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Date: Fri, 19 Aug 2005 17:12:30 -0400
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From: "Ron Galbraith" <cfi@instructor.net>
Subject: XM Wx, ARTCC Wx

I'd like to add some observations to the XM discussion.  Everyone who has u=
sed XM weather, or other services that are nearly the same, realizes that t=
he updates aren't exactly real time.  They are updated every 5 to 10 minute=
s, and are very good trend indicators, but they are not meant to be used fo=
r real time trying to miss the heavy cells.  This is what airborne radar is=
 for.  I've used both the XM and real time weather radar at the same time, =
and believe me it's vastly different most of the time when you are on a sma=
ll scale.  It's close some of the time, but don't get sucked into the false=
 sense of security of thinking you are seeing real time weather because you=
 are not.  All US ARTCC's now have color nexrad displayed on the radar scop=
e.  Please be warned though, that display is also NOT real time.  The updat=
es for our ATC nexrad display is updated about the same as the XM weather, =
and in most cases actually slower.  We get a new update between 5-15 minute=
s, so if you ask the controller for a vector around the weather and he send=
s you through some heavy precip, don't blame him/her because we can only us=
e what we see.  It's not perfect, but it's a thousand percent better than w=
e had a couple years ago.  If you know a storm is moving East, and you are =
being vectored around the West side, then you have a pretty good chance you=
 are being given a good margin of safety.  If you are being vectored around=
 the East side, you better ask for more room.  We as air traffic controller=
s are there to offer our services to you for traffic advisories, weather, M=
OA activity, TFR's, or just a friendly voice(in most cases)to keep you comp=
any.  Use everything in your power to make your flight a safer one.  Use XM=
 weather, use a storm scope, get flight following from the ARTCC, and do wh=
at ever you can to stay away from thunderstorms.=20=20

Ron Galbraith
ATC, ATP, MCFI
LNCE-N5ES flying soon to an airport near you.

--=20
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