W10 - speci and check ops

Question 1

When is a SPECI taken?

Answer 1

Promptly to report changes which occur between scheduled transmission times

Question 2

What does a SPECI contain? (8 things)

Answer 2

Sky ConditionVisibilityWeather and Obstruction to VisionTemperature (at sites designated by Nav Canada)WindCloudsRemarksRVR

Question 3

What should the observer do if the weather changes AFTER the barometer has been read, but BEFORE the transmission of the scheduled report?

Answer 3

Transmit the scheduled report and then transmit a SPECI as soon as possible thereafter

Question 4

What are the criteria items for taking a SPECI? (10 things)

Answer 4

CeilingSky ConditionVisibilityTornado/Waterspout/Funnel CloudThunderstormPrecipitationTemperature (if designated by Nav Canada)WindVolcanic EruptionObservers Initiative

Question 5

What are the threshold values for Ceiling SPECI criteria?

Answer 5

15, 10, 5, 3

Question 6

In regard to a ceiling change, when is a SPECI required?

Answer 6

when ceiling rises to equal/exceed any threshold value or falls below any threshold.

Question 7

In regard to sky condition change, when is a SPECI required?

Answer 7

Layer aloft first appears BELOW either 1000 feet, or the highest IFR minimum (500ft in march), and no layer aloft was below this height in the report immediately previous.

Question 8

In regard to visibility change, when is a SPECI required?

Answer 8

Rises to equal or exceeding any threshold value for visibility, or falls below any threshold value. Or down to the lowest published minimum for a precision approach

Question 9

What are the threshold values for visibility SPECI criteria?

Answer 9

3,
1 1/2,
1,
1/2

Question 10

When would a SPECI be required for tornado, waterspout, or funnel clouds?

Answer 10

When it is observedWhen it disappears from sightWhen it is reported by the public from a reliable source and within the past 6 hours

Question 11

When would a SPECI be required for a thunderstorm?

Answer 11

Thunderstorm begins (HEARD)Thunderstorm ends + 15 minutes

Question 12

When would a SPECI be required for Precipitation?

Answer 12

When precip begins or ends for each and every type, or when it changes intensity. (15 minutes is allowed after the ending of precip before a SPECI is mandatory)

Question 13

What types of precipitation beginning, ending, or changing intensity require a SPECI?

Answer 13

Freezing RainFreezing DrizzleIce Pellets showery and non-showeryRainRain ShowersDrizzleSnowSnow ShowersSnow GrainsHailSnow PelletsIce Crystals

Question 14

-RA changed to -SHRA at 0435Z. Is a SPECI required?

Answer 14

No. A character change does not require a SPECI if there is no change in intensity

Question 15

-RA changed to RA at 0334Z. Is a SPECI required?

Answer 15

Yes. The change in intensity indicates a SPECI is required.

Question 16

When is a SPECI required for temperature?

Answer 16

If at a site designated by Nav CanadaRounded temperature increases by 5 degrees Celsius or more from the previous value AND the previous reported value was 20 degrees Celsius or higher, ORThe temperature decreases to a reported value of 2 degrees Celsius or lower.

Question 17

When is a SPECI required for wind?

Answer 17

Mean speed suddenly doubles AND exceeds 30 knots (31 or more)OR Wind shift criteria satisfied

Question 18

What content is required for a Volcanic Eruption SPECI

Answer 18

Name of mountainDirection of mountain (16 points TRUE of the compass) and approx distance (Statute Miles)Date and Time of eruptionHeight and direction of the ash cloudOther data as pertinentEG: MT ST HELEN VOLCANO 60 SM WNW ERUPTED 091025 ASH CLOUD TO 300 MOVG RPDLY SE.

Question 19

What is required for hourly and SPECI reports after a volcanic eruption SPECI has been issued?

Answer 19

Post eruption ash clouds in remarks and speci’s as long as significant.

Question 20

What is required to issue a Observer’s Initiative SPECI?

Answer 20

Anything which, in the opinion of the observer, is important for the safety and efficiency of aircraft operations or otherwise significant. NOTE: all other SPECI criteria are MINIMUMS. Observers can add to them but can’t take away.

