*2B Weather - Obtaining Weather Information

Question 0

1. What is the primary means of obtaining a weather briefing?
   (AIM 7-1-2)

Answer 0

The primary source is an individual briefing obtained from a briefer at the AFSS/FSS. These briefings, which are tailored to your specific flight, are available 24 hours a day through the use of the toll-free number (1-800-WX BRIEF).

Question 1

2. What are some examples of other sources of weather information?
   (AIM 7-1-2)

Answer 1

a. Telephone Information Briefing Service (TIBS) (AFSS).
b. Weather and aeronautical information available from numerous private industry sources.
c. Direct User Access Terminal System (DUATS) can be accessed by pilots with a current medical certificate toll-free in the 48 contiguous states via personal computer.
d. In Alaska, Transcribed Weather Broadcast (TWEB) and telephone access to the TWEB (TEL-TWEB).

Question 2

3. Where can you find a listing of AFSS/FSS and weather information numbers?
   (AIM 7-1-2)

Answer 2

Numbers for these services can be found in the Airport/Facility Directory under the “FAA and NWS Telephone Numbers” section. They are also listed in the U.S. Government section of the local telephone directory.

Question 3

4. What types of weather briefings are available from an AFSS/FSS briefer?
   (AIM 7-1-4)

Answer 3

Standard Briefing—Request when you are planning a flight and you have not received a previous briefing or have not received preliminary information through mass dissemination media (TIBS, TWEB in Alaska only, etc.).
Abbreviated Briefing—Request when you need information to supplement mass disseminated data, update a previous briefing, or when you need only one or two items.
Outlook Briefing—Request whenever your proposed time of departure is six or more hours from the time of the briefing; for planning purposes only.
Inflight Briefing—Request when needed to update a preflight briefing.

Question 4

5. What pertinent information should a weather briefing include?
   (AIM 7-1-4)

Answer 4

a. Adverse Conditions
b. VFR Flight Not Recommended
c. Synopsis
d. Current Conditions
e. Enroute Forecast
f. Destination Forecast
g. Winds Aloft
h. Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs)
i. ATC Delay
j. Pilots may obtain the following from FSS briefers upon request: information on special use airspace (SUA) and SUA-related airspace, including alert areas, MOAs, MTRs (IFR, VFR, VR, and SR training routes), warning areas, and ATC assigned airspace (ATCAA); a review of the printed NOTAM publication; approximate density altitude data; information on air traffic services and rules; customs/immigration procedures; ADIZ rules; search and rescue; LORAN-C and military NOTAMs; runway friction measurement value NOTAMs; GPS RAIM availability; and other assistance as required.

Question 5

6. What is EFAS?

AIM 7-1-5

Answer 5

En route Flight Advisory Service (EFAS) is a service specifically designed to provide enroute aircraft with timely and meaningful weather advisories pertinent to the type of flight intended, route of flight, and altitude. In conjunction with this service, EFAS is also a central collection and distribution point for pilot reported weather information (PIREPs). EFAS provides communications capabilities for aircraft flying at 5,000 feet above ground level to 17,500 feet MSL on a common frequency of 122.0 MHz. It is also known as “Flight Watch.”

Question 6

7. What is HIWAS?

AIM 7-1-10

Answer 6

Hazardous In-flight Weather Advisory Service (HIWAS) is a continuous broadcast of in-flight weather advisories including summarized Aviation Weather Warnings, SIGMETs, Convective SIGMETs, Center Weather Advisories, AIRMETs, and urgent PIREPs. HIWAS is an additional source of hazardous weather information which makes this data available on a continuous basis. Navaids with HIWAS capability are depicted on sectional carts with an “H” in the upper right corner of the identification box. Where implemented, HIWAS alerts are broadcast on all except emergency frequencies once upon receipt by ARTCC, terminal facilities, and AFSS/FSSs.

Question 7

8. What is a “flight information service” (FIS)?

AIM 7-1-11

Answer 7

FIS is a method of receiving aviation weather and other operational data in the cockpit that augments traditional pilot voice communication with FSS or ATC facilities. It is not intended to replace traditional pilot and controller/FSS preflight briefings or inflight voice communications.