk of poor go/no-go decisions, reduced margins, and weather-related incidents. This seminar is designed to help pilots better understand how these conditions develop, how they are forecast, and how to apply that information effectively during preflight planning and operational decision-making.
Local meteorologists from the National Weather Service Hanford Forecast Office will discuss the science behind Valley winter weather patterns, the challenges of forecasting Tule Fog, and how to interpret aviation weather products—including METARs, TAFs, and forecast discussions—when confidence and uncertainty are factors. FAA Safety Team facilitation will connect this information to FAA weather knowledge requirements, preflight responsibilities under 14 CFR §91.103, and practical aeronautical decision-making principles.
The discussion emphasizes real-world application, helping pilots recognize common traps such as overreliance on forecast improvement, misinterpretation of marginal conditions, and inadequate alternate planning. This seminar is appropriate for student pilots, VFR pilots, instrument-rated pilots, and flight instructors who operate in or around the Central Valley and want to improve winter weather risk management.
Equal Access Information:
The FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) is committed to providing equal access to this meeting/event for all participants. If you need alternative formats or services because of a disability, please communicate your request as soon as possible with the person in the “Contact Information” area of the meeting/event notice. Note that two weeks is usually required to arrange services.
Credit Applicability:
1 Credit for Basic Knowledge Topic 3
FAASTeam Project Information:
National Project:
In-person Safety Outreach to GA Pilots and Flight Instructors
Additional Event Documents:
