Weather Minimums Memo at Florida Flight School Generates Controversy
A new policy at L3Harris Flight Academy in Orlando dictates that the weather must be below certain criteria before a flight can be canceled or penalties would be levied.
Developing personal minimums and learning to make the go/no-go decision is an essential part of flight training. [Courtesy: Meg Godlewski]
Key Takeaways:
L3Harris Flight Academy implemented a controversial weather cancellation policy, penalizing students if conditions are above low specified minimums, which critics argue prioritizes revenue and efficiency over safety.
Aviation experts and instructors express significant concern that the policy undermines the development of essential personal weather minimums and aeronautical decision-making skills in pilots.
While the L3Harris policy technically complies with FAA regulations, it is widely criticized by the aviation community as poor judgment and counterproductive to training safe, proficient pilots.
The FAA is currently investigating multiple safety concerns reported by individuals regarding L3Harris's weather policy.
I ask my private pilot candidates this when the weather is unstable or marginal VFR and falling. If they determine the weather does not support the mission, they need to explain why they came to that decision.
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Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.
