METARs, TAFs, ATIS Flashcards
Define METAR
Meteorological Aerodrome Report: Standardized code used to report weather conditions for pilots and meteorologists.
Define ICAO
International Civil Aviation Organization: Law and Standards airlines follow across the globe.
Purpose: Safe and orderly development of interanational aviation.
How often are METAR weather reports transmitted?
Every hour
What type of report would be issued to update for rapidly changing weather conditions?
SPECI, of special METAR report
ow should the six-digit date and time e interpreted in a METAR report
First two digits are the day of the present month
Followed by 4 digits (Hour and Minutes) Zulu time UTC (Coordinated Universal Time
What modified is induced if the report was issued with no human intervention ?
AUTO
What do the first three digits of a coded wind group indicate in METAR?
The direction of the wind in degree.
What would 5SM indicate in METAR?
Surface visibility of five statute miles
What weather would be shown as “+SHRA” on METAR?
Heavy Rain Showers
Define the amount of cloud coverage sky clear?
Sky Clear- Fine
Define sky coverage for, FEW
Few clouds, 1/8 of the sky covered or less, but not zero — Fine
Define sky coverage, scattered
Sky covered 3/8-4/8
Define sky covered, broken
Sky covered at 5/8-7/8
Define sky covered, overcast
8/8 or Overcast
METAR temperature and dew point are reported in what units?
Celsius
How would a sea level pressure reading of 30.17” of mercury be reported in a METAR
A3017
Decode the following METAR
METAR KJFK 022147Z 03012G18KT 6SM BR BRK012 BKN050 13/07 A2989
Regular METAR
Airport John F Kennedy
Time and Date: 02 of current month 21 hour 47 minutes Zulu time
Wind 030 Degrees at 12 Knots Gusting 18
Visibility 6 Statute Miles
Weather: Mist
Clouds: First layer broken at 1,200 ft second layer broken at 5,000ft
Temperature 13* C Due point 07* C
Alter terrain 29.89” of Mercury
What is the coverage area forecast in a Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF)?
TAFs cover an area of 5 statute miles around the airport.
Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts are updated __________ and the forecast is valid or for ________.
4 times a day; 24 hours
If surface visibility was forecast to be 10 statute miles, how would it appear in TAF for that airport?
P6SM, as the P = plus and TAF usually report for 5 Statue miles around the airport.
What is the only cloud type reported in TAF?
Cumulonimbus Clouds
If a rapid, significant change is expected to occur it would be indicated with…what letters?
FM: Fast Moving
A weather fluctuation that is expected to last for less than an hour would be indicated by what letters in a TAF?
TEMPO
A gradual change over less than two hours would be indicated by what letters in a TAF?
BECMG: Becoming
How would a 40% probability of light rain from 1800Z to 2100Z be showing a a TAF?
PROB40 1821 -RA
Decode the following METAR weather phenomena:
FG, -DZ, +SN FG, BR, +DU, VCRA, HZ, FZRA
FG= Fog, -DZ= Light Drizzle, +SN FG= Heavy Snow Fog, BR= Mist, +DU= Heavy Dust, VCRA= Rain in the vicinity, HZ = Haze, FZRA= Freezing Rain
Decode The following METAR:
SPECI KLAX 190326Z VRB03KT 1SM GR VV004 10/09 A2970 RM A02 VIS 1V2
Special METAR
Airport: Los Angeles International
Time and Date: Day 19 at 3 hours and 26 minutes Zulu UTC (Coordinated Universal Time)
Wind: Variable winds at 03 knots
Visibility: 1 Statute Miles
Weather: Hail
Cloud Layer: Vertical Visibility 400ft
Temp/Due Point: 10/09
Altimeter: 29.70” Inches of Mercury or millibars
Remarks: Automated precipitation detection VIS= Visibility 1 variable 2 statue miles
Decode the following that might be seen in the Remarks section of the METAR.
RAB15E43
TS W MOV NE
VIS 2 RWY 27
RAB15E43: Rain began 15 minute past the hour, ended 43 minutes after the hour
TS W MOV NE: Thunder Storm from west moving north east
VIS 2 RWY 27: Visibility 2 statue miles on runway 27
What does ATIS stand for?
Automated Terminal information Service
True or False: the tower controllers record important control information in an ATIS
False: The purpose is to relief the workload of the tower controller, recorder non-controlled information
How often is the information contiained in ATIS typically changed?
Hourly, more frequently if the tower controller decides a change is merited
What elements are found in an ATIS recording?
Surface wind direction and strength (velocity)
Runway and taxiway closures
Surface visibility and causes of limited visibility, if any
Sky conditions
Local flight hazards (construction cranes, high traffic areas, bird activities)
Pattern entry procedures
The airport surface winds reported in an ATIS are with reference to what type of north?
Magnetic north, because you are hearing it no reading it.
How do controllers and pilots ensure they are using the same, updated version of ATIS?
Updates are coded by letter, and pilots confirm which update they have listened to.
How are the wind reports in an ATIS likely to compare to wind reports in a METAR?
They will usually differ by the amount of magnetic variation in the area.
When is the best time to listen to ATIS information when taking off?
Prior to contacting ground control before leaving the ramp area.
When is the best time to listen to ATIS information when arriving at your destination airport?
Prior to entering the airspace around the destination airport.
Why do airports use ATIS?
IT reduces the workload on the air traffic controller and the congestion over the airways.
Silence, or a lack of a recording, on the ATIS frequency is likely due to…?
The recording is in the process of being updated by tower controllers.
