Section 1, Chapter 7 - Meteorological Information & Met Tasks Flashcards
What is the priority for NATS ATC when it comes to meteorological observations and what actions should be taken if the meteorological situation affects safety?
For NATS ATC, the priority is always the delivery of a safe and efficient air traffic service. If the meteorological situation is likely to affect safety:
- Action: Relevant information must be passed to aircraft by RTF as per MATS Part 1 requirements before updating the met report.
What are the procedures for producing METAR and SPECI meteorological reports, and what are ATCOs responsible for?
The procedures for producing METAR and SPECI meteorological reports are as follows:
METAR Reports:
- Made at half-hourly intervals at H + 20 and H + 50.
- Automatically transmitted on AFTN and ATIS.
- Produced using the AutoMet system and validated by the Duty Met Observer (DMO).
SPECI Reports:
- Criteria for AUTO reporting are specified in MATS Part 1 and CAP746.
ATCO Responsibilities:
- Ensure that correct information is disseminated in line with accountabilities in UK(EU)2015/340 Training and MATS Part 1.
How does the Met system operate for producing meteorological reports, and what are the roles of automatic and manual modes?
The Met system operation for producing meteorological reports includes the following procedures and modes:
Automatic Mode:
- The system produces routine (METAR) and special (SPECI) reports automatically using on-airfield sensors and software algorithms.
- AUTO observations are indicated on the ATIS message, METAR on AFTN, and on the ATC display screen as “AUTO”.
- METARs are transmitted globally via AFTN.
- SPECIs update ATIS and ATC displays and are voluntarily sent to the Met Office.
Manual Mode:
- Making a manual observation switches the system to Semi-Automatic Mode (SAMOS).
- In SAMOS, the system can send METARs but cannot send SPECIs.
- The system should not be left unattended in SAMOS mode to ensure SPECIs can be sent.
Instrumentation (Automatically Updated and Un-editable):
- Surface wind (from runway in use sensor)
- Temperature and dew point
- Barometric pressure
- IRVR
- RPS (Regional Pressure Setting) via AFTN
- Terminal Area Forecast (TAF) via AFTN
Visual Elements (Editable by DMO):
- Visibility, including directional visibility
- Present weather
- CB & TCU
- Thunderstorms
Additional System Capabilities:
- Displays and updates runway surface conditions with the Runway Condition Report.
- Allows manual entry of essential aerodrome information, wind shear reports, and weather warnings as free text.
- Equipped with text-to-speech software for fast production and dissemination of additional messages on the ATIS.
What are the responsibilities of the Duty Meteorological Officer (DMO) and ATCOs regarding meteorological observations and reporting?
The responsibilities are as follows:
Duty Meteorological Officer (DMO):
- By default, the AIR controller, but can be delegated to any qualified and current observer as detailed in the GMTP.
- Oversees the provision of METAR and SPECI reports.
- Monitors the MET system output in Automatic mode and intervenes in SAMOS mode when required.
ATCOs License Accountability:
- Ensure compliance with license requirements, MATS1, and UK(EU)2015/340 requirements.
- Regardless of the system mode (Auto or Semi) or role as DMO, ATCOs must:
- Keep a close watch on the weather.
- Report any significant weather changes via RTF when necessary.
- Be aware that pilots with the ATIS may not be aware of subsequent changes displayed to the ATCO.
What are the responsibilities and procedures for ATCOs acting as Duty Meteorological Officers (DMOs) when monitoring and updating the MET system?
The responsibilities and procedures for ATCOs acting as DMOs include:
Monitoring and Intervention:
- Monitor and update the MET system output from the operational position as necessary.
- Prioritize providing a safe ATC service.
- Broadcast relevant MET information or pass essential aerodrome information to aircraft if updating the MET system is not possible due to traffic.
- Update the MET system at the next available opportunity.
- Issue a METAR COR for incorrect METARs or a SPECI for other updates.
Exceptional Circumstances:
- Unverified reports may be sent by the system if immediate updates are not possible.
- Advise the SCOD and agree on support options if timely and accurate observations affect service provision.
Additional Resources:
- Utilize support staff or ATCOs not providing an operational service.
- Ensure breaks and fatigue responsibilities are adhered to.