Question 21

What is the time assigned to a SPECI?

Answer 21

The time the change was observed/felt/heard or first increased/decreased, or in the case of TS 15 min after last thunder heard. In the case of Precip ending, within 15 min at observers discretion

Question 22

If more than one element has changed, what time is assigned to the SPECI?

Answer 22

the time of the change of the most important thing to aviation

Question 23

How long does an observer have between the time assigned to the SPECI to the time the SPECI must be transmitted?

Answer 23

should not exceed 2 minutes

Question 24

If a significant change is observed between 5 minutes to the hour and on the hour, is a SPECI required?

Answer 24

In most cases NO, a SPECI is optionalEXCEPT threatening severe weather (+FC, FC, +TS) “posing a threat to life and major property, requires a RAPID DISSEMINATION OF A WARNING OR ADVISORY

Question 25

What is the abbrev in Col 27 (type of report) for a SPECI?

Answer 25

SP

Question 26

What is the abbrev in Col 27 (type of report) for hourly?

Answer 26

SA

Question 27

What is the abbrev in Col 27 (type of report) for Check Obs?

Answer 27

C

Question 28

When are Check Obs taken?

Answer 28

between hourly obs to ensure that significant changes in weather do not remain unreported

Question 29

If a check obs indicates that a significant change has occurred, how is it treated?

Answer 29

In every way it is treated as a SPECI observation.

Question 30

When is an Accident Check Observation taken?

Answer 30

Immediately after learning of an aircraft accident at or in the vicinity of the weather observing station UNLESS a complete observation has been made after the accident

Question 31

What must an observer take special care to include for an Accident Check observation?

Answer 31

remarks or under “notes” any meteorological facts which might relate to the accident or which might be of significance to the Aircraft Accident Investigator.

Question 32

When must a check observation be taken with regard to a PIREP?

Answer 32

Whenever a PIREP is received within 1.5 SM of the airfield boundary, and that PIREP indicates weather conditions as observed by the pilot differ significantly from those reported in the current observation.

Question 33

If a check observation is requested by the Forecast Office, what must be included?

Answer 33

Sky conditionVisibilityWeather and obstructions to visionWindClouds and/or obscuring phenomenaRemarks if applicableOther specific element if requested by the forecast officeNote: requests for a check obs of a specific element may be limited to the item requested (Manobs 10.3.6.2.2)

Question 34

What is the distribution requirements for a check obs?

Answer 34

If requested, shall be immediately forwarded to the office making the requestIf observers initiative, shall be given local distribution as deemed necessary by the observer

Question 35

What are the procedures to follow upon notification of an aircraft accident at or in the vicinity of the weather observing station?

Answer 35

1. immediately conduct Check Obs (with pressures and temperatures included and detailed remarks and notes as required) UNLESS a hourly report has already been done after the time of the accident2. Staff on duty at the time will be interviewed3.secure the original 2322 under lock and key a. transcribe all entries onto new 2322 and carry on on that form, or photocopy and use original to carry on and photocopy gets locked up4. ONLY release the original 2322 containing the accident check obs to a TSB official or as per the instruction from either the Regional Director General of Environment Canada, or the Chairman of the TSB.Note if the original form is removed, a receipt or equivalent should be placed on file.

Question 36

If transcribing observations onto a new 2322 after an accident what must be done in column 1?

Answer 36

Note which entries have been transcribed on both copies

Question 37

What should an observer do when receiving requests for information after an accident?

Answer 37

Answer all routine requestsDon’t give opinion about eventsForward other requests to the TSB

Question 38

What time shall be assigned to a check observation?

Answer 38

The time the observation was COMPLETED

Question 39

What are the recording requirements for an accident check observation with NO SPECI criteria met?

Answer 39

Record the entire obs with C in col 27 and the time the obs was completed, but do NOT transmit the obs.

Question 40

What are the recording requirements for an accident check observation WITH SPECI criteria met?

Answer 40

Record the enter obs with SP in col 27 and the time SPECI criteria was met. ONLY transmit elements normally included in SPECI (no pressure / temperature unless designated)