Qualification and Competency
Quality-assured aeronautical meteorological services depends on the expertise, professionalism and continual development of the people who deliver it. Aviation operates in a complex, safety‑critical environment, and aeronautical meteorological personnel must meet rigorous international standards required by ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) and set by WMO (World Meteorological Organization) to ensure that every observation, forecast, warning and advisory is accurate, reliable and operationally meaningful.
Qualification requirements for aeronautical meteorological forecasters were further strengthened by WMO in 2016, when completion of the Basic Instruction Package for Meteorologists (BIP‑M) became a formal standard. This ensures that forecasters have a solid foundation in atmospheric science before progressing to aviation‑specific competencies. Ongoing professional development is also essential, with service providers expected to maintain evidence of continuous learning and operational proficiency.
Robust qualification and competency systems give aviation users confidence that the aeronautical meteorological services they rely on is produced by skilled professionals operating to internationally-recognised standards. These principles underpin every service delivered, ensuring clients receive expert, aviation‑ready insight grounded in proven capability and continual improvement.
WMO has established internationally-applicable requirements for the education and training, qualification and competency of aeronautical meteorological personnel, both observers and forecasters. Since 2013, service providers have been required to demonstrate that their staff meet WMO competency standards as part of their quality management systems, ensuring that personnel possess the knowledge and skills needed for aviation‑specific tasks. These standards are supported by structured competency frameworks, assessment toolkits, and guidance materials that help organisations implement consistent, defensible training and evaluation programmes.