- Call for support using the “assistance” doorbell in the VCR if workload dictates the need for short notice support.
- Support staff will cover DMO and VCR operational tasks within agreed times.
What procedures should be followed during periods when no certified Duty Meteorological Observer (DMO) is available?
During periods when no certified Duty Meteorological Observer (DMO) is available, the following procedures should be followed:
Notification and Logging:
- Inform the Met Office that the system will continue to send unverified AUTO METARs.
- Record this in the ATC Watch Log.
Use of Non-Visual Elements:
- Reports of surface wind, temperature, pressure readings, and IRVR values can still be used by ATC.
Unofficial Assessments:
- Unofficial assessments of visual elements (present weather, visibility, cloud height/amount) can be given by unqualified ATC staff.
- These assessments should be passed as “unofficial reports” either by telephone or RTF.
Informing Prestwick Centre (PC):
- The SCOD must inform the Group Supervisor at PC that the ATIS and Met being displayed in PC are unverified.
Met Office Actions:
- The Met Office may cancel the TAF if erroneous or missing METARs are received or if there is a gap of more than 2 hours in METARs.
- Before canceling, the Met Office will attempt to contact the unit.
- The TAF will be re-issued once two consecutive verified METARs have been received.
What are the criteria and procedures for DMO intervention and reversion to Semi-Auto mode for meteorological observations?
The criteria and procedures for DMO intervention and reversion to Semi-Auto mode are:
DMO Responsibilities:
- Validate Auto-generated METARs and SPECIs.
- Intervene for a manual update if the automatic system does not reflect actual conditions or breaches intervention criteria.
- Understand limitations of observing locations and system limitations.
- Return the system to Auto mode once it accurately reflects current conditions.
- Include system mode (Auto/Semi) in handover to a new DMO.
Intervention Criteria:
- Sudden or Unexpected Deteriorations:
- Disseminate Met information to aircraft immediately for safety.
- Decide whether to intervene based on SPECI boundary crossing.
- Significant Difference in Weather Conditions:
- Intervene if there’s a significant difference between observed weather and AutoMet reports that passes a SPECI boundary.
System Failure or Maintenance:
- Intervene during SAMOS or IRVR equipment failure with visibility ≤ 1500M.
- Intervene if maintenance affects the ability to produce Auto METARs.
- Inform Watch Manager (SCOD) immediately of reversion from Auto and resume Auto reporting when equipment is returned to service.
System Limitations:
* Intervene for parameters not detected by Auto system, such as freezing rain, freezing drizzle, minimum directional visibility, and phenomena preceded by VC.
Additional Considerations:
- Call for support early if a period of reversion from Auto is likely.
- SCOD should consider additional staffing if an extended period of reversion from Auto is expected.
What additional meteorological reports and information are provided to ATC, and what are the procedures for managing them?
The additional meteorological reports and information provided to ATC include:
TAFs (Terminal Area Forecasts):
- Issued every six hours and displayed to ATC.
- An equals sign (=) at the end indicates the message is complete. If missing, the full TAF is not shown.
- A copy can be requested from the Met Office.
Local Area Forecasts:
- Regional AIRMET issued by the Met Office and received via AFTN.
- Issued as detailed in AIP GEN 3.5 Section 4.7.
Forecast Regional Pressure Settings:
- Received via AFTN and displayed on METCOM_NXT for the current hour.
Weather Warnings:
- Received via AFTN from the UK Met Office and available via the Met Office interactive web portal.
- Most warnings specify a period of validity and are self-canceling.
- Amended warnings or cancellations are disseminated to the DMO by OSS or SCOD during OSS absence.
Special Reports for Incidents/Accidents:
- SCOD ensures an Incident Special full met observation is produced as soon as practicable after an incident.
- High priority given if weather is a significant factor in the incident.
- Engineering can provide information from the met system database up to 60 days later if immediate reporting is not possible.
Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS):
- Transmissions contain required information as detailed in MATS PT1 and CAP670.
- Essential Aerodrome Information and other useful information can be added and stored in METCOM-NXT.
- Text-to-speech software enables fast production and dissemination of additional messages for ATIS broadcast.
