BMA 11 Flashcards

Question

Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR): METAR KPAM 011955Z ***22015KT*** 1½SM R17L/2600FT TSRA OVC010CB 18/16 A2992

Answer 1

The fifth element denotes where the winds are from at the time of the observation, and immediately follows the official time of observation. The first three characters indicate the wind direction rounded off to the nearest ten degrees true north. Following the direction is the wind speed. Wind speed will normally be reported in two characters or three when necessary. “KT” represents knots. Information on wind gusts and squalls is also included in this element and will be explained in the following paragraph. Calm winds are reported as five zeroes “00000KT.”

Answer 2

The sixth element is prevailing visibility. It is reported in statue miles (SM) and fractions. Prevailing visibility is the greatest visibility prevalent throughout one-half or more of the horizon, not necessarily continuous. Prevailing visibility is recorded in the body of the report. Phraseology: “Visibility one and one half mile.”

Answer 3

The seventh element,if reported, is the runway visual range (RVR) and is based on the visual range down the runway. Our example shows runway 17Left with a visual range of 2600 feet. The example could also be 17 Right. Runway 17L/17R identifies to the pilot which of the parallel runways the condition applies to. Phraseology: “Runway one seven left R-V-R two thousand six hundred” or “Runway one seven left visual range two thousand six hundred.”

Answer 4

The eighth element indicates the present weather phenomena group(s). The criteria for reporting a weather phenomenon is whenever it occurs. They are constructed by considering each of the following, in sequence. Phraseology: “Thunderstorms, rain.”

Answer 5

The ninth element, sky conditions, is to give you as much information as possible about clouds and obscuring phenomena. To read the cloud cover, you must add two 00s after the reported layer (OVC030 would be read overcast at 3,000’). All layers of clouds and obscuring phenomena visible from the ground are reported by contractions. Gives a summary of sky cover contractions along with their meanings. Phraseology: “Ceiling one thousand overcast, cumulonimbus.”

Answer 6

The tenth element is temperature followed by dew point, reported in two digits Celsius. The temperature/dew point spread of saturated air is considered 4 degrees or less. If saturated air is present, there is a possibility of visible moisture in the form of precipitation, mist or fog. The temperature/dew point is considered to be a single group separated by a solidus (/). Relative humidity can be computed by dividing the dew point by the temperature, in our example, the relative humidity would be 89 percent (16/18).

Answer 7

The eleventh element is the altimeter setting. The altimeter setting will be in inches of mercury, and will be coded in four digits preceded by an “A.” Phraseology: “Altimeter two niner niner two.”