Fltplan.com- approved weather source?
 

So, I assume a lot of you guys probably use fltplan.com by now. They offer the QICP briefings now, and the page offers this information:

When they say approved weather source, is that a technicality only pertinent to 121 and 135 ops, or does this mean that a fltplan.com briefing counts the same as calling a FSS or using DUATS?

I'd like to know if using Fltplan.com is equal to calling the FSS and getting a standard briefing, legally speaking. Thanks!

I'll take a stab as this one...

Legally, you have to comply with FAR 91.103. The mechanisms that you choose are up to you; whether you get a phone briefing, a briefing from a licensed dispatcher, a weather packet from a certified vendor (i.e. Universal), or you derive your data from internet sources.

FltPlan.com is a legal conduit for this because its data is derived from official FAA sources and QICP certified. Aviationweather.gov (ADDS) is now QICP certified as well.

The mention on the 135/121 ops is because in their OpSpecs specifically have to state what are approved weather sources their pilots can use.

Listed in our OpsSpecs.

Same here, we got it in there last year.

I am suprised how many of our pilots still don't use it for flight plans, its the greatest thing since sliced bread!

We're a Part 91 State Govt. operator, and we use it religiously. The question that was asked to start the thread, we asked of our FSDO awhile ago. We're good to go. I personally print the briefing and carry it with me, but that's not required. Brief with confidence.

Generally, QICP is only significant to Part 135/121 operators. Volume 3, chapter 7, section 3, paragraph 1441 of the Air Transportation Operations Inspector's Handbook, Order 8900.1 states that if a part 121 or 135 operator obtains aviation weather or notices to airmen (NOTAM) data via the Internet, that operator must use an approved FAA Qualified Internet Communication Provider (QICP).

As other posters have noted, an individual 135/121 operator must list (and obtain approval for) specific sources of weather information via OpSpec A010. For instance, our operation is approved to use FLTPLAN.COM and WSI as QICPs.

If you're interested to know what's so special about QICP certification - it's simply focused on network infrastructure reliability, accessibility, and security - not the quality of the data. Among other things:

1. No outage can last longer than 10 minutes.
2. During any continuous 3-month period outages cannot total more than 30 minutes.
3. Security provides Internet SSL site authentication and maintains data integrity.
4. Accessibility and transaction times are less than 2 minutes.

In addition, QICP Certified web sites must be able to verify users' access to the web site via systems log files.




To answer the OP's question - for Part 91 operations, getting your data from a QICP has the same force and effect as obtaining your data from Flight Service or DUATS, because your user access is logged and can be verified.

The only thing this current operator does/did right was get fltplan.com on the QICP in the op specs. I print it and keep it until the flight's done. It's a great way to get the info ya need and stay legal.

-mini

Same for us.

FLTPLAN.COM

IS by far the best source of wx, flight planning system I've ever used. I monkey around with it just to see all the information this website provides. Absolutely sensational! Just my .02