Weather Products Flashcards
Pilots must obtain a forecast for the route to be flown ________________ or, if unavailable, ________________.
- Prior to departure or,
- Within 30 minutes after departure.
Examples of MET products
- GAF
- TAFS
- METAR
- SIGWX
- SIGMET
Elements of a GAF
- Comprise a statement of the general synoptic situation and the meteorological conditions expected to prevail in the designated area.
- GAF areas are given names, for example, NSW-E, NSW-W, NT, QLD-N, QLD-S, SA, TAS, VIC, WA-S and WA-N.
- GAFs will not be amended.
- Any changes will be solely in the form of an AIRMET.
- A GAF Correction will be issued between standard issues times.
- Areas within the GAF have information on surface visibility and weather and freezing level (FZLVL).
GAFs are produced for ________ areas across Australia.
10
How long is forecast route sector winds and temps valid?
6 hours
At what flight levels are route sector winds and temps forecast?
- F185
- F235
- F300
- F340
- F385
- F445
Elements of SIGWX (Medium)
Shows low-level disposition of significant weather:
- Areas of Cumulonimbus and mid level cloud
- Icing
- Freezing level contours
- Turbulence and Clear Air Turbulence (CAT)
- Surface locations of significant fronts
- Tropical cyclones
- Volcanic eruptions
Elements of SIGWX (High)
Shows high-level disposition of significant weather:
- Areas of Cumulonimbus
- Areas of Clear Air Turbulence (CAT)
- Tropical cyclones
- Jetstream location and spot wind speed
- Heights of tropopause
- Volcanic eruptions
Elements of Mean Level Sea Pressure Chart
- Updated every 6 hours
- Issued 00, 06, 12, 18
- Show pressure systems, fronts and areas of rainfall
- Give pilots an overview of current wx situation and wind-flow
Elements of IR Satellite image.
- Infrared satellite charts are derived from radiation emitted from the Earth and its atmosphere at thermal-infrared wavelengths.
- These images provide information on the temperature of the underlying surface or cloud.
- IR images are available 24 hours per day.
- Black represents the hot areas and white the cold areas. Since clouds are generally colder than the ground they show up as white.
Elements of WX Radar
- Show rainfall intensity over a map
- Doppler radar shows wind speed with precipitation
- Static picture or animated loop
- Observations at selected points can be displayed
In TAAATS weather radar is available on the ARDDDS screens
Elements of Aerological Diagrams
- Are plots of soundings from a radiosonde
- Temp and dew point vs altitude
- Inversions, Cloud development, winds and atmospheric stability can be determined
- Current trace is RED
- Previous flight trace is BLUE
Elements of Area QNH Forecast
- Area QNH is a forecast value which is valid for a period of 3 hours and normally applies throughout an Area QNH Zone (AQZ).
- Area QNH Zones will be subdivided if necessary
- Area QNH forecasts are to be within ±5 hpa of the actual QNH at any low-level point in the area.
- Area QNH must not differ from an adjoining Area QNH by more than 5 ha.
