NTSB’s Forum on PIREPs Will Be Open To The Public
The NTSB will be hosting a forum this coming June 21-22, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the NTSB’s Washington headquarters. The primary focus of the forum will focus on PIREPs, or pilot weather reports.
The forum, called “PIREPs: Pay it Forward…Because Weather for One is Weather for None,” will discuss the need to improve the process by which PIREPs are shared while also discussing how new and emerging technologies can play a role in providing greater awareness of weather conditions for pilots.
According to NTSB Member Robert Sumwalt, “We cannot control the weather. But we certainly can plan for it when we receive reports about conditions experienced by others along our intended route. For PIREPs to be most effective they must be accurate and made quickly available in the National Airspace System. There are several problems degrading the effectiveness of PIREPs and it is our intent to use information gathered during our forum – from across the broad spectrum of the aviation community – to find ways to best improve PIREP handling and use.”
The forum will consist of different panels, including:
- The use and significance of PIREP information to weather services, air traffic controllers, pilots and researchers.
- The lifecycle of a PIREP.
- PIREP training, education, and operations.
- Future improvements and emerging technologies for PIREPs.
Officials from federal agencies, airlines, aviation associations and academic organizations are all expected to take part in the two-day forum. The event is open to the public, so if you are interested in taking part, drop by their headquarter in Washington DC. However, if you are not in Washington, or nearby when the forum is happening, you will be able to watch it online via webcast at the NTSB’s Capital Connection website. Video of the forum will be available for 90 days after it happens.
If you are unable to attend, you can still take part in the forum by submitting an email inquiry or providing your thoughts and insight to PIREP.Forum@ntsb.gov.
