Questions and Answers
What are the four types of weather observations?
What are Surface Aviation Weather Observations?
What is the Air Route Traffic Control Center responsible for?
ARTCC facilities are responsible for maintaining separation between flights conducted under IFR in the enroute structure.
What methods are used for observing upper air?
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What are the four types of radars?
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Who is the primary source for preflight weather?
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Which types of Weather Briefings exist?
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What does a standard briefing provide?
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What is an AIRMET?
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What is a SIGMET?
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What does SIGMET report?
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How long is a SIGMET valid for?
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What are the types of Briefings?
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What does a standard briefing provide?
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What are the contents of a Standard Briefing?
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What is an Abbreviated Briefing?
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What is an Outlook Briefing?
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What are Aviation Weather Reports?
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What is an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR)?
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What is Runway Visual Range (RVR)?
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What does Sky Cover signify?
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What is a TAF?
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What does 'FM' mean in TAFs?
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What does 'TEMPO' mean in TAFs?
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What does 'PROB30' indicate in TAFs?
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Airmets are concerns potentially hazardous to whom?
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What does an AIRMET include?
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What does 'Sierra' signify?
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What does 'Tango' represent?
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What does 'Zulu' indicate?
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In Winds aloft, why is 50 added?
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How is the wind coded if greater than 200 knots?
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Decode '7799'.
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What does '9900' mean?
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What does the four-digit data group show wind direction in reference to?
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When is a surface analysis chart transmitted?
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What does a surface analysis chart show?
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When can turbulence be expected to occur?
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How old can NEXRAD data in the mosaic age?
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Study Notes
Types of Weather Observations
- Four types: surface, upper air, radar, satellite.
- Surface observations include METARs, AWOS, and ASOS.
Air Traffic Control
- Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) maintains separation between IFR flights in the enroute structure.
Upper Air Observations
- Methods include radiosonde observations, PIREPs, Aircraft Meteorological Data Relay, and Meteorological Data Collection and Reporting System.
Radar Types
- Types of radar: WSR-88D NEXRAD (Doppler radar), terminal Doppler weather radar (TDWR), airport surveillance radar, and airborne radar.
Preflight Weather Sources
- Primary source is the Flight Service Station (FSS), accessible at 1-800-WX BRIEF.
Weather Briefings
- Types include Standard, Abbreviated, and Outlook.
- Standard briefings provide comprehensive weather information.
AIRMET and SIGMET
- AIRMET: Inflight advisories about conditions potentially hazardous to light aircraft and those with limited capabilities, like moderate icing and turbulence.
- SIGMET: Advisories for all aircraft concerning hazardous non-convective weather, including severe icing, turbulence, dust storms, and volcanic ash.
Briefing Types and Contents
- Standard briefing includes adverse conditions, VFR recommendations, weather synopsis, current conditions, and NOTAMs among others.
- Abbreviated briefings are shorter and serve to update previous briefings.
- Outlook briefings are for planned departures 6 hours or longer away.
Weather Reports
- Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR): Standardized report of current surface weather.
- Runway Visual Range (RVR): Distance a pilot can see down a runway.
Sky Cover Definitions
- SKC/CLR: less than 1/8 coverage.
- FEW: 1/8-2/8 coverage.
- SCT: 3/8-4/8 coverage.
- BKN: 5/8-7/8 coverage.
- OVC: 8/8 coverage (overcast).
Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF)
- TAF indicates weather conditions for a 5 SM radius around airports for 24-30 hours, updated four times daily.
- Utilizes "FM" for rapid changes and "TEMPO" for temporary fluctuations.
Wind Aloft Coding
- Wind speeds above 99 knots require adding 50 to the direction and subtracting 100 from the speed for coding.
- Wind groups above 200 knots are coded as 99 knots.
Surface Analysis and Turbulence
- Surface analysis charts are transmitted every 3 hours, depicting pressure areas, fronts, and local weather.
- Turbulence is likely with increased rainfall intensity.
NEXRAD Data
- NEXRAD mosaic data can be 15 to 20 minutes old, providing near real-time weather insights.
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Description
Test your knowledge on aviation weather services as outlined in PHAK Chapter 13. This quiz covers various types of weather observations, including surface and upper air data, as well as the role of Air Route Traffic Control Centers. Perfect for aviation students and pilots looking to refresh their knowledge.