AVT 1100

PART 141 – PRIVATE PILOT GROUND SCHOOL

GROUND LESSON 15
GL 15 – WEATHER
SERVICES
WEATHER SERVICES
Observations
• Four Types of weather observations which make up the basis of
weather reports and forecasts.
1. Surface
2. Upper Air
3. Radar
4. Satellite
WEATHER SERVICES
1) Surface Observations
• Ground weather observations obtained from government and
contract facilities across the U.S.
• Provide local weather conditions and information pertinent to a 5
mile radius of an airport
• Surface observations can be provided by person, automated
station, or combination.
• AWOS – Automated Weather Observing Systems
• ASOS – Automated Surface Observing Systems
• ARTCC – Air Route Controlling Center
WEATHER SERVICES
2) Upper Air Observations
• Two methods for obtaining upper air observations:
• Radiosonde Observations – H or He Balloon attached to instrumentation package
that gathers, temperature, pressure, wind direction and speed and relays that
information to a ground station.
• Duartion can last over 2 hours, ascend well in to the stratosphere, and travel over 100
miles
• Balloons eventually pop and instrumentation falls back to Earth – Over 75,000 balloons
launched annually and less than 20% are recovered.
• Pilot Reports (PIREPS)
• Reports given by pilots in flight. Some larger aircraft are equipped with weather data
link systems that provide in flight weather reporting.
• Only real time source of information for turbulence, icing, and cloud heights.
WEATHER SERVICES
3) Radar Observations
• Four types of Radar which show precipitation, wind and weather systems
i. NEXRAD – aka Doppler: Provides in-depth weather observations using two modes:
 Clear air mode is most sensitive operation, has slowest antennae rotation allowing
longer sample times and ability to detect details in the atmosphere
 Precipitation mode provides stronger return and updates weather information at a
faster rate. Provides more timely weather reporting
ii. FAA Terminal Doppler Weather Radar
 Installed at major U.S. airports providing severe weather alerts and warnings
 Allows ATC to advise pilots of gust fronts, low level wind shear, thunderstorms,
and heavy precipitation.
iii. FAA Airport Surveillance Radar - Primary function is to detect aircraft in vicinity. Older
technology but useful in location of weather in relation to aircraft position
iv. Airborne Radar – On board radar systems
WEATHER SERVICES
4) Satellite
• Single most important source of weather data worldwide.
• http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mfl/?n=satellite
• Three types of Satellite Imagery
• Visible – displays reflected sunlight from Earth’s surface, clouds, and matter in
atmosphere. Essentially black/white photo imagery of Earth. Daytime only
• Infrared – displays temperatures at surface, cloud levels, and other atmospheric
activity. The warmer a mass, the more infrared energy emits and is color coded on
imagery
• Water Vapor – Display quantity of water vapor. Most useful in locating movements
of weather systems, jet streams, and thunderstorms. Identify areas of little no
water vapor which would indicate clear skies; conversely areas of high water vapor
would signify areas of ceilings.
WEATHER SERVICES
Satellite Weather Products
Inflight Weather Advisories that advise pilots en-route of possible hazardous flight conditions that
may not have been forecasted at the time pf pre-flight wx brief.
SIGMETS - WS
• Weather advisories significant to the safety of all aircraft. Up to 4 hours; 6 hours for hurricane related
• Can cover an area up to 3,000 square miles
• Provides information regarding severe turbulence, severe icing, widespread dust storms and volcanic
ash that reduce visibility to less than a 3 mile visibility
Convective SIGMETS – WST
• Weather advisories regarding thunderstorms, tornadoes, hail greater than or equal to ¾ inch in
diameter as well as LLWS, severe turbulence, and severe icing
• Issued 55 mins past the hour; valid for 2 hours. Even if no hazardous exists – still issued as NONE
AIRMETS – (WA)
• Weather advisories, good for 6 hours, that contain weather conditions hazardous to single-engine,
light aircraft, and VFR pilots. Moderate icing/turbulence, sustained, surface winds 30kts or more, IFR
conditions, and mountain obscurement.
