FPAW 2026 Spring Meeting

Session 1: Convective Forecasting and Aviation Decision Making
(Scott Minnick/NWS AWC and James Pinto/NCAR)
(Will include at least one 15-minute or longer break and a one-hour lunch)

• This session will begin with a pragmatic discussion of the convective forecast performance needs of air traffic management and aircraft dispatcher decision makers. It will then contrast those needs with current FAA convective weather forecast skill requirements. Finally, the session will review new ways of assessing convective forecast skill against target skill thresholds.
• In addition to the Session Co-Leads, expected participants include Jason Baker/FAA, Randy Bass/Bass Weather Services, Mike Robinson/Aeris LLC, Matt Wandishin/NOAA GSL, TBD FAA Air Traffic Manager(s), TBD Aircraft Dispatcher(s), TBD MIT/LL.

Session 2: ASTM F38-02 Weather Standards Update and Solicitation of Feedback
(Chris Zarzar/TruWeather Solutions)

• ASTM is a globally recognized standards body. The ASTM F38-02 Methods and Means of Compliance Working Group (WG) is close to finishing its development of, among other things, the concept of tiered weather information. The WG would like to provide FPAW with an update on the topic and receive feedback from members of the FPAW community. 

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TBD Room, Wes Watkins Session 3: Survey of the Weather Radar Landscape
(Tony Reinhart/NSSL)

• Weather radar is one of the aviation community’s most important atmospheric observational tools. With the NEXRAD system now more than 35 years old, it is time to look towards future options. New technologies such as Phased Array Radar (PAR), supplemental radar systems from companies like Climavision, and the Multi-Radar Multi-Sensor (MRMS) system are becoming increasingly important as NOAA moves towards the next weather radar network. This session will consist of an overview of the current and near-future state of U.S. weather radar capabilities and give an opportunity for FPAW members to provide feedback to key weather radar decision makers.
• In addition to the Session Lead, expected participants include Apoorva Bajaj/Climavision, Race Clark/NSSL, Randy Silver/NOAA NWS Radar Next Program, TBD/University of Oklahoma.

Session 4: New Weather – Who This?!? Helping New Aviators Tackle Novel Weather Experiences
(Christian Amaral/ALPA, Tyler Bell/OU)
(Will include at least one 15-minute or longer break and a one-hour lunch)

• This session features participants whose combined experience in aviation, education, training and weather is well over 100 years! Through both story-telling and deep dives into highly successful in-situ and classroom teaching techniques, this session has been designed to help young, prospective aviators understand how to best learn about safely operating in impactful weather conditions that don’t frequently occur where they train.
• In addition to the Session Co-Leads, expected participants include Ken Carson/OU, Kim Elmore/OU, Wayne Sand/Big Sky Weather Consulting, Sarah Strazzo/ERAU, Mike Splitt/FIT, TBD Students from OSU and OU.

FPAW Student Mixer

• Chat with giants of the aviation weather community in this OSU-sponsored social activity. Did we mention free food?

FPAW Dinner

• Ready to continue the conversations from the Student Mixer? Been wanting to find a moment to chat with another in-person FPAW participant? Join us for a very informal dinner (pizza and beer, anyone?) at a location designed for mingling, coming and going (and, of course, pizza and beer). 

Day 3, Thursday, April 23, 2025
TBD Room, WWC, Oklahoma State University

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Session 5: Airport Management/Operations and Impactful Winter Weather
(David Dillahunt/SWA, John Ostrom/AeroWyld LLC, Kellie Reed/KSWO)
(Will include at least one 15-minute or longer break and a one-hour lunch)

• In this session, the Airport Management/Operations and Aviation Weather communities are going to engage in two-way conversations.
• The focus of the first part of the dialogue will be on airport managers and operators (hint – they’re not one and the same), both when weather is not a factor and when winter weather impacts the airport. Regarding the latter, particular attention will be paid to preparation, communications and decision-making during impactful winter weather.
• The second part of the session will begin with a discussion of airport winter weather pain points and lessons learned, and conclude with conversations regarding new technologies and solutions meant to mitigate winter weather at airports.
• Expected participants include TBD Large/Medium/Small Hub Airport Operations/Leadership, Brandon Ingham/KSWO (Non-Hub Airport Operations), Robin Hollet/UAL.

Session 6: FPAW Organizational Update/Mini-Planning Meeting
(Matt Fronzak/MITRE and Nathan Polderman/UAL)

• The FPAW Co-Chairs will share organizational items of interest, provide the latest information about upcoming FPAW meetings, and be prepared to receive input on a variety of topics from the FPAW community.