Aviation Weather Services & Meteorology

Question 1

What does the term CAVOK mean?

Answer 1

Cloud and Visibility OK

• visibility of 10km or greater
• no cloud below 5000ft AGL, and no cumulonimbus cloud, and
• none of the following: precipitation, thunderstorms, mist, fog, smoke, squalls, tornados, sand/dust storms, dust devils etc

Question 2

What does the term TEMPO refer to?

Answer 2

Used to indicate a change to the prevailing conditions that are expected to last for a period of 30-60 minutes

Question 3

What does the term INTER refer to?

Answer 3

Used to indicate a change to the prevailing conditions that is expected to last for less than 30 minutes

Question 4

What is the name is of the system which provides aeronautical weather and NOTAM information and who provides this service?

Answer 4

NAIPS - National Aeronautical Information Processing System

Provided by Air Services Australia

Question 5

What is an ARFOR?

Answer 5

Area Forecast

Question 6

What is a TAF?

Answer 6

Aerodrome or Terminal Area Forecast

• expected meteorological conditions for a specified period in the airspace,
• up to 5000ft above aerodrome, and
• within a 5nm radius of aerodrome
• issued every 6 hours, 4 times per day (24hr period) - 0000, 0600, 1200, 1800 Z/UTC (0800, 1400, 2000, 0200 WST)
• a TAF is not available at every aerodrome

Question 7

What is a GAF?

Answer 7

General Area Forecast.

GAFs provide information on weather, cloud, visibility, icing, turbulence and freezing level in a graphical layout for a broad area/ cross-section from surface level to 10,000ft AMSL.

GAFs are issued for 2300-0500, 0500-1100, 1100-1700 and 1700-2300 Z/UTC. Two GAFs are generated at any one time, therefore providing a validity period of 12hrs.

Question 8

What is a SPECI?

Answer 8

A special report of meteorological conditions issued ONLY when one or more elements meet specified criteria significant to aviation

Question 9

What is a METAR?

Answer 9

A routine report of meteorological conditions at an aerodrome issed at 30min intervals

Question 10

What is a SPECI?

Answer 10

A special report of meteorological conditions issued ONLY when one or more elements meet specified criteria significant to aviation

Question 11

What is a TTF?

Answer 11

Trend Type Forecast.

Question 12

How is a TAF3 different to a TAF?

Answer 12

A TAF3 is issued every 3hrs, not every 6hrs

Question 13

What does VMC refer to?

Answer 13

Visual Meteorological Conditions