WEATHER SERVICES
Service Outlets - Government or private facilities that provide aviation weather services
• Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS)
• Primary source for pre flight weather information
• 1-800-wx-brief
• Transcribed Information Briefing Service (TIBS)
• Available through selected AFSS
• Contains automated telephone recordings of weather and aeronautical information
• Direct User Access Terminal Service (DUATS) www.duats.com
• Funded by the FAA, Allows any pilot with a current medical to access wx info and file a flight plan.
• En-Route Flight Advisory Service (EFAS) – Commonly known as Flight Watch
• En-route weather advisories tailored to type of flight, route, cruising altitude
• Contact on 122.0 between altitudes of 5,000ft and 17,500ft.
• Hazardous Inflight Weather Advisory (HIWAS)
• Broadcasts hazardous weather over selected navigational facilities
• Broadcast AIRMETS, SIGMETS, convective SIGMETS, and urgent PIREPS
WEATHER SERVICES
Weather Briefings – Obtained from a specialist at a FSS, AFSS, or NWS as part of pre-flight
planning process. Three types: Standard, Outlook and Abbreviated
Standard Briefing
• Most complete weather report providing an overall weather picture and is used as part of flight
planning process
• There is a standardized, sequential order to a standard briefing
• Adverse conditions – Allows for an immediate decision on to go or not to go. Includes
thunderstorm, icing, and other hazardous information. Also includes airport closings
• VFR Flight Not Recommended – Below VFR weather minimums. Pilot can still decide.
• Synopsis – Overview of weather. The big picture including major weather systems
• Current Conditions – Ceilings, visibility, winds, temps (within 2 hours of departure)
• En-route & Destination forecast – Expected conditions for flight/destination at time of travel
• NOTAMS – Associated NOTAMS not yet published. Published NOTAMS available upon request
• Other Information and ATC Delays: Briefer will usually provide radio frequencies to contact to
open flight plan and establish VFR Flight Following
WEATHER SERVICES
Weather Briefings – Obtained from a specialist at a FSS, AFSS, or NWS as part of pre-
flight planning process. Three types: Standard, Outlook and Abbreviated
Abbreviated Briefing
• Shortened version of the standard briefing (does not replace the standard!)
• Used for updates to weather (2 hour limitation from standard) and during flight delays
• Have information of your standard briefing available to advise wx briefer
Outlook Briefing
• Used when planned departure is greater than 6 hours
• Contains the initial forecasts and is limited in scope
• Gives advanced indication if flight looks possible or not likely
WEATHER SERVICES
Aviation Weather Reports
Aviation Routine Wx Report (METAR) and (SPECI)
• METAR - Hourly Observation of current surface weather reported in an international format
• SPECI – Special METAR issued when a significant weather change has occurred
• Know the 12 steps in the PHAK pgs 13-6 through 13-7
• Look at METARS at https://www.aviationweather.gov/metar?gis=off
WEATHER SERVICES
Aviation Weather Reports
Pilot Weather Reports (PIREPS)
• Most current weather information
confirming cloud tops/bases, wind shear,
turbulence, and icing
• If ceiling is below 5,000ft and/or visibility
below 5 miles, ATC is required to ask for
PIREPS from aircraft in the area
• Pilots are always encouraged to give
PIREP through a FSS or ATC.
• https://www.aviationweather.gov/airep?
gis=off
WEATHER SERVICES
Aviation Forecasts – Weather predictions based from weather condition
reports issued at timed intervals. Show patterns and areas of developing
weather.
Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAFs)
• Established for a 5 SM radius around an airport.
• Updated 4X daily at 0000Z, 0600Z, 1200Z, and 1800Z. Good for 24 or 30 hours
• Uses same descriptors and abbreviations as the METAR (often reported
together)
• Follow 10 steps in PHAK 13-09 – Know the difference between reporting and
valid times!
