News

Today's the day, folks. If you are interested in being considered for one of the four available senior positions on the FPAW SC, you need to get your nomination package, as outlined in previous newsletters, to Nathan and me before COB (1700E) today.

Note that this deadline does NOT apply to the newly created student position on the FPAW SC, for which we will accept nominations through COB (1700E) Friday, 9-11-26.

Matt Fronzak
FPAW Co-Chair

Good evening, all.

As I type this, we are five (5!) days from the deadline to submit nominations for open senior positions on the FPAW Steering Committee (SC). Here's the good organizational news - we've already got multiple candidates for each open position. Here's the unknown news - we don't know if we have the right, the ideal, the perfect candidate for those slots. So, if you're interested, self-nominate. Or, if you know someone who is interested and would be willing to be nominated by someone else, send in their name. In either case, in addition to a name, we will  need (1) an expression of interest ("Here's why I'm interested in joining the FPAW SC and why you should choose me), (2) a C/V ("Here's what I'm all about") and (3) the FPAW constituency you'd like to represent. Submit these to the FPAW Co-Chairs, Nathan Polderman (nathan.polderman@united.com) and Matt Fronzak (mfronzak@mitre.org), by COB EDT Monday, August 31, 2026, and you/they will be in the running.

Interested? Great!!

Confused? Take a stroll around the FPAW web site, and I'm confident you'll find answers to all your questions.

But wait -- there's more!

Are you an aviation weather buff who is also a student, undergrad or graduate, and will be for the next 12 months? Would you like to become THE charter student member on the FPAW SC? If so, submit (1) and (2) above, plus (4) a faculty letter of support for your nomination, to the FPAW Co-Chairs, Nathan Polderman (nathan.polderman@united.com) and Matt Fronzak (mfronzak@mitre.org), by September 11, 2026 (yes, that is a later date).

I gotta' tell you, that would be something very cool to put on a resume coming out of school! And, you'll get to rub elbows with some of the pillars of aviation weather and help set direction in the field for your generation!

Matt Fronzak
FPAW Co-Chair

Good Friday afternoon to you all.

I had a very long, very newsy email drafted. And then I must have hit the wrong button. And it disappeared. And I hadn't saved it (because, why would you?). And it really honked me off. My loss, however, is your gain. You won't have to read all the stuff I wrote, regardless of how humorous or pithy it was.

Here's the bottom line: the preliminary, non-detailed agenda, along with the registration form, for the Fall 2026 FPAW Meeting, are now both available on the meeting web site.

I have registered. Who's going to be #2? Anyone? Bueller?

Matt Fronzak
FPAW Co-Chair

P.S. I am compelled to draw your attention to the afternoon of Day 3, and recommend that you plan to be there!

Good day everyone.

Have you ever thought about nominating yourself, or nominating someone else too nervous or humble to do it themselves, for the FPAW Steering Committee? 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 (two Users representatives, one Providers representative, one RED/Academia representative) 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 by August 31, 2026 and take a run at it!!

To self-nominate, send an email to the two of us (nathan.polderman@united.com and mfronzak@mitre.org). In that email, in 1-2 paragraphs, tell us that you're interested in becoming a member of the FPAW SC, and then explain why you should be chosen. Attach a current resume/CV, and you're done. That's it!

If you're nominating someone else, they will need to complete the step listed above, along with being willing to meet monthly, 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!

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. It just took us a while to recognize that.

So, know that you might not be selected this time. But, by letting the current FPAW SC know that you're interested, and especially 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.

Although we hoped that our inboxes would get flooded with nominations, it's been a trickle so far. So, don't wait, don't hesitate. If you're self-nominating, send us the required info by August 31, 2026. If you're nominating someone else, and they're willing to run, they will need to get their info to us by the same date.

Matt Fronzak and Nathan Polderman
FPAW Co-Chairs

(Resent to remove inoperative contact@fpaw.aero email address)

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 are 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 the two of 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