News

Good evening, aviation weather enthusiasts.

In our last newsletter a few hours ago, concerning a new NPRM titled "Flexibility Enhancements of Weather Reporting Systems," you may have noticed that we ended by mentioning the efforts of two FPAW Steering Committee (SC) members, one present and one past. That was not an accident. In fact, members of the FPAW SC are among those affecting advancements in the world of aviation weather.

Have you ever wanted to join this merry band of aviation weather wizards? If so, NOW IS YOUR CHANCE!

Each year, 4 or 5 FPAW SC positions open up for potential new members. This year is no exception. We will be filling four slots on the FPAW SC later this year, with terms starting on October 1, 2026 and running for three (3) years, through September 30, 2028.

Intrigued? But not sure if you're qualified? Throw caution to the wind! Throw your name in the hat and take a run at it!!

OK. But, now you're wondering this:

"Which slots are opening up starting in October of this year, and if I'm interested, how do I throw my name in the hat."

Well, here's the answers.

• There will be four positions available starting October 1, 2026. Two will represent the User community, one will represent the Provider community and one will represent the RED/Academia community. If you're interested, and you think you have the background to serve as an effective representative of one of those communities, let us know.

"OK, fine. How do I let you know?"

• It's easy. You send an email to contact@fpaw.aero. It will go to us (nathan.polderman@united.com and mfronzak@mitre.org). In that email, in 1-2 paragraphs, you should tell us that you're interested in becoming a member of the FPAW SC, and then explain why you would you should be chosen. And then you attach a current resume/CV. That's it!

Some of you may have already tried and not been selected. Well, keep trying. Current FPAW SC member David Dillahunt/Southwest Airlines tried, and tried again, and tried a third time, before he was elected. And let us assure you, from watching his performance over the last nine months, that David is an aviation weather superstar. Unfortunately for him, he was competing with other aviation weather superstars those first two times.

So, know that you might not be selected this time. But, by letting the current FPAW SC know that you're interested, and by reinforcing that interest via active participation in FPAW meetings, you will be seen, recognized and, eventually, selected if you have the right stuff. Ask Gus. Ask Christian. Ask Elizabeth. Ask any of the current FPAW SC members. They'll tell you.

We hope that our inboxes get flooded with nominations, self or otherwise. If the latter, please do make sure that the person you're putting forward is, in fact, willing to meet monthly and be voluntold to co-lead sessions at FPAW Meetings, contribute to white papers as a member of FPAW SC Tiger Teams, or just actively advance aviation weather.

Matt Fronzak and Nathan Polderman
FPAW Co-Chairs

Good afternoon, all.

A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), titled "Flexibility Enhancements of Weather Reporting Systems," was published in the Federal Register dated May 22, 2026. The comment period for this NPRM ends this coming Monday, June 22, 2026. So, if you feel strongly about the proposed changes, you'll need to provide your feedback very quickly. A link to this NPRM is at the bottom of this message.

On the surface, the proposed rule rule changes appear primarily administrative, bringing relevant FARs up to date with current practices and processes. Perhaps more importantly, however, these changes are likely to help pave the way for the use of approved, non-traditional sources of weather information, a capability that will clearly be critical to the operation of emerging aircraft types in the lower atmosphere.

Kudos to FPAW Steering Committee (SC) member Gordy Rother for honchoing this effort, and thank you to former FPAW SC member Rex Alexander for bringing it to our attention.

Matt Fronzak and Nathan Polderman
FPAW Co-Chairs

Good afternoon, weather radar aficionados.

Jessica Schultz, NWS Deputy Director, Radar Next (and presenter at the Spring 2024 FPAW Meeting!) asked me to let you all know about the upcoming Radar Next Industry Day, which will be held in July on the campus of The MITRE Corporation, in McLean, VA. Interestingly, this is also where the Fall 2026 FPAW Meeting will take place.

Event information, including a registration form and agenda, can be found at the following link:
https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/055b088584e0432c8b079d930b0f4232/view

Matt Fronzak
FPAW Co-Chair 

Hello, FPAW fam.

If you missed the final session of the Spring 2026 FPAW Meeting at Oklahoma State University last month, you may not be aware that the location, dates and theme for the Fall 2026 FPAW Meeting have all been set.

The meeting will take place from Tuesday, October 27, 2026 through Thursday, October 29, 2026 in a TBD building/meeting room on the campus of The MITRE Corporation in McLean, VA. The meeting will be primarily focused on weather information and impacts in the lower atmosphere (think AAM/UAM, HEMS, UAS and GA operations). For your convenience, a Save-the-Date calendar link is included at the bottom of this newsletter/email. 