• https://www.aviationweather.gov/taf
WEATHER SERVICES
Aviation Forecasts – Weather predictions based from weather condition reports
issued at timed intervals. Show patterns and areas of developing weather.
Area Forecasts (FA)
• Gives picture of clouds, general wx conditions, and VMC over large area (several
states). Grouped in to 6 wide-scale areas over continental U.S.
• Issued 3X daily and valid for 18 hours:
• 18 hour Weather Synopsis
• 12 hour specific forecast plus an additional 6 hour categorical outlook.
• Four distinct Sections
1. Header – Location, date/time of issuance, period of validity, and coverage area
2. Precautionary Statements – IFR conditions, Obscurations, Thunderstorms, and hazardous
activity
3. Synopsis – Brief identification of pressure systems, fronts, and circulation patterns
4. VFR Clouds and WX – Expected sky conditions, visibility, and weather for next 12 hours and a
categorical outlook for an additional 6 hours.
WEATHER SERVICES
Aviation Forecasts – Weather predictions based from weather condition reports
issued at timed intervals. Show patterns and areas of developing weather.
Winds and Temperatures Aloft (FD)
• Provide wind and temperature forecasts for specific locations and altitudes
• 2X Daily @ 0000Z and 1200Z
• Winds are in reference to True North and speed is in Knots
• Temps above FL240 are always negative; Below FL240 there will be – to denote
negative
• Special Coding
• Wind speeds between 100 – 199 kts: Subtract 50 from wind direction and add 100 to the
wind speed
• Wind speeds equal or greater than 200kts, coded as +50 on the wind direction and “99”
for wind speed over 199kts
• Calm winds = 9900
WEATHER SERVICES
Weather Charts – Graphic charts that depict current or forecast weather.
Gives the big picture showing movement of weather systems and fronts
Surface Analysis Chart
• Analysis of current surface weather including areas of high and low pressure
systems, fronts, temperatures, dew points, wind direction and speeds, local
weather, and visual obstructions
• Released every 3 hours
• Bullet Points PHAK 13-13
• http://www.nws.noaa.gov/outlook_tab.php
WEATHER SERVICES
Weather Charts – Graphic charts that depict current or forecast weather.
Gives the big picture showing movement of weather systems and fronts
Weather Depiction Chart
• Transmitted every 3 hours beginning at 0100Z
• Details surface conditions derived from the METAR
• Displays major fronts or areas of high/low pressures
• Areas of IFR conditions (under 1,000 foot ceilings, less than 3 mi. visibility
• Circled and shaded
• Areas of MVFR conditions (1,000 – 3,000 ft ceiling and 3-5 mi visibility)
• Circled not shaded
• Areas of VFR (no ceilings or those greater than 3,000 and > 5 mi visibility)
• Not circled, not shaded
WEATHER SERVICES
Weather Charts – Graphic charts that depict current or forecast weather.
Gives the big picture showing movement of weather systems and fronts
Significant Prognostic Chart
• Divided in to two charts:
• High level Chart for altitudes from FL 250 to FL600
• Low-level chart from surface to FL240.
• Low Level Charts: 4 panel chart showing significant and surface weather.
1) 12 and 24 hour forecast chart
2) 36 and 48 hour forecast chart
• Each panel has
• Upper two panels show significant weather forecast
• Lower two panels show surface weather forecast
• https://www.aviationweather.gov/progchart/low
WEATHER SERVICES
Weather Charts – Graphic charts that depict current or forecast weather.
Gives the big picture showing movement of weather systems and fronts
Radar Summary Chart
• Chart that contains collection of radar weather reports
• Published hourly at :35 after
• Show precipitation type and intensity, height of tops, echo configurations
(cells or lines of activity) and weather watches
• Will not give cloud or fog information
• http://www.nws.noaa.gov/radar_tab.php
WEATHER SERVICES

Completion Standards
and
Study Assignment