Weather Products and Resources Required for Preflight Planning Flashcards
Weather Products (TEXTUAL)
METAR:
Issued: 55 Min past hour
Valid: Until updated
Current Weather
TAF:
Issued: Every 6 hours
Valid: 24 hours
Forecasted Weather
Airmet:
Issued:0-6 hours as necessary.
Valid: 6 hours
Current and Forecasted Weather
Sigmet:
Issued: As Required
Valid: 4 hours
Current and Forecasted Weather
Convective Sigmet:
Issued: 55 min past hour
Valid: 2 hours
Current and Forecasted Weather
METAR
Provides surface observations for aviation purposes in the terminal area (0 - 10NM)
Automated versions are ASOS and AWOS.
ATIS run by human.
TAF
Provides concise weather forecasts for aviation purposes within 5 SM of the Runway.
Issued by National Weather Service
Issued 4x daily (every 6 hours)
Airmet, Sigmet and Convective Sigmet.
Airmen’s Meteorological Information (AIRMET)
Description of current or forecasted weather affecting safe operation of aircraft.
Issued if any of the following conditions affect and area greater than 3000 sq miles
Sierra:
Mountain Obscuration
Ceilings < 1000ft AGL
Visibility < 3 SM
Tango:
Moderate Turbulence
SFC Winds > 30kts and LLWS
Zulu
Moderate Icing and Freezing levels.
Significant Meteorological Information (SIGMET)
Contains significant weather phenomena affecting all aircraft.
Issued for:
Severe Turbulence
Severe Icing
Dust and Sandstorms
Volcanic Ash
Convective SIGMET
Convective SIGMET = Thunderstorm SIGMET
Issued every hour 55 min past the hour.
If no convective activity it will read: “CONVECTIVE SIGMET …. NONE”
Valid for 2 hours or until superseded
Issued for:
Active Thunderstorms affecting atleast 3000 sq Miles.
Embedded or severe thunderstorms lasting longer than 30 minutes
Tornadoes
Surface winds > 50kts
Hail with diameter > 3/4 inch
PIREPS
Pilot Weather Report (PIREP)
Observations of crewmembers in flight useful for preflight planning and in flight planning and decision making.
UA = Routine PIREP
UUA = Urgent PIREP
