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So here's a question I got during prep for my IFR oral exam. What additional info do you get during an IFR wx brief that you don't get during a VFR brief?

Let's ignore the fact that getting any live briefing out of Lockheed-FSS takes an act of God and Patience anymore! I routinely wait 10 minutes or more on hold to get those. (Otherwise I'd just ask one of them this question!)

But since I didn't have a ready answer, that became my homework. And I can't find anything specifically written that addresses this. Logic would state that what matters more to an IFR pilot would also be the FDC Notams, as they typically focus on situations important for IFR flight. So that's my starting point. But are there other items that an FSS briefer would give during an IFR brief that they wouldn't offer a VFR jockey?

Jeff

I don't know the answer to the question, but I will say that waiting only 10 minutes these days is pretty good. At least in the DC area where you have to file a flight plan with FSS before taking off VFR, people are cancelling plane reservations because they can't get FSS on the phone. One guy in my club was on hold for 1:30 before giving up.

Can you not file via DUAT or DUATS for this same purpose? I don't even bother to call FSS at this point, and have been filing IFR flight plans through DUAT with no problems. But in DC area they may have requirements for verbal filing...I don't know about that.

J

You can file a DC-ADIZ plan on DUAT(S) for some flights. It depends on where you're going. I know you can't do it for pattern work, and you may also not be able to do so for a flight from one airport in the ADIZ to another that's also in the ADIZ.

As for flights where you can use DUAT(S), it's just a pain to have to remember to do it. It was so easy to just call FSS on the cell phone after a preflight. Or if you fly out for the $120 hamburger, it was nice not to have to commit to a time when you want to come back into the ADIZ on your return.

But in short, yes, DUATS is an option, and there's been a lot of traffic on local email lists lately from pilots who are just now learning to use it because the LM FSS has been so horrible lately.

wow,
that's a record 1:30. We have noticed a longer wait in the San Francisco area as well, but I haven't heard to that extreme.
Online definitely cuts down on time spent on the phone, but it is always nice to be able to have the opportunity to call just before you depart to check on last minute NOTAMS etc.

As far as weather briefings...the standard is the standard. To the best of my knowledge there is the outline that the briefers must follow and include everything on that. Included also, however, is their personal interpretation and how much detail they want to go into. It's important to have an idea of what information you want out of the brief, not what will simply be given to you. FDC NOTAMS and published NOTAMS, will not be volunteered in either situation.

As far the the interpretation for IFR, well, you would get freezing levels, information about the cloud layers, precipitation etc...PIREPS that would be appropriate.

VFR or IFR, they will tell you "not recommended" if any conditions exist that seem challenging...I was told be a briefer one time that this is also for liability reasons. A guy took off VFR after getting a IFR briefing, and because the briefer did not say these words, he was still suspended. Eek.

wow,
that's a record 1:30. We have noticed a longer wait in the San Francisco area as well, but I haven't heard to that extreme.
Online definitely cuts down on time spent on the phone, but it is always nice to be able to have the opportunity to call just before you depart to check on last minute NOTAMS etc.

As far as weather briefings...the standard is the standard. To the best of my knowledge there is the outline that the briefers must follow and include everything on that. Included also is there personal interpretation and how much detail they want to go into. It's important to have an idea of what information you want out of the brief, not what simply what will be given to you. FDC NOTAMS, and published NOTAMS will not be volunteered in either situation.

As far the the interpretation for IFR, well, you would get freezing levels, information about the cloud layers, precipitation etc...PIREPS that would be appropriate.

VFR or IFR, they will tell you "not recommended" if any conditions exist that seem challenging...I was told be a briefer one time that this is also for liability reasons. A guy took off VFR after getting a IFR briefing, and because the briefer did not say these words, he was still suspended. Eek.