BRIEFINGS

Question 1

AAW

Answer 1

Aviation Area Winds
True
Up to 10,000ft AMSL
Also includes temp forecasts from 5000ft up.

Question 2

GRAFOR

Answer 2

Graphical aviation forecast
Up to 10,000ft AMSL
Each weather section identifies the worst conditions expected. (vis, cloud, wx)
Also provides spot FZL and fronts

Question 3

GRAFOR validity times

Answer 3

0600, 1200, 1800, 0000L
Some elements are valid at time of issue, HOWEVER, other elements are valid within +/- 3hrs of the stated validity time.

Question 4

GRAFOR Terminology;
MON
COT
BDRY
CONS
DTRT
EXC
VAL
LAN
MT
MTW
WI

Answer 4

MON: Above mountains
COT: At the coast
BDRY: boundary
CONS: continuous
DTRT: deteriorating
EXC: except
VAL: in valleys
LAN: inland
MT: mountain
MTW: mountain waves
WI: within

Question 5

Cloud bases 0-8

Answer 5

NSC (<3 oktas and/or bases above 10,000ft)
FEW: 1-2
SCT: 3-4
BKN: 5-7
OVC: 8

Question 6

ISOL?

Answer 6

Isolated. Area with Max spatial coverage of up to 50%

Question 7

OCNL?

Answer 7

Occasional. Area with Max spatial coverage of 50-75%

Question 8

FRQ?

Answer 8

Frequent. Area with Max spatial coverage of >75%

Question 9

XXX in GRAFOR?

Answer 9

Tops above the chart (>10,000ft)

Question 10

GRAFOR SIGWX Terminology;
DR
BL
GS
GR
SG
IC
DU
SA
SQ
FC
PO
SS
DS

Answer 10

DR: low drifting
BL: blowing
GS: Small hail
GR: Hail
SG: Snow grains
IC: Ice crystals
DU: Widespread dust
SA: Sand
SQ: Squall
FC: Funnel clouds (tornadoes/water spouts)
PO: Dust/sand whirls (dust devils)
SS: Sandstorm
DS: Dust storm

Question 11

GNZSIGWX

Answer 11

Graphical NZ significant WX
Feet AMSL
Identify areas of Moderate hazards

Question 12

GSM/SIGMET

Answer 12

Graphical SIGMET monitor
SIGMET: Significant Meteorological info for pilots
issued for Observed OR forecast hazards.

Question 13

What are SIGMETs issued for

Answer 13

TS
TC
Sev Turb
Sev icing
Sev MTW
Heavy SS or DS
Volcanic ash cloud/activity

Question 14

SIGMET Issue cycle & validity/review

Answer 14

Each SIGMET is numbered consecutively, and reset to 01 and 0001 UTC.
Valid for 4 hours from issue, but reviewed after 3.

Question 15

SIGMET Validity for TC/VH?

Answer 15

Valid for 6 hours from issue, but reviewed after 5.
Include an outlook (OTLK) for 12hrs after end of 6hr validity period.

Question 16

SIGMET Terminology;
INTSF
WKN
NC
STNR

Answer 16

INTSF: intensifying
WKN: weakening
NC: no change in intensity
STNR: stationary

Question 17

TAF
Validity?

Answer 17

Terminal Aerodrome Forecast
Forecast wx conditions within 8km radius
12hr standard validity. 24hrs for international airports.

Question 18

TAF issue frequency?

Answer 18

International: 4 times per day, approx 1hr prior to validity period.
Domestic: 0600/1800z

Question 19

TAF AMD

Answer 19

Amended TAF, issued when wx deteriorates/improves;

(Table GEN 3.5-4)

Question 20

TREND - attached to? Airports? Validity?

Answer 20

Appended to METAR, METAR AUTO or SPECI for AA, CH, WN, OH and WP.
Valid for two hours from issue time of the original product.

Question 21

TREND: how to read

Answer 21

The TREND forecast will take priority over the original forecast for the 2hr validity period.
The weather in the original product will form the first part of the 2hr forecast.

Question 22

METAR

Answer 22

Meteorological Aerodrome report
MANUALLY produced wx report of actual conditions.
issued every hour on the hour during ATC on watch times.
Milford sound, WP & OH only

Question 23

SPECI

Answer 23

Special Meteorological Aerodrome report.
MANUALLY produced report of poor wx conditions.
Issued at times other than the top of the hour

Question 24

SPECI issued when?

Answer 24

Significant wind change
Cloud base <1500ft
Vis <8000m

Question 25

METAR AUTO

Answer 25

Automated routine actual weather reports issued every half hour, 24hrs a day. Used as weather OBSERVATIONS, not forecasts.

Question 26

True vs. mag rule

Answer 26

Written: True
Spoken: Mag (ATIS)

Question 27

BCFG?

Answer 27

Patches of fog

Question 28

SKC

Answer 28

Sky clear: 0 oktas of cloud within 8km

Question 29

NSC

Answer 29

Nil Sig Cloud, nil CB or TCU observed at any height, and no cloud below highest minimum sector altitude

Question 30

CAVOK

Answer 30

Cloud and Visibility OK;
Vis >10km
Nil Cb or TCU
No cloud below 5000ft or highest minimum sector altitude

Question 31

NOSIG

Answer 31

Wx expected to stay the same for 2hrs

Question 32

TEMPO

Answer 32

Temporary changes, each lasting <60mins during specified time frame. Temp conditions are less dominant than original forecast conditions

Question 33

WS Rdrdr

Answer 33

Windshear designated runway

Question 34

COR

Answer 34

text has been corrected

Question 35

//
///
////
/////////

Answer 35

//: Inserted into METAR AUTO where sensor is unable to detect weather.
///: AWS unable to detect if cloud types are CB or TCU
////: Vis is not reported
/////////: Cloud is not reported (faulty sensor)

Question 36

VV001

Answer 36

Vertical visibility is 100ft

Question 37

VC

Answer 37

In the vicinity (between 8-16km of AD ref point)

Question 38

Codes for significant present/forecast wx at an AD:
MI
BC
PR
PL

Answer 38

MI: Shallow
BC: Patches
PR: Partial
PL: Ice pellets

Question 39

GS vs. GR

Answer 39

GS <5mm in diameter
GR >5mm

Question 40

FG vs BR vs HZ

Answer 40

FG: vis <1000m
BR: vis 1000-5000m
HZ: vis <5000m, reduction caused by something other than water or ice

Question 41

ROFOR

Answer 41

Route Forecast
Tailored forecast of spot winds and temps.
In 1000ft increments from 5000ft - FL500
Accuracy usually within 10deg & 5kts