Pre-flight briefing summary

1. Check your e-mail for Skywise messages about frequency changes and make sure your radio's presets are up to date if this change affects them.
2. Check the weather predictions from CGC Heads-Up, London Gliding Club, David Masson (Lasham) or your favourite forecast site.
3. Check the weather:
   • AvBrief weather page.
   • Decode METARs from Worldwide TAFs & METARs on the AvBrief weather page (opens in a new window).
   • ECMWF for Avbrief forecast cross-checks.
   • Jetstream position forecasts.
   • UK Met Office
   • Volcanic Ash Advisories for the UK.
   • XC Weather. Hover over a wind arrow to see the decoded METARs and forecasts. Opens in a new window.
4. Check satellite images for cloud and rain:
   • High resolution visible UK
   • Weathercast weather radar
   • Dundee satellite images
   • Zoom Earth by Paul Neave, Neave Interactive
5. If volcanic ash warnings are in force, check the Volcanic Ash Advisories.
6. Check the soundings:
   • Parameter explanations
   • Stratus website.
     • RASPTable
     • BLIPSPOT for GRL
7. Plan a task and alternates. Use the Stratus Track Average tool to see if its doable.
8. Check the NOTAMS at the National Air Traffic Services Ltd web site or by using SPINE.
9. If there are NOTAMS for any of the following, check their websites for launch schedules:
   • CU Spaceflight - high altitude balloon launches.
   • EARS - rocket launches.
   • Random Engineering launch high altitude met balloons from the EARS launch site.
10. Go to Cambridge Gliding Club if you need to check member accounts or the airfield and fleet status.