Meterology 101
 

Do you think taking a Met 101 course at the local University will give a pilot trying to make it to the regional level enough understanding of how the weather works?

shouldn't you be at a decent level after getting you licenses?

Well it will give you a more thorough understanding as if you dont take the course you wont . I took a met 101 class, and a Intermediate class. Mostly the 101 course is basically knowing the stuff you should know to obtain a pilot's instrument license. Such as what is an adiabatic rates, Pressures, components that creates a thunderstorm, Understanding Lows/Highs, Types of Fronts, All Types of Wx Charts, Different types of fog and what creates them, Icing/ types of icings, etc thats the 101, the Intermediate course was more indepth into prognosticating weather patterns. Bottom line if you need it as an elective by all means take it, but if you dont I believe the knowledge from the instrument course should suffice.

Good post. I concure. Understanding weather systems is very important and although your flight and ground instructors are knowledgable on the Met topics, it would help you out more to get the knowledge from a university course. You may like it enough to want to take additional meterology courses and get a minor.

Most MET courses are not geared toward aviation. They are great for a basic understanding, but like previously stated, if you already have your license you probably know most of it. I was never satisfied with my MET classes in college, so I bought Aviation Wx and Aviation Wx Services (The FAA books), and studied those until I felt comfortable. Teaching it to people also helps your retention and understanding of the information. Hope that helps.

It can't hurt you is the way I see it, but if you can find someone or some place that offers one geared towards aviation, that's where you're going to find those extra bonuses that come in handy.

Spend about $ 50 and buy Jeppesen's Aviation Weather book. It will cover everything could ever need/want to know about weather for pilots. Bonus: no classroom and no tests.

Thanks for the insightful posts guys. I have had the Jepp Weather book as well as the FAA publications on weather...I guess taking the met 101 will not be necessary.

Forgot to mention. The best weather education though, is just getting out there and seeing it!!!***Certain phenomenoms should be viewed with an experienced pilot obviously