Observations, Service outlets, Briefings & METAR Flashcards
What is an abbreviated briefing?
A shortened version of the standard briefing. It should be requested when a departure has been delayed or when specific weather information is needed to update the previous briefing.
What is the (EFAS)
The ENROUTE FLIGHT ADVISORY SERVICE is designed to provide enroute weather information upon pilot request
What is the (EFAS) otherwise known as?
Flight watch
What information does the (EFAS) provide
Weather advisories tailored to the type if flight, route and cruising altitude.
What information does the (TWEB) provide
Route orientated data, route forecast, forecast outlook, winds aloft and other selected weather reports for 50 nautical miles of the FSS or for a 50 mile wide corridor along a specific route.
How long is a (TWEB) forecast valid for.
12 hours
How often is a (TWEB) forecast updated
Four times a day
What is (TWEB)
The transcribed weather broadcast is a weather report transmitted continuously over selected nav-aids
On a sectional chart, how can you tell if a Nav-Aid has (TWEB) capability
There would be a ‘T’ in the upper right-hand corner of the Nav-Aid box
Upon receiving a (HIWAS) briefing who should you contact for more detailed information
FSS’s or an (EFAS)
On sectional charts, how can you tell if a Nav-Aid has (HIWAS) capability
There would be an ‘H’ in the upper right corner of the identification box
What is the (HIWAS)?
The Hazardous In-Flight Weather Advisory is a national program for broadcasting hazardous weather continuously over selected Nav-Aids
What does a (HIWAS) broadcast include
Advisories such as: AIRMET’s, SIGMET’s, Convective SIGMET’s and Urgent PIREP’s
When can a pilot contact an (EFAS)
Between 6:00am to 10:00pm anywhere in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
What is the common (EFAS) frequency
122.0 MHZ
The (EFAS) common frequency is for what flight altitude range From/To?
5000 feet AGL to 17500 feet MSL
What does WSR-88D NEXRAD (DOPLER) Cover/Do?
Provides in-depth observations to inform surrounding communities of impending weather
Where is (TDWR) installed
Some major airports around the USA
Who gets the info from (TDWR)
Airport traffic controllers & Pilots
What info does (TDWR) provide to airport traffic control
Severe weather alerts and warnings
What info does (TDWR) provide to pilots
Wind shear, gust front’s and heavy precipitation for arriving and departing aircraft
Name the 6 service outlets
(FAA) Flight Service Stations, (TIBS) Transcribed information briefing service, (DUATS) Direct User Access Terminal Service, (EFAS) Enroute Flight Advisory Service, (HIWAS) Hazardous In-flight weather advisory, (TWEB) Transcribed Weather Broadcast.
What are the 3 types of aviation weather observations
Surface Aviation Weather Observations, Upper-Air Observations, Radar Observations.
What are Surface Aviation Weather observations otherwise known as?
METAR
What are the names of the 2 main ground stations for surface observations
(AWOS) Automated Weather Observing Systems, (ASOS) Automated Surface Observing Systems.
What does (FAA) Airport Surveillance Radar detect?
Aircraft and the Location and Intensity of Precipitation to Divert Aircraft if necessary
With Radiosonde observations; what data is collected?
Temperature, Humidity, Pressure & Wind Data.
How High do Radiosonde observations go to?
Up to and above 100,000 feet
What atmospheric conditions do PIREP’s report?
Turbulence, Icing & Cloud Heights
What are the 3 types of Radar observations
WSR-88D NEXRAD (AKA DOPLAR), (TDWR) - (FAA) Terminal Dopler Weather Radar, (FAA) Airport Surveillance Radar
If using a modem and a communications program to contact (DUATS) how do you make contact and where would you find contact details?
A toll free number which would be in chapter 7 of the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM).
What are the 2 methods of access to contact with (DUATS)
Internet website’s, Modem & communications program supplied by a (DUATS) provider.
What are the 2 web sites used to access (DUATS)
DynCorp - (http://www.duats.com) and Data Transformation Corporation (http://www.duat.com)
What is the Direct User Access Terminal Service
(DUATS) allows any pilot with a current medical certificate to access weather information and file a flight plan VIA Computer.
Who funds the (DUATS)
Funded by the (FAA)
Where does (TIBS) data come from
It is prepared and disseminated by selected (AFSS’)
When is the (TIBS) service available
24 hours a day
How do you contact a (TIBS) service
(TIBS) can only be contacted by Touch-Tone phone.
Where can you find contact details for (TIBS)
Phone numbers for (TIBS) are listed in the A/FD
What other services do (FSS’s) provide
In-Flight weather briefing services, scheduled & Un-Scheduled weather broadcasts and advisories.
What is the (TIBS)
The Transcribed Information Briefing Service provides continuous telephone recordings of meteorological and aeronautical information. Provides area and route briefings, airspace procedures & special announcements.
If you can’t contact an (AFSS) because you are in an area of the USA not serviced by one, who else might provide pilot weather briefings?
The National Weather Service.
Where might you find telephone numbers for NWS facilities and FSS’s/AFSS’s
Airport/facilities directory (A/FD) or the U.S. Government section if the telephone book.
What is the FAA Flight Service Station
The primary source for Pre-Flight weather information
What is an (AFSS)
Automated Flight Service Station
How do you contact an (AFSS)
1-800-WX-BRIEF
When can you contact an (AFSS)
24 hours a day
Define Service Outlet’s
Government or Private Facilities that provide aviation weather services.
Name who it is that provides access to weather information
FAA - Federal Aviation Administration. NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NWS - National Weather Service. All work with private aviation companies
What information comes from surface observations?
Type of report, station identifier, date & time, modifier (as required), wind, visibility, runway visual range (RVR), weather phenomena, sky condition, temperature/dew-point, altimeter reading and Applicable remarks.
What are the 2 methods of observing upper air weather phenomena?
Radiosonde observations. Pilot weather reports.
Where do observers get radiosonde observations data from?
Radio telemetry from sounding balloons
How often do observers collect radio observations data?
Twice daily.
Relating to weather what should a pilot do prior to every flight?
Gather all information vital to the nature of the flight.
Prior to any flight, who do you have to choose from for an appropriate weather briefing?
FSS’s/AFSS’s or the NWS