How to get a local area weather briefing

1. See item #7 below and write down all the information you are going to say before you call. You can print and fill in this form to help.
2. Call 1-800-wx-brief - It is an automated system that responds to voice or number inputs which are followed by a briefer.
3. Say "Briefer"
4. Say "Colorado" or the name of the state you are in.
5. When the briefer picks up say "Hi I am a student pilot and I would like to get a local weather briefing"
6. At this point it may seem natural to pause and wait for the briefer but really he is normally going to wait for you to contine with the information he needs.
7. Say the following " It is a VFR flight, aircraft identification (then say the N number of your aircraft ex. N645SP), Aircraft type C172 special equipment U (assuming its a Cessna 172), departure point (then the letters of the airport you are at ex. KAPA), departure time (then the time in zulu time you will be off the ground),crusing altitude (then the main altitude you will be flying at MSL ex. 8500ft), Route of flight local, destination (then the same airport you said before ex. KAPA) time enroute (then the amount of time you will be flying ex. 2 hours)
8. Now get ready to write the briefer is going to give you METARS and TAF's, Area forecast, NOTAMS, Severe weather advisories etc