Course 5 - Section 15 - Other Aviation Reports Flashcards
Other Aviation Reports, when are they reported?
GFAs and FDs are issued at specific times
AIRMETs, SIGMETs and PIREPs are issued only when conditions warrant
Graphical Area Forecasts (GFAs)
- Produced by environment canada for seven distinct areas covering the entirety of the canadian domestic airspace
- each chart describes the most likely meteorological conditions expected to occur between the surface and 24000 feet over a given area, during a specific time frame
-GFAs use the same codes as METARs and TAFs
-GFA charts are designed primarily to meet the needs of general aviation and regional air carriers
When are GFAs issued?
0530,1130,1730,2330 UTC
for
0600,1200,1800,0000 respectively
GFA charts contain what information?
- cloud base and tops
- weather systems
- icing
- turbulence
- precipitation
- visibility (always included)
- Wind (included only if greater than 20 knots or with gusts of 30 knots or more)
There are two types of GFA charts that are used together. List them:
- Clouds and Weather (CLDS, WX)
- Icing, Turbulence and Freezing level (ICG, TURB and FZLVL)
SIGMETs
A SIGMET is a weather advisory about specified weather phenomena, currently occuring or expected to occur within the next four hours, WHICH AFFECT THE SAFETY OF ALL AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS
SIGMETs ONLY REPORT THE MOST SERIOUS HAZARDS TO AVIATION
THEY DO NOT CONTAIN ALL THE PHENOMENA THAT ARE OF IMPORTANCE TO LIGHT AIRCRAFT OR TO VFR OPERATIONS
What phenomenon will trigger a SIGMET?
What is the timeline?
AIRMETs
AIRMETs are short term weather advisories intended for all aircraft in flight areas where weather conditions may post a safety risk
AIRMETs are particularly important to pilots of smaller aircraft AND ARE TYPICALLY ISSUED FOR A PERIOD OF SIX HOURS
An AIRMET is issued for its specific weather phenomenon that are occurring or may occur, if not included in the GFA chart
When a phenomenon described in a SIGMET decreases in intensity but meets AIRMET criteria, the SIGMET is cancelled and an AIRMET is issued
AIRMETs are also used to amend the GFA when significant weather that was forecast does not occur or significant weather that was not forecast does occur
What triggers the issuing of an AIRMET?
Who issues AIRMETs?
PIREPs
PIREPs are reports of weather conditions usually given by pilots while in flight. These reports are extremely useful for operations since they are often the only weather information available for certain areas
ATS personnel accept pilot reports as provided by the pilot. However, additional information may be request at times
What are the two types of PIREPs? (LIST)
Routine PIREP
Urgent PIREP
Routine PIREP
A routine PIREP contains weather information that is not critical to flight, but is helpful for other pilots as well as forecasters
Urgent PIREP
Urgent PIREPs contain weather elements that could be hazardous for aircraft and are broadcast immediately by air traffic services
What elements MUST a PIREP include?
A PIREP may contain many elements, but it MUST identify location, time, flight level and aircraft type and weather it is ROUTINE OR URGENT
It must also contain at least one parameter of significance to aviation
Elements of a PIREP
PIREP Example
PIREP Example
Why are PIREPs useful?
FDs
- REMEMBER TO CHECK THAT THE FD IS VALID TIMEWISE
*REMEMBER THAT TEMPS ABOVE 24000 FEET ARE ASSUMED NEGATIVE AND MINUS SIGN OMITTED
15 Knots
Low altitude
(for 0700Z)
Reporting Conditions to Pilots
Icing Reports
Reporting Conditions to Pilots
Turbulence Reports
Reporting Conditions to Pilots
What sources can you get information about possible WIND SHEAR hazards?
Reporting Conditions to Pilots
CB Cloud Reports
ATS PERSONNEL MUST ALWAYS ADVISE PILOTS OF ANY PREVIOUS PIREPs CONCERNING TURBULENCE
WHENEVER CB CLOUDS ARE KNOWN TO EXIST, THIS SHOULD BE RELAYED TO PILOTS AS WELL
THE NEED TO WARN PILOTS OF TURBULENCE CANNOT BE OVEREMPHASIZED
