Review SIGMET, GI, weather, and altimeter information to begin the position relief process

Outline (skeleton)

• Hook: In a busy radar room, relief isn’t just swapping seats — it’s starting with the right picture.

• Core idea: The very first action in the position relief process is to view SIGMET, GI, weather, and altimeter information.

• What each piece means:

• SIGMET: significant weather hazards to watch for

• GI: the graphic information on the radar display

• Weather: current reports and trends

• Altimeter: pressure setting for accuracy

• Why start here: builds situational awareness, anchors decisions, smooths the handoff

• How to do it in practice: concise, repeatable steps you can rely on

• Pitfalls to avoid: outdated data, missing altimeter, ignoring GI overlays

• A quick analogy and wrap-up: it’s the weather report, the map, and the cue to act — all in one place

First move that makes sense: view SIGMET, GI, weather, and altimeter

Let me explain the moment you take your place in the relieving position. The scene is busy, the room hums with radios and screens, and every decision matters. The first move isn’t a flashy toggle or a dramatic command. It’s the simple, essential step of getting the lay of the land — fast and accurate. That means looking at four critical inputs: SIGMET, GI, weather, and altimeter information.

What is SIGMET, anyway?

SIGMET stands for Significant Meteorological Information. It’s the heads-up about weather hazards that could affect flight safety — things like severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, severe icing, or strong turbulence. Reading SIGMET early helps you understand where the trouble spots are and how they might drift during your watch. It’s not trivia; it’s the weather warning you don’t want to miss.

And GI, what’s that?

GI stands for Graphic Information. On radar displays, GI overlays show weather patterns, front positions, and sometimes airspace restrictions. This visual layer helps you spot trends at a glance — where weather is growing, where echoes cluster, and how those patterns might interact with nearby traffic. GI is your map, not a decoration.

Weather reports, plain and current

Weather data isn’t just “nice to have.” It’s the live feed that keeps decisions grounded. METARs, trends, and radar trends together tell you how conditions are evolving. Is the ceiling lifting? Is a line of convective activity marching toward a sector boundary? Spotting fresh weather information in real time helps you plan the handoff with confidence.

Altimeter information matters

The altimeter setting, the QNH you’ll often see, is the pressure correction for your altitude reference. If you’re reading a wrong altimeter, you’ll misjudge altitude, separation, and even approach spacing. Starting with the correct altimeter is a small thing that prevents a big misstep later.

Putting it together: why this order matters

Starting with SIGMET, GI, weather, and altimeter isn’t a random sequence. It’s a deliberate routine designed to establish situational awareness fast. Here’s why this order makes sense:

• SIGMET gets your attention to hazards upfront, shaping risk assessment early in the handoff.

• GI then translates those hazards into a visual frame you can scan quickly amid other tasks.

• Weather adds the dynamic context — live shifts, fronts, echoes — so you aren’t chasing stale data.

• Altimeter tightens the precision, ensuring your altitude readings and spacing are accurate as you engage with the radar and other tools.

Think of it like prepping for a long drive. Before you step on the accelerator, you check the forecast, pull up the map, confirm the road conditions, and set the trip’s reference height. If any of those pieces is off, the rest of the trip can go off course. The same logic applies when you’re taking over a radar position.

How to perform this first action in a practical, repeatable way

Here’s a straightforward routine you can slide into your shift without breaking rhythm. It’s short, repeatable, and leaves you with a solid picture to guide the next steps.

• Open SIGMET and GI windows first

• Scan for active hazards and overlays.

• Note the regions affected and any time constraints. If a SIGMET is in effect, pin down its duration and location.

• Confirm that GI overlays match what you expect to see in the sector.

• Check weather updates

• Read current METARs and weather trends for nearby airports and the sector.

• Look for changes in wind, visibility, cloud cover, and precipitation that could affect traffic and routing.

• Compare weather expectations with what the radar is showing in the near term.

• Verify altimeter settings

• Note the altimeter (QNH) for the area. Ensure you’re using the correct setting for altitude readouts and flight levels.

• If there’s a discrepancy between stations, flag it and verify the most authoritative source before moving forward.

• Synthesize the picture

• Bring SIGMET, GI, weather, and altimeter together in your mind. Ask yourself: Where are the hazards relative to the traffic mix? What does the weather trend mean for planned handoffs and routing? Are altitude readings consistent with the planned flow?

• Write down quick notes if it helps you lock the understanding in place. The goal is a clear, shared mental model when you hand off to the next controller.

A few practical tips to keep the flow smooth

• Keep it simple and fast. You’re building a snapshot, not an essay. A few lines of notes can be enough to anchor decisions.

• Don’t skip the update check. Data ages quickly in a radar environment. If one source looks stale, confirm with another.

• Use concise language when communicating with the team. Short phrases reduce ambiguity and keep the handoff clean.

• If you notice a mismatch between GI and weather, pause and reconcile. It’s better to double-check now than chase a moving target later.

• Treat altimeter like a compass. A tiny misalignment can throw off multiple decisions downstream.

Common pitfalls and how to dodge them

Even seasoned controllers can slip into a few traps if they rush the first step. Here are some reminders to stay sharp:

• Outdated data: Always confirm you’re looking at the latest SIGMET, GI, and weather info. If you see a timestamp, compare it to the current moment.

• Missing altimeter: Skipping altimeter settings is a sneaky way to invite mistakes. It’s a quick check that pays off in safer, cleaner handoffs.

• GI misreads: Overlays can be misinterpreted if you don’t cross-check with weather. Take a moment to verify that the graphical layer aligns with the textual reports.

• Cognitive overload: When the room’s loud, commit to one clear, repeatable sequence. You’ll move faster and make fewer errors.

• Handoff gaps: The first action should seed a shared mental model. If the next controller doesn’t get the same picture, you’ll see friction in the handoff. Clear, focused communication helps prevent that.

A relatable analogy to keep it grounded

Think of it like preparing for a road trip with a group. Before you pull out of the driveway, you check the weather forecast, map the route, glance at road conditions, and set the GPS. If the forecast says storms are brewing, you’ll pick a safer route or adjust timing. If the GPS shows detours, you’ll reposition sooner rather than later. In radar terms, SIGMET is the weather forecast, GI is the map, weather is the road report, and the altimeter is your GPS altitude rhythm. Start with that bundle, and you’ll navigate the airspace more confidently.

Real-world context: why this matters beyond a single shift

The position relief process is designed to ensure a smooth, safe transition across shifts. When you begin with a solid information foundation, you set up a chain of reliable decisions. The aircraft exchange happens with less friction, and the incoming team can pick up where you left off with clarity. It’s not about checking a box; it’s about preserving situational awareness for every aircraft in the sector.

Bringing it all together

The first action in the position relief process is more than a checkbox. It’s a deliberate, practical step that anchors the handoff in reality: view SIGMET, GI, weather, and altimeter information. By starting here, the incoming controller gains a coherent picture of hazards, weather evolution, and altitude references. This almost ceremonial beginning isn’t about grand gestures; it’s about reliability, precision, and safety.

If you’re ever tempted to rush, pause instead. Take that moment to confirm the four pillars. SIGMET to GI to weather to altimeter. The rhythm isn’t just a habit; it’s a safeguard that pays off throughout the shift. And when you connect this structured start to the rest of the SOPs, you create a level of consistency that helps every aircraft under your watch reach its destination smoothly.

In the grand scheme, it’s a small act with outsized impact. View SIGMET, GI, weather, and altimeter. Then move on to the radar tasks with a clear head and a steady hand. The result isn’t just compliance—it's quieter skies, safer flights, and more confident teamwork. And that’s worth aiming for, every shift.