Met Services For Aviation

Question 1

List the met reports available for aviation

Answer 1

METAR
SPECI
TAF
AD Warning
Wind shear warning

Question 2

How often is a METAR published?

Answer 2

Every 30 minutes

Question 3

What is a SEPCI for?

Answer 3

Weather improvement or deterioration

Also required after crash

Question 4

TAFs?

Answer 4

Prepared every 3 hours for 9 hour period

24 or 30 hour tafs for long haul periods
Issued at 6 hour intervals

Trends: significant expected changes over next 2 hours

Question 5

What required an AD warning?

Answer 5

Gale/Strong winds
Squalls 
TS
GR
Fog
SN/frost 
FZ RA

Remain in force for validity of stated period

Question 6

Wind shear reports?

Answer 6

Pilot reports
Speed loss/gain/duration/effect of a/c

Cancelled when pilot says it no longer exists

Question 7

Marked temperature inversion

Answer 7

When 10 degrees + exist up to 1,000ft agl I

Question 8

SIGMET

Answer 8

Actual/anticipated weather conditions that could effect safety

Valid 4 hours

Question 9

SIGMET subsonic

Answer 9

• active TS
• FZ RA
• Severe Turbulence
• Severe Mountain Waves
• Heavy dust/sandstorms
• tropical cyclone
• Heavy Hail
• severe icing
• volcanic ash

Question 10

SIGMET Transonic

Answer 10

• Mod/Severe Turbulence
• CB clouds
• Hail
• Volcanic Ash

Question 11

Met office prepare and send SIGMET to ACC/FIC

Answer 11

True

Question 12

ACC/FIC pass SIGMET to a/c in flight 500nm ahead or 2 hours flying
Time ahead.

Answer 12

True

Question 13

Pilots should report when

AIREP

Answer 13

Severe Turbulence/ice
Mountain waves/TS/volcanic ash
Anything that could effect safety

Question 14

ATIS

Answer 14

VHF
AD status
Current weather
ATIS info code

Question 15

Met Bulletins Headings

Via AFTN or MONTE

Answer 15

SA- Routine AD report
SP- Selected Special Report

FT- AD forecast valid for 18-24 hours
FC - AD forecast valid 9-12 hours

Question 16

AD met office provides information on?

Answer 16

Forecasts 
Continuous survey of AD conditions 
Bulletins/consultations/flight docs
Relevant information 
Supply other met info to Aeronautical users 
Display avbl met info/exchange info

Question 17

What does the Met Watch office do?

Answer 17

Overview of met conditions

Prepare/supply/disseminate SIGMET

Supply volcanic ash info

Supply info about accidental release of radioactive materials

Question 18

What does the WAFC do?

Answer 18

UK operates one for Europe

Responsible for the global forecast of significant weather e.g

Wind
Temp
Humidity
Tropopause height 
max W/V direction n height

Question 19

What are AIRMETs?

Answer 19

Routine forecasts in plain language on dedicated frequency or ATIS

Valid 6 hours

Comprehensive selection of current weather less severe than SIGMET.

Question 20

ATC will only supply information given by met office except for

Answer 20

Indicates wind speed/direction

RVR observation

Controller observation of sudden deterioration

A/C reported weather hazards

Cloud Echoes on Radar

Official Met Observation

Unofficial Met observation