As technology continues to evolve, so does the way we fly. This post kicks off a new series where I explore how AI tools like ChatGPT—and other large language models (LLMs)—can assist me as a pilot. From decoding weather charts to reviewing procedures and planning routes, my goal is to understand where AI fits in the cockpit… and where it doesn’t. These posts will document real-world use cases, the good, the bad, and the surprising, all from the perspective of a pilot trying to fly smarter—not just harder.

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⚠️ Safety Warning

ChatGPT (or any AI tool) should never be your sole source of preflight information or weather interpretation. Always validate AI-generated content with official sources like NOAA, ForeFlight, or your briefer. When using ChatGPT, be explicit in your prompts and always ask for sources or reasoning behind any factual claims. Treat it as an assistant—not an authority.

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Background

As an instrument student and future instrument-rated pilot, I’ve learned that interpreting the Surface Analysis Chart—the foundation of understanding the big weather picture—is a lifelong pursuit. I know the basics about pressure systems, fronts, and troughs. But let’s be honest: trying to synthesize this into a coherent preflight narrative still feels like reading tea leaves in the dark.

That’s where I started experimenting with ChatGPT. I found that, with the right prompt, it could generate a weather synopsis that not only made sense but also gave me a framework to build my own understanding.

Let’s be clear: I don’t rely on ChatGPT’s weather analysis for flight decisions. But I do treat it as an additional lens—an assistant helping me sharpen my own thinking. I also expect that over time, as I get better at reading these charts, I’ll be able to spot errors or omissions and use that feedback to improve both the AI’s output and my own skills.

The Flight Plan

On this particular day, I planned a trip from KPAE (Paine Field, WA) to KEUG (Eugene, OR). Forecast conditions indicated definite IFR along parts of the route, particularly in the Willamette Valley.

I wanted to test how well ChatGPT could help me interpret just the Surface Analysis Chart—nothing else.

ChatGPT Prompt

My Prompt:

“I am planning a trip from KPAE to KEUG. I am attaching the surface analysis chart. Assume that my flight takes place during the time this chart is valid and without pulling any other information from the web, provide me a synopsis of the weather I should expect for this flight.”

ChatGPT’s Response

“Here’s your weather briefing for the IFR flight from KPAE (Paine Field) to KEUG (Eugene) based on the May 16, 1200Z NWS Surface Analysis Chart you provided:

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✈️ Flight Overview

• Route: KPAE → SEA → BTG → EUG → KEUG via Victor airways
• Aircraft: Cessna 172 at 11,000 ft
• Distance: 237 NM
• ETE: ~2h 52m
• Weather focus: Pacific Northwest (Western WA/OR)

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🌀 Surface Analysis Summary (Pacific Northwest)

🌡️ Pressure & Fronts:

• Weak low pressure (~1007 mb) over southern OR and NorCal.
• Offshore high pressure (~1024 mb) providing some stability.
• No significant frontal boundaries directly over WA or OR.
• General light onshore flow over western WA/OR—typical marine layer pattern.

🌧️ Precipitation and Cloud Cover:

• Scattered light rain across coastal and inland areas of WA and OR.
• Light showers are moving across the Cascades, possible mountain obscuration.
• No thunderstorms or convective activity near your route.

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⚠️ Hazard Assessment

Hazard	Condition	Notes
Ceilings	MVFR–IFR	Likely low clouds early due to marine layer, especially near EUG
Visibility	Generally VFR	Except under scattered light rain
Turbulence	Low	Light mechanical turbulence near terrain possible
Icing	Possible	Freezing levels between 8,000–10,000 ft — monitor enroute
Mountain Obscuration	Moderate	Especially over Cascades and southern OR valleys
Thunderstorms	None	No convective SIGMETs expected on your route

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💡 Flight Planning Recommendations

IFR:

• Expect IMC departure and possible IMC arrival into KEUG due to lingering low ceilings.
• Cloud tops look to be around 8,000–10,000 ft, so cruising at 11,000 ft may put you above the layer—a good candidate for VFR-on-top.
• Have an alternate ready (e.g., KSLE, KMFR) in case EUG drops below minimums.

VFR-on-Top:

• Viable, but check for tops + freezing level.
• Expect cloud layer during climb, but good potential for sunny skies on top.

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✅ TL;DR:

• Low clouds/light showers in the NW due to marine influence and weak low.
• Good chance of VFR-on-top at 11,000 ft, but be cautious of icing near cloud tops.
• Watch the arrival into KEUG — morning ceilings may still be low.
• No severe weather or fronts along route, overall favorable IFR profile with early-day IMC.

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Would you like a cloud tops forecast or check METAR/TAF conditions at KPAE and KEUG for this time?How did you derive this information?”

My Follow-up Prompt

How did you derive this information?

ChatGPT’s Explanation

Based on the surface analysis chart you provided (valid 1500Z on May 19, 2025), here’s your self-contained weather synopsis for a flight from KPAE (Paine Field, WA) to KEUG (Eugene, OR):

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🧭 Route Overview

• North-to-south IFR flight through western Washington and Oregon.
• Route stays west of the Cascades, in the lower terrain corridor.
• Approx. 237 NM, expected cruise altitude: ~11,000 ft.

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🌀 Surface Features Affecting the Route

1. Pacific Northwest

• High pressure (~1020–1024 mb) centered off the WA/OR coast, ridge extending inland.
• No frontal boundaries or closed lows directly impacting the region.
• Light surface pressure gradient = light winds and relatively stable conditions.

2. Frontal Activity

• A cold front is pushing southeast through Idaho and into the northern Rockies, but is well east of your route.
• A low-pressure system (~1000 mb) over eastern Oregon/Idaho is not influencing the west side of the Cascades much at this time.

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🌧️ Clouds & Precipitation

• No significant precipitation zones appear over western WA or OR.
• The chart shows general cloud cover across much of the region, but without active frontal forcing or convective symbols.
• Likely scenario: stratiform cloud layers, possibly broken to overcast, especially during morning hours due to residual marine layer.

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🔍 What You Can Expect (Without Live Data)

Element	Expectation
Ceilings	Likely MVFR to VFR in western WA/OR, possibly broken layers 3,000–5,000 ft AGL
Visibility	Likely good — no fog, no precipitation depicted
Precipitation	Unlikely, chart shows no active rain areas
Turbulence	Minimal, stable high pressure, no strong gradients
Icing	Possible at higher altitudes (~8,000–12,000 ft) if clouds are present — watch freezing level
Winds Aloft	Likely light to moderate headwinds from NW based on surface gradient

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✅ Synopsis Summary

Stable and benign flying conditions overall.
Expect some cloud layers—you may be in IMC during climb or descent, but cruise at 11,000 ft will likely be VFR on top. No frontal systems or precipitation in your flight path. Watch for possible light icing if climbing through clouds near the freezing level.

Would you like me to help sketch a pitch + power profile to cruise on top efficiently, assuming cloud tops around 8–10,000 ft?

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Lessons Learned

• Prompt wording matters. Without the instruction to avoid pulling outside data, ChatGPT will fetch TAFs, METARs, and winds aloft. That muddies the experiment when you’re trying to compare human and AI chart reading.
• Transparency is key. Asking ChatGPT how it arrived at its conclusions is a great way to validate its logic—and spot any errors.
• This is a tool, not a crutch. The goal is not to replace your judgment but to sharpen it.

What’s Next

In future posts, I’ll explore using ChatGPT for more comprehensive briefings, including winds aloft, TAFs, NOTAMs, and alternates. I’ll also test how well it can help decode complex prog charts, skew-Ts, and perhaps even help plan fuel stops or route changes on the fly.