e) Interpreting Operational Meteorological Information

Question 1

Visual Meteorological Conditions
“G”

Answer 1

Vis - 5000m (8000m above 10,000ft)
Cloud - 1500m ↔
Cloud - 1000ft ↕

When below 3000FT AMSL or 1000 AGL -clear of cloud and in sight of G&W

Question 2

Visual Meteorological Conditions
“A,C,E”

Answer 2

Vis - 5000m (8000m above 10,000ft)
Cloud - 1500m ↔
Cloud - 1000ft ↕

Question 3

Visual Meteorological Conditions
“D”

Answer 3

Vis - 5000m
Cloud - 600m ↔
Cloud - 1000ft ↑
Cloud - 500ft ↓

Question 4

Cloud amount are cumulative…

Answer 4

FEW+FEW = SCT
FEW+SCT = BKN
SCT+SCT = BKN/OVC

Question 5

What period TAF must cover for your flight planning?

Answer 5

TAF must cover 30m before and 60m after your ETA

TAF covers an area 8km radius of AD

Question 6

What doesn’t apply on TAF3 ?

Answer 6

a)10.7.2.7 Buffer 30min FM/BCMG (30min before&after FM/BCMG)
a)10.7.2.8 Buffer 30min Before and After Inter/Tempo and Inter/Tempo for TS and sev Turb
b) Alternate/Holding fuel - 10.7.2.1 Reduction in Visibility or 10.7.2.5 Prob 30/40 for TS or Sev Turb

Question 7

What change in conditions will trigger a SPECI ?

Answer 7

• Cloud - > SCT at or BLW alternate minima
• Vis - at or BLW alternate minima
• Wind - Mean directions change >30° and Speed gust vary >10kt
• QNH - changes >2hpa
• Temp - changes > 5°C
• Other Conditions - TS,GR,SN,RA,FZ precipitation,DR SN,DS,SS,SQ,FG,Wind Shear,Passage of front

Question 8

What forecast weather charts to use above 10,000ft ?

Answer 8

• SIGWX - significant weather (FL250-FL630HIGH) and (FL100-FL250Medium)
• RSWT -route sector winds and temperature
• GPWT - grid point wind and temperature
• Wind/Temperature Charts

Question 9

What forecast weather charts to use below 10,000ft ?

Answer 9

GAF - graphical area forecast

Question 10

For this section (Interpreting Operational Met Info) what information should be collected and interpreted ?

Answer 10

Notam - Head Office, FIR Notam (en route) Location specific Notam (Aerodrome)
Current weather Report and Forecast - Departure, Destination, Alternate, En route

Question 11

Do 30 minutes buffer periods apply either side of the FM period for the first 3 hours of a TAF3?

Answer 11

No, not under the new TAF3 criteria

Question 11

Do INTER or TEMPO periods have buffer periods within the first 3-hours of a TAF3?

Answer 11

No
A TEMPO or INTER forecast prefixed with FM periods do not require any buffer with the FM period inside the first 3 hours of a TAF3.

Question 12

If presented with a TAF
and a TAF3, which is the
more accurate one which
should be used assuming
both are valid, and within 3
hours of issue?

Answer 12

TAF3

Question 13

What is the validity of an INTER on a weather forecast?

Answer 13

30min

INTER means an operational requirement is in place indicating frequent changes for 30 mins.
There is a buffer of 30 mins either side of the onset of the INTER to its completion.

Question 14

What is the validity of an TEMPO on a weather forecast?

Answer 14

60min

Question 15

What is the validity of a TAF3 on a weather forecast?

Answer 15

3 hours

Question 16

AIREP Special

Answer 16

PIC should make AIREP Special report when requested or as soon as practicable after encountering or observing hazardous meteorological conditions

Question 17

SIGMET

Answer 17

Description of the occurence or expected ocurrence of specified phenomena which may affect the safety of acft operation (severe impact)

Question 18

AIRMET

Answer 18

Information about the occurrence or expected occurence of certain phenomena that have not been included in a current GAF (lesser degree of severity)

Question 19

AWIS - aerodrome weather information service
WATIR - weather and terminal information reciter

Answer 19

Transmit meteorological information from AWS (automatic weather station) via phone number or VHF radio broadcast (real time data)