In an era where smartphones and tablets have revolutionized aviation, pilots have access to a wealth of weather information at their fingertips. Apps like ForeFlight, Garmin Pilot, iFlightPlanner, and others offer real-time METARs, TAFs, radar overlays, and flight planning tools, making preflight preparation faster and more efficient than ever. Yet, amid this technological boom, a crucial skill is fading into obscurity: the art of calling a human weather briefer for a personalized briefing.

As a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) with years of experience administering practical tests, I’ve witnessed firsthand how this shift is affecting new generations of pilots. Many newer aviators have become overly dependent on digital tools, shying away from the phone in favor of quick app glances. Often, they only check a couple of items, like the local METAR and the TAF at the airport they are operating from, and nothing more.

The reluctance to call for a phone briefing not only limits their understanding of weather contexts but also fosters a superficial approach to flight safety. It’s time we revive this “lost art” by encouraging Certified Flight Instructors (CFIs) to integrate traditional briefings into training operations.

To understand the problem, let’s trace the evolution of weather briefings in general aviation. Historically, pilots relied on Flight Service Stations (FSS) operated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or contractors like Leidos, which runs the 1-800-WX-BRIEF service. Before the widespread adoption of the internet and mobile apps, obtaining a weather briefing meant picking up the phone or visiting an FSS in person. Briefers—certified specialists trained in meteorology and aviation—would provide tailored information based on the pilot’s flight plan, including adverse conditions, NOTAMs, and forecasts along the route. This process was interactive; pilots could ask questions, clarify ambiguities, and gain insights that raw data couldn’t convey. Often, briefers would offer additional information even if the pilot didn’t specifically request it, giving hints about what to evaluate or providing a broader picture of regional weather.

The advent of electronic flight bags (EFBs) has changed much—mostly for the better, though a few things have suffered. EFB-based flight planning has quickly become a staple for its intuitive interface, integrating sectional charts, weather layers, and flight filing. Plus, printed charts are now hard to find. These tools have undeniable benefits: they save time, reduce paperwork, stay easily up-to-date, and allow for self-briefing, which the FAA increasingly encourages as part of its transition away from mandatory call-in services. According to FAA guidelines, pilots are now expected to use a variety of sources for preflight information under 14 CFR 91.103, which requires familiarity with all available data concerning the flight. Apps make this compliance easier, offering everything from satellite imagery to winds aloft in one place—assuming the pilot goes deeper than just the local METAR and TAF.

However, this convenience has bred dependency, particularly among pilots in training. Too often, newer pilots treat apps as the sole source of truth, bypassing deeper analysis. This isn’t just anecdotal; the FAA’s own advisory circulars, like AC 91-92 (Pilot’s Guide to a Preflight Briefing), emphasize that while self-briefing is valuable, it should complement—not replace—professional input when needed.

Why are younger pilots so reluctant to call a briefer? The reasons are multifaceted. First, generational comfort with technology plays a role. Millennials and Gen Z pilots, raised on apps and instant gratification, view calling as antiquated and time-consuming. Why dial a number when an app can pull up a TAF in seconds? Second, there’s an element of intimidation. Speaking to a certified briefer requires articulating a flight plan clearly and fielding questions, which can feel daunting for students still building confidence. CFIs need to help pilots develop this skill during initial training.

In my experience as a DPE, this reluctance often shows up during checkrides. Frequently, when I text an applicant in the morning asking, “Are we still good to go for the checkride today?” the response is something like, “The current METAR is OK.”

But when a DPE texts at 6:15 a.m., it might be a hint that something in the weather could make the day questionable. The current METAR may be fine at one airport, but nearby airports could be reporting 300-overcast ceilings with one-mile visibility and mist. Does the TAF indicate thunderstorms at 8am? Have you checked radar for approaching precipitation? These are exactly the questions pilots need to consider before a checkride—or any flight. Sometimes it’s a matter of timing: weather may improve by departure, requiring a combination of ground prep and in-flight reassessment.

The app-centric approach leads to incomplete briefings and potential safety gaps. METARs provide current conditions, and TAFs forecast terminal weather, but they don’t always capture the full story. Without context from a briefer, a pilot might overlook a developing squall line or widespread low ceilings en route. The FAA’s General Aviation Pilot’s Guide to Preflight Weather Planning stresses the importance of obtaining a “standard briefing” that includes adverse conditions—something apps can display but often require manual cross-referencing. Many applicants struggle to interpret beyond surface-level data, relying on app-generated “go/no-go” indicators without understanding the underlying meteorology. This superficiality can be dangerous; weather-related accidents often stem from inadequate preflight planning.

You can dig deeper on apps by reviewing forecast discussions, prog charts, radar summaries, and standard METAR/TAF data, but it takes more effort. A best practice is to do that self-study and then call a briefer. This approach gives you context, allowing you to focus and understand what the briefer communicates.

Briefers help pilots form a broader understanding of trends. They might say, “The TAF shows [this], but it’s 4–5 hours old, and the forecasted clearing isn’t developing as expected.” These insights come from years of professional experience that pilots can leverage to enhance their preflight decision-making.

Moreover, calling a briefer provides legal and practical safeguards. A recorded phone briefing serves as evidence of compliance with 14 CFR 91.103, invaluable if issues arise, such as an unexpected TFR (Temporary Flight Restriction). Briefers can also provide region-specific advice, such as emphasizing microclimates around the Great Lakes or Pacific Northwest that apps generalize. Standard briefings cover everything: synopsis, current conditions, en route forecasts, destination weather, winds aloft, NOTAMs, and more—helping pilots build a mental model of the flight and boost confidence.

The benefits extend beyond data acquisition. Human briefers interpret trends algorithms might miss, such as subtle shifts in pressure systems or recent PIREPs. A 2024 FAA presentation recommended combining self-study with standard briefings, monitoring patterns up to seven days prior. Most pilots don’t do that—but briefers do.

CFIs play a critical role. Start early in training by requiring students to call for briefings during dual instruction. Sit with them as they dial 1-800-WX-BRIEF, guiding them through providing aircraft type, departure time, route, and altitude. Debrief afterward—what did the briefer highlight that the app didn’t? Hands-on practice demystifies the process and builds communication skills essential for ATC interactions.

Reviving the lost art of calling for a weather briefing isn’t about rejecting technology; it’s about enhancing it. App-based information is the appetizer—it gets you started. The phone briefing is the main course, filling in context and depth.

As aviation evolves and more pilots take to the skies, fostering comprehensive weather literacy is paramount. CFIs, get your students calling more frequently and demystify the experience. Most briefers welcome the interaction—they want to talk weather!

Pilots who have never called a briefer: try it before your next flight. Rip the band-aid off—it won’t hurt. The briefer won’t bite or yell.