PPL Oral - Weather Charts, Alerts, and Reports Flashcards
Understand parameters of Charts, Alerts and Reports concerning aviation Weather
What is a Low Level Significant Weather Prognostic Chart?
It is a PROGNOSTIC FORECAST used for the purpose of VFR flight planning from the surface to 24,000ft that depicts areas of..
- IFR.
- Marginal VFR
- Turbulence
- Freezing Levels
What do all the different colors and lines mean on a Low Level Significant Weather Prog Chart?
Red - Areas of IFR conditions
Blue - Areas of Marginal VFR conditions
Light Blue Zig Zags - Freezing level at surface
Light Blue Dashed - Freezing level at altitude
Yellow Dashed - Areas of Moderate OR greater Turbulence (LLWS)
How often is a Low Level Significant WX Prog chart produced?
4 times per day in two types
1. 12 hour
2. 24 hour
How often is a Low Level Significant WX Prog chart produced?
4 times per day (every 6hrs) in two types
1. 12 hour
2. 24 hour
(the chart with the squiggly blue or red lines)
What are three primary sources for Pre-Flight Weather Briefings?
- FSS
- 1800WXBREIF.com
- Garmin Pilot
What are some other ‘unconventional’ sources of weather information?
- Internet sources such as..
Windy.com or The Weather Channel - Flight Information Services (FIS-B via ADSB-IN)
- Weather cameras
Do weather sources other than the FAA or NWS count towards satisfying 91.103 requirement?
No. Only sources approved by the FAA or from the NWS.
- When in doubt contact FSS to check
- Data must be from FAA approved sources like the NWS.
What are the 4 different types of weather briefings available from FSS?
- Outlook
- Standard
- Abbreviated
- Inflight
What is an Outlook Briefing?
Request whenever your departure time is 6 or more hours out.
- Provide a general picture of the weather conditions along route
What is a Standard Breifing?
Request whenever you have not already seen a briefing, or when within 6 hours of departure.
- Provide an in depth picture of all pertinent route information (NOTAMs) and weather.
What is an abbreviated Briefing?
Request when you need to check weather right before your flight, or when you need a quick view of just a few items.
- Provide a shortened version for quick reading
What are the mandatory Pre-Flight information requirements?
FAR 91.103
N - NOTAMs
W - Weather
K - Known ATC delays
R - RWY lengths
A - Alternate(s) plans
F - Fuel requirements
T - Take off and Landing distances
What is FIS-B?
Flight Information Broadcast
- Ground based data link to aircraft providing weather and aeronautical information
- Works through ADS-B IN
What should be cautioned around using FIS-Bs inflight weather surveillance radar on in-flight cockpit displays?
The radar data is not actually current AND it may be 15-20 mins old
1. Use caution and give radar returns extra room to account for this Lag.
How can you get updated weather info while In-Flight?
- Use a nearby FSS (or try 122.2)
- ATIS/AWOS/ASOS nearby
- ATC (workload permitting) Center or Approach
- Data Link weather (FIS-B)
What is a METAR?
An hourly surface observation reported at some airports
What is a SPECI?
A METAR that has been updated at an irregular time due to rapid changes in weather or other critical information.
What is AWOS?
Automated Weather Observation Service
- Computer Generated
- Updated as often as every minute
- Receivable up to 25nm out
- FAA operated
What is ASOS?
Automated Surface Observation System
- Computer Generated
- Updates as often as every minute
- Receivable up to 25nm out
- NWS operated.
What is a PIREP?
A Pilot Report
- Real time reports of actual conditions
How can you submit a PIREP?
You can submit PIREPs via
- FSS
- Center frequency
- Approach/Departure Frequencies
What is a PIREP UA?
Normal PIREP
What is a PIREP UUA?
Urgent PIREP
What is a TAF?
Terminal Aerodrome Forecast
- Reports a weather forecast between 24 and 30 hours out
- Forecast area extends 5 miles out from the airport
- Usually reported at larger airports
How often are TAFs updated?
4 time per day
(0000z, 0600z, 1200z, 1800z)
What is the report at the top of a TAF for? (header)
The reported weather conditions at the time the TAF was ISSUED. P
What does FM mean on a TAF?
From.
This is issued when a rapid or significant change is expected. Its common to see.
What does TEMP mean on a TAF?
Temporarily
Used for fluctuations in weather expected to last LESS THAN 1hr.
What does BECMG mean on a TAF?
Becoming
- When a GRADUAL change is expected over a longer period of time. Usually 2hrs.
What does PROB30 mean on a TAF?
There is a 30% probability of a weather event occurring in the coming hours
For TAFs & METARs, are the winds reported in True or Magnetic direction?
True
If you read it, its True.
