Safety Advisors The AOPA Air Safety Foundation's Safety Advisors describe aviation specific topics in areas ranging from Weather to Operations and Proficiency.
Aircraft Safety HighLights	Operations and Proficiency		Physiology
Regulations	Technology		Training
Weather
"Mountain Flying" is a full-length course that highlights the unique risks of mountain flying and focuses on aircraft performance, flight planning, weather, terrain avoidance, and emergencies.
The "Avoiding Thunderstorms" four-minute mini-course teaches how to use ATC radar services near areas of convective activity. Listen to actual ATC transmissions and learn about ATC services, recent enhancements in controllers' weather radar displays, and the importance of giving pilot reports.
Q: When I hear "thunderstorm in the vicinity" from the airport automated weather report, how close is the storm to the airport?
A: Advisory Circular 150/5220-16C helps define the criteria for how thunderstorms are reported via an automated weather report. The sensors use lightning strike detection within a  30-nautical- mile ring around the airport to determine how to report thunderstorm activity.   If a thunderstorm is within 5 nm of an airport, you will hear "thunderstorm at the airport." Between 5 nm and 10 nm, you will hear "thunderstorm in the vicinity."   If a thunderstorm is detected more than 10 nm and within 30 nm from the airport, you will hear a quadrant or sector designation. For example, "lightning northeast" or "lightning southwest and north."   You'll also find a collection of thunderstorm articles and information in AOPA's subject report, Thunderstorm Avoidance.