Connecting Forecasting and Flight

On 2 July, MetService Account Manager Aviation Sales, James Vernon and three of our Aviation Forecasters Surprise Mhlongo, Sophie Cook and Lee Anne Alcantara took a trip to Palmerston North to visit Massey University School of Aviation.

On the way there, the team stopped in for a tour organised by one of our key aviation customers, the Royal New Zealand Air Force of the Ohakea airbase. They spent time with the Air Force's Central Flying School, No. 3 Squadron who operate the helicopter fleet and went up the Ohakea air traffic control tower. Our forecasters also got to experience the NH90 flight simulator, seeing firsthand how low cloud, reduced visibility and fog affect operations.

At Massy Aviation School, the group toured the campus and discussed how MetService aviation forecasts are used in training and daily operations. The visit finished with a two-hour session for around 40 aspiring pilots during their final PPL meteorology lesson, covering MetService’s role, what a typical Aviation Forecaster shift looks like and an extended Q&A.

This was our third session delivered in partnership with Massey and a valuable opportunity to hear directly from current and future aviation users. Thanks to Massey and RNZAF Base Ohakea for hosting us.