| Leaders: |
Steve Amburn (TSA) and John Jarboe (FAA Academy) |
| Description: |
If we are to reach our ultimate goal of providing improved products and services to the aviation community, then a training program must be developed that guarantees the success of the forecasters in acquiring the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities. In addition, practical real-time forecast verification must be made available so forecasters and managers can:
- Identify particularly difficult forecast scenarios,
- Identify areas of needed improvement, and
- Work to correct downward trends in performance.
|
| Tasks: |
Developing an effective aviation training program can be accomplished by: |
| 4.1 |
Making available to regional field offices a real-time aviation forecast verification program developed at WFO Tulsa
An AWIPS-compatible program is currently under development at the WFO and is nearing completion. Offices should move quickly to implement this program and begin the collection of baseline forecast verification statistics.
In addition, it is recommended that FSL's Real-Time Verification System (RTVS) be evaluated as a complementary system to the WFO's program. RTVS is a relatively mature system that provides real-time quality assessment of many aviation products generated by both humans and models/algorithms. Since RTVS currently assesses, in real-time, the quality of icing, turbulence, and convection products, it also should be operating within the CWSUs to assess the quality of prototype CWSU-generated products for those variables. Target: May 2001
|
| 4.1.1 |
WFO Tulsa programmers complete last modifications and support documentation to the program and submit to Southern Region Headquarters for official distribution. |
| 4.1.2 |
Offices contact Regional AWIPS Program Manager to receive instructions on downloading and configuring the program. |
| Resources: None |
| 4.2 |
Establishing a team consisting of CWSU meteorologists, SOOs, and SSD representatives to assess optional approaches to training
Aviation training activities are now being incorporated into the National Strategic Training Evaluation and Education Program (NSTEP). The SSD has been working closely with other Regions and National Headquarters on the development of NSTEP and will serve as a good source of immediate information on the status of aviation weather training plans and activities. Target: May 2001
|
| 4.2.1 |
Compile a comprehensive list of available aviation weather training material (modules, courses, case studies, etc.) - consider outside sources, such as COMET, military, FAA Academy, and Canadian weather services. |
| 4.2.2 |
Identify training needs of aviation forecasters. |
| 4.2.3 |
Produce a comprehensive plan that matches training needs with approaches to satisfying those needs. |
| Resources: Travel for one team meeting $2,500 |
| 4.3 |
Explore possibility of the Weather Unit at the FAA Academy partnering with COMET to produce a computer-based instruction (CBI) module on customer requirements and forecast impacts on flight operations Target: Summer 2001
|
| Resources: Possibly, travel for two meetings at $1,500 COMET in Boulder. |
| 4.4 |
Streamline the Familiarization (FAM) Flight process to encourage increased participation by forecasters and supervisors
Much of the initial work on satisfying this sub-initiative has been completed. FAM flights have proven to be excellent training opportunities. Also, they serve to raise our level of appreciation for customer needs. Finally, through participating in this program, interest and enthusiasm for providing quality aviation weather services are increased.Target: June 2001
|
| 4.4.1 |
Enlist an individual(s) to spearhead the effort to streamline the process (completed). |
| 4.4.2 |
Design interactive webpage that provides information on the program and allows eligible meteorologists to: obtain a D-11 card, apply for flights, and submit reports (nearing completion). |
| 4.4.3 |
Solicit feedback from NWS participants regarding the success of the improvements. |
| 4.4.4 |
Design interactive webpage that provides information on the program and allows eligible meteorologists to: obtain a D-11 card, apply for flights, and submit reports (nearing completion). |
| 4.4.5 |
Explore ways to implement suggested refinements. |
| Resources: Travel to SRH to design webpage (complete). |
| 4.5 |
Maximize use of the Distance Learning Operations Course (DLOC) concept in designing training initiatives.
Training, using this concept, should take the form of displaced real-time (simulator) case studies of significant aviation weather events (perhaps that caused or were contributing factors to major accidents). Interactive web modules, teletraining sessions, and/or CBI are viewed as acceptable media for providing this training.Target: April 2001
|
| 4.5.1 |
Identify and implement methods for collecting interesting aviation weather case studies. |
| 4.5.2 |
Design scenarios, in close cooperation with COMET, to address specific aviation weather training objectives. |
| 4.5.3 |
Contract with COMET graphic designers to create the training modules. |
| Resources: Currently unknown, but possibly several trips to COMET, graphic design costs, and training media reproduction. |
| 4.6 |
Establishing a "mentor" program for both Interns and Journeyman Forecasters to ensure that training needs are identified and career plans evaluated. Target: March 2001
|
| 4.6.1 |
Team develops "Mentor Program" policy and guidelines. |
| 4.6.2 |
Hold teleconference with office managers to discuss implementing the policy. |
| Resources: Minimal, if any. |
| 4.7 |
Working with National Headquarters to re-institute the Aviation Workshop or Customer Summit concept (should plan for such an event sometime in late Fiscal Year 2001 or early 2002)
Establish a regional team to work with National Headquarters representatives to organize, design, and implement the Workshop/Summit. Target: September 2001
|
| Resources: Participation in Workshop/Summit $40,000 (Regional contribution). |
www.srh.noaa.gov 
