Weather Flashcards
What is the primary means of obtaining a weather briefing?
The primary source of preflight weather briefings is a briefing from a briefer at the AFSS/FSS. These briefings are available through 1-800-WX-BRIEF.
What are some examples of other sources of weather information?
a. Weather and aeronautical information from numerous private industry sources.
b. Direct User Access Terminal System (DUATS)
Where can you find a listing of FSS and weather information numbers?
In the AFD under “FAA and NWS telephone number” section.
What type of weather briefings are available from an FSS briefer?
a. Standard Briefing
b. Abbreviated Briefing - when you need an update to a previous briefing or only one or two items.
c. Outlook Briefing - When your proposed time of departure is six or more hours from the time of the briefing.
d. Inflight Briefing - request when needed to update a preflight briefing.
What pertinent information should a weather briefing include?
a. Adverse Conditions
b. VFR Flight Not Recommended
c. Synopsis
d. Current Conditions
e. Enroute Forecast
f. Destination Forecast
g. Winds Aloft
h. Notices to Airmen
i. ATC Delays
j. Airspace conditions (TFR’s)
What is HIWAS?
Hazardous In-flight Weather Advisory Service is a continuous broadcast of inflight weather advisories. NAVAIDSs with HIWAS capability are depicted on sectionals by an “H” in the upper right corner of the ID box.
What is an ATIS?
Automated Terminal Information Service - a continuous broadcast of recorded non control information in selected high activity terminal areas. Its purpose is to improve controller effectiveness by automating the transmission of routine information.
What type of information is provided in an ATIS broadcast?
a. Time of the latest observation
b. Wind (direction & speed)
c. Visibility (distance sm)
d. Cloud Layers & Ceiling (AGL)
e. Temperature and Dewpoint
f. Altimeter
g. Instrument approach & runway in use
What is a METAR?
A routine weather observation of the conditions at a given site and time.
What information is contained in a METAR?
a. ICAO station identifier
b. date and time of report
c. wind (direction and speed)
d. visibility
e. weather phenomena
f. sky condition
g. temperature/dew point
h. altimeter
i. remarks
Describe the various types os weather observing programs now in use.
a. Manual observations - made by FAA or NWS personnel.
b. AWOS - automated weather observing system
c. ASOS/AWSS - automated surface observing system. Can be transmitted over VHF radio or the voice portion of a NAVAID.
What are PIREPs
These reports contain information concerning weather as observed by pilots in route. Required elements for all PIREPs are message type, Location, time, flight level, type of aircraft, and at least one weather element encountered.
What are terminal aerodrome forecasts?
A TAF is a concise statement of the expected meteorological conditions within a five statue mile radius from the center of an airport runway complex during a 24 hour.
What is an aviation area forecast (FA)?
An FA is a forecast of VMC, clouds, and general weather conditions over an area the size of several states. It is used to determine forecast en-route weather and to interpolate conditions at airports which do not issue TAF.
How often are aviation area forecast issued?
FA’s are issued three times a day for each of the six areas in the contiguous 48 states.
What is a convective SIGMET?
Convective SIGMET implies severe or greater turbulence, severe icing and low-level wind shear.
What conditions would require a convective SIGMET to be issued?
a. severe thunderstorms due to: surface winds greater than or equal to 50 kn, hail at the surface greater to 3/4 inches in diameter, tornadoes
b. embedded thunderstorms
c. A line of thunderstorms
d. thunderstorms that produce precipitation levels greater than or equal to heavy intensity precipitation, affecting 40% or more of an area at least 3000 mi.²
What is a SIGMET?
Advises of non-convective weather that is potentially hazardous to all aircraft. Segments are issued for the 6 areas corresponding to the FA areas. The maximum forecast is four hours.
What conditions would require a SIGMET to be issued?
a. severe icing not associated with a thunderstorm
b. severe or extreme turbulence or a clear air turbulence not associated with thunderstorms
c. Dust storms or sandstorms lowering surface or in-flight visibility’s to below 3 miles
d. Volcanic ash
What is an AIRMET?
An AIRMET is an advisory of significant weather phenomenon for conditions at intensities lower than required for issuance of SIGMETs, issued every six hours.