Pilots are required to file for an IFR clearance anytime weather conditions are forecast to be less than the VFR minimums.

TAKEOFF MINIMUMS. Takeoff mini-mums are based on the lowest published landing minimums at the point of departure. The landing minimums are used as takeoff minimums, because in the event of an emergency shortly after takeoff, the pilot may have to return to the airfield.

INSTRUMENT RATINGS. Navy pilots are instrument rated as either "standard" or "special" depending on their flight qualifications and experience. For pilots holding a "standard" instrument rating, the ceiling and visibility must beat least 300 feet and 1 mile, respectively, before they are permitted to take off. However, if the airfield has an approved precision approach radar and the published landing minimums are less than 300 feet and 1 mile, takeoff may be authorized based on the precision approach minimums. In NO case can a "standard" card pilot take off when the ceiling is less than 200 feet, visibility is less than one-half statute mile, or the runway visual range is less than 2,400 feet. For pilots holding the "special" instrument rating, takeoff minimums DO NOT apply.

Normally, weather debriefings consist of interrogation of pilots to determine the weather encountered during flights or missions. Pilots and aircrews can usually provide the most up-to-date information on actual route and/or target weather.

Information gained at debriefings provides a practical means of verifying the preflight forecast, and may be of considerable value in amending the forecast for later flights using the same route and/or going into the same area.

You have to impress on pilots and aircrews the value of the weather information they can furnish. If they can supply the exact time, place, and altitude of each observation, the information is much more valuable. The flight weather information is normally written on flight forecast folders, flight cross sections, in-flight report forms, or flight checklists.

Learning Objective: Explain how staff briefings differ from pilot weather brief-ings. Define weather synopses and explain how they are incorporated into briefings.

Staff briefings are tailored to accommodate task-force commanders and district flag officers and their staffs. Staff briefings consist of many different briefers briefing on a multitude of subjects. More often than not, environmental conditions get briefed first and are presented by the environmental officer or the senior aerographer, usually the leading chief. However, there are times and situations when junior personnel conduct the environmental portion of these briefings. Mobile environmental team members at the E-5 and E-6 level are prime examples. They are called upon to brief the commander and staff with whom they are deployed. 

The staff briefing is not as detailed as a flight or mission briefing; however, it is greater in scope. This is due to the size of the area and the various types of naval operations for which the commander has responsibility.

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