The meeting web site has been set up and is located here. Registration, logistics and agenda information will be added to the web site in the weeks leading up to the meeting. In the meantime, however, if the meeting theme resonates, and you think you'd like to directly participate as either a session lead, presenter or panelist, please reach out, sooner rather than later, to one (or more) of the following:

• Fall 2026 Meeting Coordinator Beth Welliver (beth.welliver@jobyaviation.com)
• FPAW Co-Chair Matt Fronzak (mfronzak@mitre.org)
• FPAW Co-Chair Nathan Polderman (nathan.polderman@united.com)

We expect to have session co-lead and panelist/presenter slots filled in the next few weeks, so do be cognizant of the "sooner rather than later" recommendation above.

All the best,

Beth Welliver
Fall 2026 FPAW Meeting Coordinator

Matt Fronzak and Nathan Polderman
FPAW Co-Chairs

Dear Students and Colleagues,  

The Friends and Partners in Aviation Weather (FPAW) Steering Committee (SC) is seeking a motivated student to serve on the FPAW SC as the charter Student Member for a one-year term, from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027, with the possibility of extension.

This is a unique opportunity for a student to step into a visible role within the aviation weather community, working alongside professionals from government, academia, and industry who are shaping the future of aviation safety and operations. As the student representative, you will have a direct voice in Steering Committee discussions, contribute to conversations that influence real-world decision-making, and help ensure that student perspectives are meaningfully integrated into FPAW activities. This role offers valuable exposure, networking opportunities, and a platform to represent the next generation of aviation weather professionals.

Eligibility:

Applications are open to undergraduate and graduate students with at least one academic year left and a background in aviation and/or meteorology.

Responsibilities:

• Participate in monthly 1.5-hour SC meetings
• Represent student perspectives on aviation weather topics
• Communicate student interests and concerns to the committee
• Serve as a student ambassador to the university community to improve student engagement with the FPAW community 

Application package:

• CV or resume
• A 1-2 paragraph letter stating the applicant’s interest in the position (“I’m interested”), the applicant’s relevant experience (“Here’s what I’ve done”), and why the applicant should be chosen (“This is why I should be selected”)
• A letter of support from a faculty member

Application deadline:

Application packages are due September 11, 2026, and should be submitted by email to FPAW Co-Chairs Matt Fronzak (mfronzak@mitre.org) and Nathan Polderman (nathan.polderman@united.com).

We strongly encourage interested students to apply for this opportunity to contribute to and shape the future of the aviation weather community. If you have any questions in the meantime, please feel free to reach out.

Best regards,

Matt Fronzak and Nathan Polderman
FPAW Co-Chairs

OK, OK, I know you're sick of me sending out all these newsletters/emails, but...

Cindy H G from NCAR just rocked it today! Every single one of the Spring 2026 FPAW Meeting videos are now posted on the meeting web site here.

From where I sit (on my can), we are but a few small steps from putting a bow on last week's excellent meeting. What are those small steps, you ask? Well, I think there might be an action or two buried in the OUTSTANDING conversations that took place in Stillwater. Nathan and I are going to chat about everything FPAW tomorrow, and this topic will certainly be among those we discuss.

Keep us honest, folks, and help us turn your great ideas into FPAW white papers!

Matt Fronzak
FPAW Co-Chair

Happy April 30th to you all.

It’s taken me a LOOONG time to decompress and come down from last week’s excellent FPAW meeting. Nonetheless, I’ve managed to spend portions of the last few days gathering material in one place on my laptop so I can update the meeting web site. With the exception of the video recordings, which are a work in progress, I'm happy to announce that I'm 95% of the way there.

As such, I've added what I have right now to the web site. Moreover, I think I'll get the remaining 5% of the material up before the end of the day. Good Lord willing and the Creek don't rise (and Cindy Halley Gotway perseveres), the video recordings may also be close to being ready to be added. So, keep checking in on the meeting web page at https://fpaw.aero/events/2026/fpaw-2026-spring-meeting. 

I sent an email to all registrants earlier today, but I'll repeat it here. If you took pictures (or, as Gordon Brooks did, screen shots) during the meeting and are willing to share, please send them my way: mfronzak@mitre.org, so we can round out the excellent presentations and recordings with some pics and convince you all to come to NOVA in late October 2026 for the Fall 2026 FPAW Meeting!

Matt Fronzak
FPAW Co-Chair

Good evening, folks.

We are passing this along on behalf of the International Society for Atmospheric Research using Remotely piloted Aircraft (ISARRA) and their upcoming meeting.

Matt Fronzak and Nathan Polderman
FPAW Co-Chairs