Weather Information Flashcards
What is a good process for gathering weather data before each flight?
aviationweather. gov/briefing> check hazardous conditions (airmets,sigmets,convective sigmets)> check area forcast and winds aloft> check Prog, surface analysis, radar summary and weather depiction charts> look at METARs and TAFs at the airports you will be going to > after get a standard briefing.
* ALWAYS GET A STANDARD BRIEFING*
What methods are recorded? and Why is it important to have a briefing recorded?
1-800-WX-BRIEF or DUATs, because if anthing goes wrong, you want the FAA to know that you were aware of the weather conditions and performed the preflight check.
What is a Pilot Report (PIREP)?
Pilot reports are weather observations submitted by pilots. They are either listed as routine (UA) or urgent (UUA). Can be filed and obtained through a briefer, ATC, flight service stations…
What is a METAR?
An observation of weather conditions at the airport surface. Contains information such as location/time, wind, visibility, precip, sky coverage, temp/dewpoint, altimeter, remarks… It is issued hourly, roughly 50 minutes past the hour and is valid until next METAR is posted. or if a SPECI METAR is posted.
What is a Surface Analysis chart?
Displays front and pressure system positions along with detailed weather observations at various locations. It is issued every 3 hours, and is an observation (which means it is valid until the next chart is published).
What is a Radar Summary Chart?
Displays precipitation echoes, along with type, trend, movement and intensity. Issued hourly, and is valid 35 minutes past each hour.
Where do you find winds and temperatures aloft?
An FB is a forecast of wind speed and direction as well as temperatures over a specific reporting points at various altitudes. Issued 2 times daily.
Why are winds and temperatures aloft important?
You can get valuable information from them like most favorable altitude, areas of possible icing, temperature inversions, and turbulence.
How are values reported on an FB?
Each altitude is in MSL, winds are in knots, and direction is true. Winds forecasts are not issued for altitudes within 1,500ft of a locations elevation. Temperature is not issued for altitudes within 2,500ft of a locations elevation. If wind speed is above 100kts the message will be encoded (subtract 50 from direction and add 100 to speed). Light and Variable is 9900.
How can you determine the Freezing Level?
Freezing Level can be determined by Freezing Level charts, Airmet Zulu, Pireps, Winds/temps aloft, Prognostic chart, standard lapse rate of 2 Degrees per 1000 ft (for a general idea)
What is an Airmet (WA)? Issued?
Outlines area of hazardous weather that primarily affects smaller aircraft. Divided into 3 types: Sierra, Tango, Zulu.
Issued every 6 hours and valid for 6 hours
What is an Airmet Sierra?
Sierra is for widespread IFR conditions or mountain obscurations.
What is an Airmet Tango?
Tango is for moderate turbulence, low level wind shear, and or sustained surface winds greater to or equal to 30kts.
What is an Airmet Zulu?
Zulu is for moderate icing or freezing level.
What is a Sigmet? Issued?
Outlines areas of hazardous weather (not associated with a thunderstorm) that affects all aircraft. It includes severe icing, severe or greater turbulence, clear air turbulence, sand dust storms that lower visibility less than 3 miles, volcanic ash. Issued as required and is valid for 4 hours.
