PHAK Chapter 13 - Aviation Weather Services
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Questions and Answers

What are the four types of weather observations?

  • Satellite (correct)
  • Surface (correct)
  • Upper air (correct)
  • Radar (correct)

What are Surface Aviation Weather Observations?

  • ASOS (correct)
  • Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) (correct)
  • METARs (correct)

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?

<p>Meteorological Data Collection and Reporting System (A), Radiosonde observations (B), PIREPs (C), Aircraft meteorological Data Relay (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the four types of radars?

<p>Airborne Radar (A), WSR-88D NEXRAD (B), Terminal Doppler Weather Radar (TDWR) (C), Airport Surveillance Radar (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is the primary source for preflight weather?

<p>Flight Service Station (FSS)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which types of Weather Briefings exist?

<p>Outlook (A), Standard (B), Abbreviated (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does a standard briefing provide?

<p>The most complete information and a more complete weather picture.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an AIRMET?

<p>Advisories concerning weather conditions that are potentially hazardous to aircraft.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a SIGMET?

<p>Inflight advisories concerning non-convective weather that is potentially hazardous to all aircraft.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does SIGMET report?

<p>Dust storms that lower visibility (A), Volcanic ash (B), Severe or extreme turbulence (C), Severe icing (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How long is a SIGMET valid for?

<p>4 hours, unless a hurricane 6 hours.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the types of Briefings?

<p>Abbreviated (A), Standard (B), Outlook (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does a standard briefing provide?

<p>The most complete information and a more complete weather picture.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the contents of a Standard Briefing?

<p>Current conditions (A), VFR flight not recommended (B), Forecast winds and temperatures aloft (C), Adverse conditions (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an Abbreviated Briefing?

<p>A shortened standard briefing to update the previous briefing.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an Outlook Briefing?

<p>A briefing planned for departure 6 hours or more away.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are Aviation Weather Reports?

<p>Reports that give accurate depictions of current weather conditions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR)?

<p>Observation of current surface weather reported in a standard international format.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is Runway Visual Range (RVR)?

<p>The distance a pilot can see down the runway in a moving aircraft.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Sky Cover signify?

<p>1/8 to 2/8 (A), 5/8 to 7/8 (B), 3/8 to 4/8 (C), SKC, CLR, FEW (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a TAF?

<p>Terminal Aerodrome Forecast, updated 4 times a day.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does 'FM' mean in TAFs?

<p>Used when a rapid and significant change occurs within an hour.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does 'TEMPO' mean in TAFs?

<p>Used for temporary fluctuations of weather expected to last less than 1 hour.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does 'PROB30' indicate in TAFs?

<p>A given percentage describes the probability of thunderstorms and precipitation occurring in the coming hours.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Airmets are concerns potentially hazardous to whom?

<p>Light aircraft and aircraft with limited operational capabilities.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does an AIRMET include?

<p>Moderate icing, moderate turbulence, sustained surface winds of 30 knots, and ceilings less than 1,000ft.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Sierra' signify?

<p>IFR and mountain obscuration.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Tango' represent?

<p>Turbulence, strong surface winds, low-level wind shear.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Zulu' indicate?

<p>Icing and freezing levels.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In Winds aloft, why is 50 added?

<p>If wind speed is forecast greater than 99 but less than 199, 50 is added to direction and subtracts 100 from speed.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is the wind coded if greater than 200 knots?

<p>Wind group is coded as 99 knots.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Decode '7799'.

<p>Subtract 50 from 77 and add 100 to 99, wind 270° at 199 knots.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does '9900' mean?

<p>Wind speed is calm, or less than 5 knots, 'light and variable'.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the four-digit data group show wind direction in reference to?

<p>True north.</p> Signup and view all the answers

When is a surface analysis chart transmitted?

<p>Every 3 hours.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does a surface analysis chart show?

<p>Areas of high and low pressure, fronts, temperatures, and local weather.</p> Signup and view all the answers

When can turbulence be expected to occur?

<p>When the rate of rainfall or intensity of precipitation increases.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How old can NEXRAD data in the mosaic age?

<p>15 to 20 minutes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Surface Observations

Observations taken at the surface of the Earth, including weather conditions, wind speed and direction, temperature, and visibility.

METAR

A standardized weather report that provides current surface weather conditions.

AWOS

A system that provides automated weather observations at airports.

ASOS

Automated weather observation system used at major U.S. airports.

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Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC)

A specialized unit of air traffic control that oversees en route flights using Instrument Flight Rules (IFR).

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Upper Air Observations

Observations made at various altitudes above the Earth's surface, providing information about temperature, wind, humidity, and pressure.

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Radiosonde

A small balloon containing sensors that transmit data on temperature, humidity, wind speed, and direction.

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PIREPs

Weather reports from pilots in flight, providing valuable real-time information.

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Aircraft Meteorological Data Relay

A system used to transmit weather data from aircraft in flight to ground stations.

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Meteorological Data Collection and Reporting System

A system that collects weather observations from various sources, including aircraft, weather balloons, and ground stations.

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WSR-88D NEXRAD

A powerful type of Doppler radar used for weather surveillance, tracking storms, and detecting wind shear.

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Terminal Doppler Weather Radar (TDWR)

A specialized Doppler radar located at airports, providing detailed weather information for takeoffs and landings.

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Airport Surveillance Radar

Radar used for air traffic control, monitoring the movement of aircraft in the vicinity of airports.

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Airborne Radar

Radar mounted on aircraft, providing real-time weather data to pilots.

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Flight Service Station (FSS)

The primary source for preflight weather briefings and information.

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Standard Briefing

A standard briefing that covers all aspects of weather relevant to the flight.

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Abbreviated Briefing

A shorter briefing, updating a previous briefing with current weather information.

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Outlook Briefing

A briefing that focuses on weather conditions expected during a planned departure 6 hours or more in the future.

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SIGMET

An inflight advisory for all aircraft concerning hazardous non-convective weather, like severe icing, turbulence, and volcanic ash.

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AIRMET

An inflight advisory about conditions potentially hazardous to light aircraft, like moderate icing and turbulence.

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Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR)

A standardized weather report that summarizes current weather conditions at a particular airport.

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Runway Visual Range (RVR)

The distance a pilot can see horizontally down a runway.

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Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF)

A forecast that provides predicted weather conditions for a 5-mile radius around an airport for 24-30 hours.

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FM (Forecast Modification)

Indicates a rapid change in weather conditions within a TAF forecast.

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TEMPO (Temporary)

Indicates periods of temporary fluctuations in weather conditions within a TAF forecast.

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Surface Analysis Chart

A chart that depicts the distribution of pressure systems, fronts, and weather conditions across a region.

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NEXRAD Mosaic Data

A type of data that provides information on precipitation, wind, and other weather phenomena.

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Wind Aloft Coding (High Wind Speed)

Wind speeds above 99 knots are coded by adding 50 to the wind direction and subtracting 100 from the wind speed.

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Wind Aloft Coding (Very High Wind Speed)

Wind groups above 200 knots are coded as 99 knots.

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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.

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