If you hear it, its Magnetic
For TAFs, METARS, & ATIS ASOS/AWOS, are the cloud layers reported in AGL or MSL?
AGL
The only report where clouds are in MSL is a PIREP
The only report where clouds are in MSL is a PIREP. The only other report that uses MSL, are the altitudes listed in a Winds & Temps Aloft Forecast.
How often is a METAR updated?
Once per hour.
Usually 55 min past the hour.
What is the GFA tool?
Graphical Forecasts for Aviation
Web based graphics that combine weather observations and forecasts.
What types of things can the GFA tool show you when under the Forecast tab?
Weather along your route
- FORECASTED icing, turbulence, thunderstorms, winds, clouds etc..
What kinds of things can the GFA tool show you when under the Observation tab?
Weather along your route
- OBSERVED Ceilings, visibility, METARS, Radar, PIREPs.
What are the 4 types of In-Flight weather advisories?
- Convective SIGMET (WST)
- SIGMET (WS)
- AIRMET (WA) issued a Tango, Zulu, or Sierra
- Center Weather Advisory (CWA)
What is a Convective SIGMET (WST)?
Theres an acronym for this
50 THEL 40
Severe Convective Weather advisory issued for.. (Remember TELS)
50 - Sever thunderstorms with winds greater than 50 kts
T - Tornadoes
H - Hail greater than 3/4 inch diameter
E - Empbedded Thunder storms
L - Line of Thunder storms
40 - Thunder storms or heavy rain covering greater than 40% of an 3,000 square mile area.
AIM 5-1-6
How long is a Convective SIGMET (WST) valid for?
AIM 5-1-6
2 hours
What is a SIGMET? (WS)
There’s an acronym for this
SADCAT
Severe NON-Convective Weather advisory concerning ALL aircraft,
What they are issued for:
S - Severe Icing, Not associated with a T-storm
A - volcanic ASH
D - Dust storm or Sandstorm that creates IMC
CAT - Clear Air Turbulence Or Extreme/Severe Turbulence, NOT associated with a thunderstorm
AIM 5-1-6
How long are SIGMETs (WS) valid for?
AIM 5-1-6
4 hours
What is an AIRMET (WA)?
AIM 5-1-6
Less than Severe weather advisories intended for use by ALL pilots
What are the different types of AIRMETs (WA) and what are they for?
AIM 5-1-6
Sierra. Issued for..
- IFR low visibility
- Mountain obscurations
Zulu. Issued for..
- Moderate icing
- Freezing level hights
Tango. Issued for..
- Moderate Turbulence
- Surface winds greater than 30 kts
- Low Level Wind Sheer
How long are AIRMETs valid?
AIM 5-1-6
Every 6 hours
What is a Winds & Temperatures Aloft Forecast (FB)
Computer generated forecasts showing wind speed and direction as well as temperature at specified altitudes
- They provide an outlook for these conditions up to 24 hours out
How often are Winds & Temperatures Aloft Forecasts (FB) updated?
4 times a day, Every 6 hrs
(000Z, 0600Z, 1200Z, 1800Z)
What does it mean when a Winds and Temps Aloft (FB) reports something like: 731960?
It means the winds are above 100kts
- You must subtract 50 from the wind direction and add a 1 to the wind speed
731960 = Winds from 230 at 119 kts and -60c
What does it mean when a Winds and Temps Aloft (FB) reports something like: 9900 at 3000ft?
9900 means the winds are Light and Variable
What does the following Winds & Temps Aloft (FB) header mean?
: DATA BASED ON 031200Z
VALID 031800Z FOR USE 1400-2100Z. TEMPS NEG ABV 24000
DATA BASED ON 031200Z - This is when the forecast was prepared
VALID 031800Z - This is when the information will be most accurate
FOR USE 1400-2100Z - This is when the data is meant to be used for planning
What are Altitudes, Visibility and Distances reported in on a PIREP?
Altitudes = MSL
Visibility = Statute Miles
Distances = Nautical Miles
What are Altitudes, Visibility and Distances reported in on a PIREP?
Altitudes = MSL
Visibility = Statute Miles
Distances = Nautical Miles
What is a Convective Outlook chart (SPC)?
Shows areas and likelihood for severe weather for the following 3 days such as…
- Tornados
- Wind gusts (greater than 50 kts)
- Hail (3/4 inch or larger)
- General Convection (TS)
What are the probability categories for a Convective Outlook chart?
- MRGL - Marginal (least)
- SLGT - Slight risk (more than MRGL)
- ENH - Enhanced
- MDT - Moderate
- HIGH- ….-.- (greatest)
How often is a METAR updated?
Once per hour.
Usually 55 min past the hour.
