Weather info

On the “Shoot To Kill” thread there is mentionof Notamplot and the fact that this is supplied free by someone to interpret the information given by NATS when they have spent millions on their computers.

This is similar to another thing that annoys me. TAFS and METARS are provided in code. The only reason this code is used is to make it easier to telex. When was the last time you saw a telex?

It is argued that it is up to the pilot to ensure he or she is able to understand the code but my argument is that for many PPLs, especially low-houred ones, do not get enough practice to be able to read these reliably and there is no point in keeping them as they are. It is also argued that the current format means that information is standardised and this is, again, rubbish.

The information could be passed through a simple program that puts it into normal but standardised English (or indeed any other language at the flick of a keypad) and no doubt someone will now tell me that someone is doing this. The point is that someone else, as in the case of Notams, should not have to do this. Putting the weather into plain English is so simple and would take out a possible source of confusion and mistake for some pilots.

At a CAA safety evening some years ago I mentioned this to be told in no uncertain terms that it was up to me to learn the code and the CAA produced a handy little booklet to do just this (probably cost more to produce than a bit of software to convert the code!). I looked at the booklet and it was printed in about 4 point text and was almost unreadable.

So I wrote to the CAA and complained about it. In 4 point text. The letter was about 3 inches by 2. They never replied or, it seems, got the point.

Just my 2p

Melvyn