Facts (Part 3)

Question 1

What is a NOTAM?

Answer 1

Notices to Airmen – ex: new restricted airspace rules – applies to info about timely and emergency things

Question 2

Where should you go to get info on a NOTAM?

Answer 2

1800WXBrief.com

Question 3

What is a METAR?

Answer 3

Meteorological Aviation Report: have weather info

Question 4

What is a TAF?

Answer 4

Terminal Aerodrome Forecast: also has weather info

Question 5

What are the first 3 sections of a METAR report? (see screenshot or go to youtube video: 1:10)

Answer 5

METAR = type of report

KGGG = K plus the 3 letters of the airport

161753Z = Z is indication for Greenwich time, so 16 is day of the month, and 17:53 is 24 hour time for 5:53 PM on the 16th of the month

Question 6

What does the 2nd line of the sample METAR report mean? (see screenshot or go to youtube video: 1:10)

Answer 6

AUTO = Auto generated report

14021G26KT = indicates wind speed;140 = degrees, so 140 degrees or south east winds

21 = 21 knots

G26 = “Gusting” to 26 Knots

KT = abbreviation for knots

So for the above = 140 degree winds at 21 to 26 knots

Question 7

What if you see this on a METAR report: “VRB05KT” – what does it mean?

Answer 7

VRB = Variable wind speed at 5 knots

Question 8

What is the third line of a METAR report? (see screenshot or go to youtube video: 1:10)

Answer 8

3/4 SM = 3/4 of a statute mile, so you have 3/4 sm of visibility

+TSRA BR = indicates what weather actually is

TSRA = thunderstorms and rain showers

BR = mist

+ = indicator of intensity, so + is heavy

BKN008 = cloud cover – BKN = broken clouds at 800 feet (remember to add two zeroes to it)

Question 9

What is the fourth line of a METAR report? (see screenshot or go to youtube video: 1:10)

Answer 9

OVC012CB = Overcast clouds at 1200 feet

CB = type of cloud; so here it is cumulounimbus clouds

18/17 = 18 degrees celsius and 17 dew point