WSI's Enhanced PILOTbrief Vector Y2K Certified; Y2K-Compliant, Networkable Version of Popular PILOTbrief Vector System Unveiled

Business Wire, Oct 19, 1998

BILLERICA, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 19, 1998--Weather Services International Corporation (WSI), a global leader in real-time weather data, imagery and weather forecast services, today unveiled an enhanced, FAA-certified Year 2000 (Y2K) compliant version of its PILOTbrief Vector(TM) pre-flight weather briefing system at the 51st Annual Meeting and Conference of the National Business Aviation Association in Las Vegas, NV. The new version is also networkable, allowing any PC user with an Ethernet TCP/IP connection rapid access.

"This is an ideal product for air traffic specialists as well as pilots and dispatchers," said Kent Simons, WSI's manager for government business development. "This version contains a broader weather data product base and an enhanced user interface that gives users the capability for layering aeronautical information relevant to controllers and Flight Service Specialists," he continued.

The Y2K certification allows WSI to continue serving FAA Flight Service Stations, where weather graphics have been provided since 1987. PILOTbrief Vector's Y2K certification is in compliance with the FAA's National Y2K Compliance Program, meaning that PILOTbrief Vector has proven it will operate equally well on January 1, 2000 as it does currently.

Simons explained, "The entire Y2K compliance program is to ensure the continued safety of vital FAA systems, including WSI products." By mandate, every product the FAA currently uses or will purchase must be Y2K compliant by early next year.

"PILOTbrief Vector revolutionizes the way professional pilots receive flight weather and graphics," WSI's Aviation Market Manager, Arlo Gambell, said. "One of the things that makes PILOTbrief Vector so incredible is its speed," he said. "It's the fastest service available in the industry. A new high-speed VelocitySM system from Microspace Communications Corp. and a new micro-processor chip make PILOTbrief Vector up to 13 times faster than other delivery systems, so there is virtually no wait for images to download." He concluded that PILOTbrief Vector, "represents the next generation in aviation weather briefing systems."

PILOTbrief Vector is a user-friendly, low-cost, stand alone, technologically advanced weather briefing system providing continuously updated, satellite-delivered weather data and imagery 24 hours a day. Weather products accessible with PILOTbrief Vector include: national and regional NOWrad(R) radar mosaics (updated every 15 minutes), AVcharTSSM (full-color custom aviation graphics), high-resolution satellite imagery, METARs, TAFs, and NOTAMs. This version of PILOTbrief Vector also features a host of new products including single site NEXRAD radar, pilot reports, area forecasts, upper-air analysis charts, SIGMETs, AIRMETs, convective SIGMETs, and Center Weather Advisories, all of which combine to give pilots, fixed-based operations, and dispatchers reliable weather information.

Weather Services International Corporation is one of the world's largest suppliers of real-time weather data, imagery and weather forecast services to commercial customers in the broadcast media, aviation, utilities, government and agriculture industries.

More information about WSI can be found at www.wsicorp.com.

WSI and NOWrad are registered trademarks, PILOTbrief Vector is a trademark, and AVcharts is a service mark of WSI Corporation. Velocity is a service mark of Microspace Communications Corp.