Thunderstorms are powerful natural phenomena that can reek havoc to people and structure on the ground, and certainly present extreme airborn hazards to pilots of all types. Weather safety planning for both local and long-distance flights requires knowledge of how to avoid active thunderstorms and how to be aware of the conditions that could cause new thunderstorms to arise along your route of flight.
In this safety seminar, San Carlos Flight Center invites CFI Amelia Vaith to share her knowledge and experience of thunderstorms, to explore the formation of thunderstorms, the hazards they pose to pilots, and best practices for avoiding them. She will break down real-world scenarios, including some from her personal experiences, to highlight the risks of extreme convective weather and how to make informed decisions in-flight.
Whether you’re a student pilot or an experienced aviator, this discussion will provide practical strategies to enhance your weather awareness and keep you safe in thunderstorm-prone areas. We hope you can join us.
Amelia Vaith is a Flight Instructor at San Carlos Flight Center with experience flying in diverse regions, including Florida, which has the highest thunderstorm frequency in the U.S. She trained at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and has flown in a variety of challenging weather conditions, building a strong foundation in weather awareness and decision-making. Amelia is passionate about aviation safety, and enjoys sharing her knowledge to help pilots recognize, avoid, and safely navigate thunderstorms with confidence.
