Power pilots generally know a great deal more about the "system" we fly in than glider only pilots do. The point was driven home to me recently while reviewing the preparedness of a candidate for the knowledge test. I asked what I thought was a simple question. "you're returning to Sterling late in the day and there's no one left at the field. What are 3 ways you can use the aircraft radio to get local weather information?". This is a question that any power pilot could answer and so I was surprised at the silence that followed. The three methods I had in mind were the Fitchburg ASOS (and I'll explain the acronyms later), the Worcester airport ATIS, and Flight Service. The glider pilot responded that he'd never heard of these things and that he was getting 96's on the practice exams and that these (real world) questions were not on the tests. A quick review of the FAA knowledge test database showed that he was right. What I want to discuss in this article are some useful "infrastructure" resources that most power pilots know about but few glider pilots do.
ASOS - Automated Surface Observation System is a box that broadcasts real time weather information via a computer generated voice. The radio frequency is published on a sectional chart. The closest ASOS to Sterling is at the Fitchburg airport and broadcasts on 135.175 or by phone at 978 343-9121. Phone numbers for these services can be found in your “Chart Supplement” (formerly called the AFD - Airport Facilities Directory) or on the web at http://www.airnav.com/airports/.
ATIS is the Automated Terminal Information System. Most towered airports have a recording, normally updated hourly at 45 minutes past the hour, that broadcasts weather and airport information. Pilots, before taking off or landing, typically monitor ATIS before calling the tower or ground control. During periods of severe weather, the ATIS is updated more frequently. The ATIS frequency is listed on your sectional chart and the closest to Sterling is Worcester airport at 126.55 (or by phone at 508 757-0962). KORH (the Worcester airport designation) also has an ASOS at 508 767-5871.
Flight Service Stations, in the air, nation wide, can be contacted via radio on 122.2. A real human being will answer your call and will provide you with current weather information (NOT forecasts). Since more than one station may hear your call, it is advisable to announce your approximate position so that the nearest station will answer your call. For example "Flight service, glider 1234, Gardner VOR". If you happen to know the location of the nearest flight service station (Bridgeport, Connecticut), so much the better - "Bridgeport flight service, glider 1234".
Flight Service Stations (on the ground) are best contacted on the web at 1800wxbrief.com to get official weather briefings, among other things (like filing flight plans, getting NOTAMS). You need a (free) account. Do sign up for that.
You can also call them on the phone at (you guessed it )1-800- wxbrief.
These good folks are geared to providing route briefings for the powered crowd (standard, abbreviated, and forecast (you do remember all that from your knowledge tests, right?)), but will (occasionally) shift gears if you tell them you're a glider pilot and tell you what you want to know (but don't count on it).
Note that several times I've mentioned "official weather briefings". When you contact the FSS, either on the web or by phone, the transaction is logged. Should you have an accident or incident, the FAA will review the logs. If the event was weather related and you did not get a briefing, you could be cited for failing to meet the requirements of FAR 91.103(a). Note that the FAA is aware of the many online weather services available today and may find those acceptable.
NOTAMs are NOtices To AirMen. These notices consist of (often) temporary information such as airport closings due to air shows, for instance, Temporary Flight Restrictions (and we saw many of those post 9/11), and the like. NOTAMS can be obtained as part of your official weather briefing.
121.5 - the international distress frequency. Monitored by every control tower, Air Route Traffic Control Center, and others.
ASRS "get out of jail free card". Tell a power pilot that you filed one of these and you'll get a knowing smile - yet another example of the guv'ment doing good. In an effort to improve aviation safety, the FAA contracted NASA to create and maintain the "Aviation Safety Reporting System" (http://asrs.arc.nasa.gov/). Pilots are encouraged to file incident reports to NASA, via the web at https://asrs.arc.nasa.gov/report/caveat.html?formType=general. When you file the report, it is assigned a number, your name is removed, and the number is sent back to you. Your report is, therefore, anonymous. If you unintentionally violate an FAR, for instance, you should file an ASRS report. Here's the good part, if the FAA decides to take action against you (license suspension, fines), whip out the NASA ASRS case number returned to you and if the violation was inadvertent, you will not be "prosecuted". Note that your report does not have to be about an FAR violation - any safety related item is legitimate "fodder".
ASRS publishes a free monthly newsletter, "Callback", summarizing some of the more interesting reports. Look at the "Callback" archives at http://asrs.arc.nasa.gov/callback.htm. Get your own copy in the mail by subscribing to asrs-subscribe@lists.arc.nasa.gov. Always interesting reading and I encourage you to subscribe.