Subject: Now Available: New DLAC2 course module
From:    Robert Rozumalski <rozumal@ucar.edu>
Date:    Tue, 14 Aug 2007 09:07:50 -0600
To:      allsoos@comet.ucar.edu



On behalf of Tim Spangler, I am providing the following announcement:

Greetings!

The COMET Program is pleased to announce the publication of the second module in the
Distance Learning Aviation Course 2 (Producing Customer-Focused TAFs). This module,
“Writing TAFs for Convective Weather,” describes how the Practically Perfect TAF (PPTAF)
process can be used, along with specific tools for diagnosing convective weather near
airports, to write a TAF that conveys valuable information to customers. The module is
available at http://www.meted.ucar.edu/dlac2/mod2 and takes approximately 2 hours to
complete. REMINDER: As of 30 Jan 2007, users are required to complete a secure, one-time
registration to use COMET instructional materials and to log in when using modules or
quizzes on the MetEd Website. This measure was taken at the request of our sponsors.
More information on the registration process can be found at http://www.meted.ucar.edu/mandatory_reg.htm.


The DLAC2 series is designed to help aviation forecasters convey their thinking to their
customers through the TAF and other means. Constructing good TAFs during convective weather
can be particularly challenging, especially when conditions are changing rapidly. It is
also difficult to convey those conditions in the rigid TAF structure. “Writing TAFs for
Convective Weather” will help you narrow the window of uncertainty and increase the value
of your product by maintaining an active weather watch and updating TAFs proactively, making
your TAF consistent with other NWS forecast products used by aviation customers, and conveying
your thoughts and confidence in an aviation forecast discussion.


A new feature in the DLAC2 course is the addition of a Weather Event Simulator (WES) case
that is a companion to the “Writing TAFs for Convective Weather” module. The case has 4
simulations, each of which takes 30-60 minutes to complete. AVNFPS, WESSL, and D2D are all
available during each simulation. The WES case should be taken after the module, and it is
not necessary to complete all simulations in a single sitting. WDTB, developers of the WES
case, will send the materials to each FO, CWSU, and regional headquarters.
The module requires the FLASH 8.24 player (or higher) to provide the animation sequences.

The most recent versions of both Internet Explorer and Netscape will have the FLASH player
plug-in installed. However, if you need to install the FLASH player, follow the directions
in the Tech Notes for each module.

NOTE TO NWS and other NOAA EMPLOYEES: This module is available in the NWS Learning Center
(http://doc.learn.com/noaa/nws). Please access it in that system in order to get credit.

For further information on this module, please contact: Vickie Johnson, Instructional Designer,
vjohnson@comet.ucar.edu.

For Technical Support for the module, contact: support@comet.ucar.edu.
For Technical Support for the WES case, contact: Mark Sessing, Mark.L.Sessing@noaa.gov.
We welcome any comments you may have regarding the content, instructional approach, or
use of this module and its accompanying WES case.

Sincerely,

Timothy Spangler

COMET Program Director