REFLECTOR: Dream Panel, Satellite Weather

[Sid Knox]

Scott Baker  wrote (about commercial weather braodcast services):
      (snipped)
>  - but costly nevertheless.  One hopes that as subscriber
> numbers rise, the subscription price will fall - but I think that is 
> wishful
> thinking.

I agree (about the wishful thinking).  I am wondering if the Government 
should someday begin (no-fee) transmission of  this data as a service to 
enhance flight safety.  With  the same rational that is accepted for other 
"free" radio-related survices such as AWOS/ASOS, VOR, GPS, WAAS,....
Look at the accident statistics that involve flying in or inadvertently into 
IMC.  No, I am not suggesting that having in-flight weather depiction is a 
substitute for common sense or good judgment but I think most pilots would 
agree that having real-time, in-flight weather graphics would go a long way 
towards helping to ensure a safe trip.
The politically conservative part of my brain says that this is an activity 
that should be covered by private enterprise (like Flight Service and ATC 
?.... just kidding).  The subscription price for the high-dollar commercial 
operators is less than coffee money.  But for a frugal (read "tight-wad") 
occasional cross-country  private pilot flight, the on-going monthly 
subscription costs cause me to think that perhaps, just this once, let the 
Government do it.

Sid Knox
Oklahoma

Velocity    N199RS
Starduster  N666SK
KR2         N24TC
W7QJQ


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