Preflight - Aviation Weather Reports and Opservations

Question 1

What is a METAR?

Answer 1

Aviation routine weather reports are observer interpretations
Issued hourly or as required per conditions designated by (SPECI)

Question 2

Describe the basic elements of a METAR.

Answer 2

Type of report: METAR/SPECI
Station identifier: (ICAO) four letter identifier
Date and time of report: Given in UTC
Modifier: AUTO for automated AO1/AO2 for the type of sensors uesd
Wind: 5-6 digit group
Visibility: prevailing visibility in SM
Runway Visual Range (RVR): issued as required
Weather phenomena: qualifiers and weather phenomena
Sky condition: Amount/Height/Type in AGL
Temperature/Dew-point spread: T/D.P.
Altimeter: Prefixed by “A” in 4 digits
Remark(RMK): Other pertinent Wx information

Question 3

What are several types of weather observing programs?

Answer 3

Manual observations: Reports by FAA/NWS staff
AWOS: Automated Weather Observation System issued on the minute
AWOS Broadcasts: Computer generated voice issued on the minute
ASOS/AWSS: Automated Surface Observing System/Automated Weather Sensor System, on the minute observation, providing identical information

Question 4

What are PIREPs (UA), and where are they usually found?

Answer 4

Pilot reports provide observed conditions

“UA” routine or “UAA” urgent