Unit 8 Flashcards
National Weather Service (NWS)
provides weather data, forecasts, warnings
Flight Service Stations (FSSs)
FAA facilities that provide preflight & in-flight briefings, weather broadcasts, support…
What should you do if you are already in flight and you need weather info?
Request an in flight weather briefing –> contact using frequency 122.0 MHz
Standard briefing
all necessary info for safe flight
Outlook briefing
when departure time is +6h from time of briefing
Abbreviated briefing
change briefing (update)
In-flight briefing
updates on weather conditions affecting your flight
Aviation routine weather report (METAR)
primary report used to observe local, immediate weather conditions at a specific airport
Aircraft Reports (AIREPs)
aircraft observation → reported to ground station
Pilot Reports (PIREPs)
primary type of aircraft observation & vital tool for understanding weather
Terminal aerodrome forecast (TAF)
expected weather at specific airport during 24h - 30h period
Covers an area of 5SM (radius) & reported 4x/day
Winds & temp aloft forecasts (FB)
computer-prepared forecasts of wind direction, wind speed, and temperature at specific times/altitude/locations
Flight Service Stations (FSS)
provide en route aircraft with current weather along the route → 122.2 MHz or frequency listed on aeronautical chart
Convective SIGMETs (WST)
implies severe turbulence, severe icing, and low-level wind shear
SIGMETs
severe icing not associated with thunderstorms
AIRMETs (WA)
advisories of significant weather phenomena (but less intensive than SIGMETs)
The distance measured in millibars separating isobars on surface analysis charts is typically
4 mb
What is indicated when a current CONVECTIVE SIGMET forecasts thunderstorms?
Thunderstorms obscured by massive cloud layers.
What information is contained in a CONVECTIVE SIGMET?
Tornadoes, embedded thunderstorms, and hail 3/4 inch or greater in diameter.