Pilot Reports:
- MATS 1 Section 3 details requirements for ATCOs to pass weather information received from aircraft in flight.
- Information should be passed to the duty met forecaster to determine if a special report is warranted.
What are the contingency procedures for handling METCOM NXT failures and sensor failures in meteorological reporting?
The contingency procedures for handling METCOM NXT failures and sensor failures include:
METCOM NXT Failure Status and Call-Out Procedures:
- Report any failure of METCOM NXT or its elements to Engineering.
- Do not alter the status of any equipment without DEO instruction.
- During unmanned periods, call out the on-call Engineer for:
- Complete METCOM NXT failure
- Failures requiring operation of the contingency facility (Vaisala PTB330)
- Loss of all surface wind data
- Total failure of all METCOM NXT weather displays
- Anomalous IRVR sensor readings <1500m
- Log failures and inform DEO during normal hours.
Screen Failure:
- Use a second screen if the primary input screen fails.
AFTN Link Failure:
- Transmit coded METAR via other AFTN facilities or send to Data Services for transmission.
- SPECIs will not be transmitted on AFTN; advise the forecaster.
Complete Met System Failure or Loss of METAR Coding Support:
- Evaluate weather from backup instruments and record observations using NSL/ATC/MET/F006.
- Pass observations to Approach via paper/phone.
- Restricted observers will not code information for onward transmission.
- Routine observations should be passed to the Met Office Forecaster by telephone; no METAR sent.
- Full met observers may code information and send it to Data Services for AFTN transmission.
- Aerodrome Forecast will be canceled if there is a gap of more than 2 hours between METARs.
- If wind/temperature/pressure/IRVR is not available from instruments, airlines and operators will use estimated values.
Loss of ATIS:
- Advise local and Centre ATC Supervisor to pass a met report via RT to each aircraft.
Sensor Failures:
Surface Wind:
- Use alternate sensor if primary fails.
- Manually enter wind from the 10-minute ATC display if automated input fails.
- Estimate wind speed/direction from windsock if all instrumented measurements fail; no METAR issued.
Visibility:
- Perform manual visibility observations using unit documented met vis points.
Present Weather:
- Perform manual observations for METAR and SPECIs.
IRVR:
- Follow MATS Pt1 and MATS 2 instructions if IRVR is not available.
- Report faulty IRVR readings to DEO immediately; contact on-call Engineer if necessary.
Cloud Ceilometer:
- Perform manual cloud observations for METAR and SPECI.
Pressure, Temperature, Dewpoint:
- Manually enter readings from backup instruments (PA50).
Auto Cloud Type / Thunderstorm Detection:
- Intervene if AUTO assessment fails; continue AUTO operations with ATS staff oversight.
- Perform manual observations if TS/VCTS or CB/TCU conditions are observed.
What are the procedures for transmitting meteorological information during an evacuation?
During an evacuation, the following procedures are used to transmit meteorological information:
Pre-Recorded Evacuation Message:
- A pre-recorded Evacuation message is stored on METCOM-NXT.
- This message can be accessed and transmitted from the METAR screens in the VCR by using the EVAC button.
Reference to Detailed Procedures:
- Evacuation procedures are detailed in Emergency Orders.
What additional MET-related tasks may ATCOs be responsible for from the operational position, subject to workload assessment?
ATCOs may be responsible for the following MET-related tasks from the operational position, subject to workload assessment:
Non-MET ATIS Updates:
- Providing updates to the ATIS that are not related to MET information.
NOTAMs:
- Issuing Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs).
What are the VCR operational tasks that ATCOs are responsible for outside of delivering ATC service?
Outside of delivering ATC service, VCR ATCOs are responsible for the following operational tasks:
Monitoring Weather:
- Monitor prevailing weather and interact with METCOM-NXT as defined in the procedures.
Annotating the ATC Logbook:
- Ensure accurate and timely entries in the ATC Logbook.
Handling Incoming Calls:
- Accept incoming phone calls from outside agencies if workload permits.
- These calls should primarily be directed to OSS during agreed times of attendance via the promulgated number.
Note:
Non-operational tasks (those not directly linked to service delivery) may be undertaken where workload permits or delegated to suitably qualified support staff.
Operational safety and service delivery take precedence over all other VCR tasks.