What are Altitudes, Visibility and Distances reported in on a PIREP?
Altitudes = MSL
Visibility = Statute Miles
Distances = Nautical Miles
What is a Center Weather Advisory? (CWA)
They are like urgent versions of SIGMETs and AIRMETS.
They are issued when criteria for AIRMETS and SIGMETS are met but there is none posted yet OR..
When there is an immediate update to an AIRMET or SIGMET is needed
How often is a METAR updated?
Once per hour.
Usually 55 min past the hour.
What are Altitudes, Visibility and Distances reported in on a PIREP?
Altitudes = MSL
Visibility = Statute Miles
Distances = Nautical Miles
How long is a Center Weather Advisory (CWA) valid?
For 2 hours
(like a Convective SIGMET)
What is a Center Weather Advisory? (CWA)
They are like urgent versions of SIGMETs and AIRMETS.
They are issued when criteria for AIRMETS and SIGMETS are met but there is none posted yet OR..
When there is an immediate update to an AIRMET or SIGMET is needed
What are Altitudes, Visibility and Distances reported in on a PIREP?
Altitudes = MSL
Visibility = Statute Miles
Distances = Nautical Miles
How often is a METAR updated?
Once per hour.
Usually 55 min past the hour.
What is a Center Weather Advisory? (CWA)
They are like urgent/pop up versions of SIGMETs and AIRMETS.
They are issued when criteria for AIRMETS and SIGMETS are met but there is none posted yet OR..
When there is an immediate update to an AIRMET or SIGMET is needed
How long is a Center Weather Advisory (CWA) valid?
For 2 hours
(like a Convective SIGMET)
What are Altitudes, Visibility and Distances reported in on a PIREP?
Altitudes = MSL
Visibility = Statute Miles
Distances = Nautical Miles
What is a Center Weather Advisory? (CWA)
Aviation warnings for weather while enroute (they are like pop up SIGMETs and AIRMETS)
They are issued when criteria for AIRMETS and SIGMETS are met but there is none posted yet OR..
When there is an immediate update to an AIRMET or SIGMET is needed
How long is a Center Weather Advisory (CWA) valid?
For 2 hours
(like a Convective SIGMET)
How often is a METAR updated?
Once per hour.
Usually 55 min past the hour.
Who disseminates a Center Weather Advisory (CWA)?
Air Traffic Control
Are winds on ATIS, AWOS/ASOS reported in True or Magnetic direction?
They are reported in MAGNETIC DIRECTION
If you read it, its True (TAF, METAR)
If you hear it, its Magnetic (ATIS, ASOS, AWOS)
What valuable information can you get from a Winds & Temps Aloft (FB) report?
- Best altitude for winds
- Areas of possible icing
- Temperature Inversions (air getting warmer)
- Turbulence (abrupt changes in wind speed and direction)
- Wind Sheer (with the same method above)
Are the Altitudes listed in the Winds & Temps Aloft Forecast in AGL or MSL?
They are in MSL
The cloud height in a PIREP and the altitudes in an Aloft forecast are the only reports that list altitudes in MSL
What is a Surface Analysis chart?
Depiction of observations of surface weather
They contain…
1. High and Low pressure systems
2. Fronts (warm, cold, occluded, stationary)
3. Isobars (lines of equal pressure)
Also…
- Troughs (elongated low pressure)
- Dry Lines (line of warm dry air, near most warm air)
- Outflow Boundaries (gust front ahead of a storm)
How often are Surface Analysis charts updated?
Every 3 hours (8 times per day)
What are the 3 FAA definitions of night and what is each for?
- Sunset to Sunrise
- FAR 91.209
- When you need to have Position Lights on - 1hr after Sunset to 1hr before Sunrise
- FAR 61.57
- For carrying passengers at night - The time between the end of evening civil twilight and the beginning of morning civil twilight, as published in the Air Almanac, converted to local time.
- FAR 1.1
- For logging night time
What is significant about the Valid Time on a Low Level Significant Weather Prognostic Chart?
That is the time that the weather depicted on the chart is forecasted to exist.
Is a Convective SIGMET a forecast or an observation?
They can be both
How high does a Low Level Significant Weather Prognostic Chart forecast up to?
24,000ft
What altitude range does the High Level Significant Weather Prognostic Chart forecast for?
25,000ft to 63,000ft
Winds on a Winds Aloft forecast are reported in…
True Direction
When is a Convective SIGMET issued?
For
* Significant Thunderstorm activity
* Tornados
* Hail greater than 3/4 inch diameter
What is the main differences between a Standard weather briefing and an Abbreviated briefing?
An Abbreviated briefing will generally only give you information on what has changed since your Standard briefing, with special emphasis on your departure and arrival. As well as any requested information
