At Detroit
Virtual, we use real world weather reports, updated every fifteen minutes.
I would also like to take a moment and remind you that Detroit Virtual's
server also uses real-time. As a controller, it is your job to assess
the current weather conditions and make the call of terminating VFR
traffic into and out of the airport. Below is a brief explanation
of VFR and IFR conditions:
VFR weather
minimums for Class B airspace (KDTW) are 3 miles visibility and remain
clear of clouds. What this means to us is: If visibility on
field is not 3 or more miles, VFR flight in a no-go. Also, if a pilot
cannot fly a VFR pattern without being in the clouds, VFR is again, cancelled.
In simple terms, the VFR pattern altitude around Detroit is 1,600 msl.
If ceilings are below this altitude, no VFR flights shall be allowed.
IFR minimums
are of course different. Without going into the long and tedious
speech that accompanies the FAR (Federal Aviation Regulations), I will
simplify it greatly. Basically, if the visibility and ceilings make
it impossible for a pilot to see the runway by the time he/she is at DH
(Decision Height) then the pilot shall initiate a go around and the controller
can vector the aircraft to that runways MAP (Missed Approach Point) and
hold. If weather shows no sign of clearing, the pilot may ask for
vectors to the nearest alternate airport. For commercial jets, this
is usually Cleveland. Smaller aircraft may be vectored closer, as
they generally need less room. I must remind you that our pilots
have limited fuel onboard, so they will be making a decision fairly quickly.
Help them in any way you can, to make sure they get down safely.
|