Originally Posted by
Airsupport
never said we make up our own conditions. Like i said if you start an approach and the vis goes below minimums after you begin the approach are you going to go around? no of course not. When you get down to minimums and you see the runway and land are you going to get violated because the reported visibility is below the approach minimums? No of course not. You have to base your decisions on known conditions and what you experience in flight. If you get to the airport and its clear and a million and the asos has gone down are you going to divert? of course not. You will establish the winds, use a nearby altimeter setting and land the plane. Now dont get me wrong if its a broken layer and 3 miles visibility then yeah you cant just say "oh it looks good" and keep going.
what 121 do you work for? Like the last post said, follow your op specs. I cant find in ASA's op specs anywhere about getting your own wind and altimeter setting. I agree with you about the approach stuff, however that is basic instrument rules. I believe this poster is talking about no asos from the begining. And for that you MUST follow Op Specs (unless emergency). I have had a couple occasions where data is missing or inaccurate and we have had to delay departure or call up someone to get the information. It sucks, but its part of all the sometimes dumb rules associated with 121 flying.
On a side note, I cant really say that i have ever actually seen a "weather observer" or heard of anyone actually using one. Are these guys left over from olden days or are they still actively used?? (I dont mean atc type folks either) Any stories anyone?