Weather Information : B - Obtaining Weather Information Flashcards
What is the primary means of obtaining a weather briefing?
A Flight Service Station (FSS) is the primary source of preflight weather information. Weather briefings are available via 1-800-WX-BRIEF and 1800wxbrief.com
(FAA-H-8083-25, AIM 7-1-2)
What are some examples of other sources of weather information (besides an FSS)?
a. Weather and aeronautical information available from numerous private industry sources.
b. Flight Information Services (FIS-B via ADS-B In).
c. Aviation Weather Cameras (available throughout Alaska).
(AIM 7-1-8, 7-1-9, 7-1-11)
You’re planning a cross-county flight. Does the weather data provided by commercial and/or third party vendors satisfy the preflight action required by 14 CFR §91.103?
Pilots and operators should be aware that weather services provided by entities other than FAA, NWS, or their contractors may not meet FAA/NWS quality control standards. All operators and pilots contemplating using such services should request and/or review an appropriate description of services and provider disclosure. Pilots and operators should be cautious when using unfamiliar products, or products not supported by FAA/NWS technical specifications. When in doubt, consult with an FAA Flight Service Specialist.
What types of weather briefings are available from an AFSS/FSS briefer?
Standard briefing — Request when you are planning a flight and you have not received a previous briefing or have not received preliminary information through mass dissemination media.
Abbreviated briefing — Request when you need information to supplement mass disseminated data, update a previous briefing, or when you need only one or two items.
Outlook briefing — Request whenever your proposed time of departure is six or more hours from the time of the briefing; for planning purposes only.
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 (NOTAMs).
i. ATC Delay.
j. Pilots may obtain the following from FSS briefers upon request:
information on special use airspace (SUA) and SUA-related airspace, including alert areas, MOAs, MTRs (IFR, VFR, VR, and SR training routes), warning areas, and ATC assigned airspace (ATCAA); a review of the printed NOTAM publication; approximate density altitude data; information on air traffic services and rules; customs/immigration procedures; ADIZ rules; search and rescue; runway friction measurement value NOTAMs; GPS RAIM availability; and other assistance as required.
(AIM 7-1-5)
Describe the Flight Information Service – Broadcast (FIS-B).
FIS-B is a ground-based broadcast service provided through the ADS-B Universal Access Transceiver (UAT) network. The service provides users with a 978 MHz data link capability when operating within range and line-of-sight of a transmitting ground station. FIS-B enables users of properly equipped aircraft to receive and display a suite of broadcast weather and aeronautical information products.
(AIM 7-1-11)
Can onboard datalink weather (FIS-B) be useful in navigating an aircraft safely around an area of thunderstorms?
Weather data linked from a ground weather surveillance radar system is not real-time information; it displays recent rather than current conditions. This data is typically updated every 5 minutes, but can be as much as 15 minutes old by the time it displays in the cockpit. Therefore, FIS aviation weather products are not appropriate for tactical avoidance of severe weather such as negotiating a path through a weather hazard area.
(AC 00-24, AIM 7-1-11)
While en route, how can a pilot obtain updated weather information?
a. FSS on 122.2 and appropriate RCO (remote communication outlet) frequencies.
b. ATIS/ASOS/AWOS broadcasts along your route of flight.
c. Listen to ARTCC broadcasts—AWWs, Convective SIGMETs, SIGMETs, AIRMET, Urgent PIREPs, or CWA alerts are broadcast once on all frequencies, except emergency.
d. Datalink weather—cockpit display of FIS-B information.
e. ATC (workload permitting).
(FAA-H-8083-25)
