International Data

Question 1

List the different types of international alphanumeric current and forecast data:

Answer 1

• Metar
• TAF
• Sigmet
• Airmet
• Pirep
• Area Forecast
• Upper Winds
• Convective outlook

Question 2

What 2 items aren’t contained in american metars?

Answer 2

Wind shear and Recent codes

Question 3

In an American METAR, a routine obs can be between ______ and _____

Answer 3

H+45 and H

Question 4

An M preceding the visibility value means?

Answer 4

Less than

Question 5

Automated stations without a precipitation descriptor are identified as _____

Answer 5

A01

Question 6

Automated stations with a precipitation descriptor are identified as _____

Answer 6

A02

Question 7

What does the peak wind in the metar signify?

Answer 7

the maximum instantaneous wind speed since the last METAR that exceeded 25kts

Question 8

What will lightning be shown as on the metar based on its distance?

Answer 8

A. wtn 5 NM of ALP will be TS
B. btn 5-10 NM VCTS
C more than 10 but <30 NM will be reported as LTNG DSNT in remarks with direction.

Question 9

What is the definition of ALP?

Answer 9

Airport Location point

The permanent reference point defined by the latitude and longitude published in the Airport facility directory

Question 10

What are the 4 different types of lightning strikes reported?

Answer 10

CG
IC
CC
CA

Question 11

What is the value for frequent lightning?

Answer 11

FRQ: 1-6 flashes a minute

OCNL, CONS

Question 12

With the beginning and ending of precip, are the coded remarks required in SPECI?

Answer 12

no

Question 13

At locations where SPECIs are not taken what is the remark?

Answer 13

NO SPECI

Question 14

For snow increasing rapidly, what is the remark used and what is the measurement?

Answer 14

SNINCR and its formatted in inches fallen/inches on the ground

Question 15

The hourly precipitation amount is coded in

Answer 15

Hundreds of an inch. 0000 = trace

Question 16

What does CAVOK need?

Answer 16

• no cloud below 5000ft, or MSA whichever is higher and no CB
• Vis 6 or more
• No precip, TS, shallow fog or drifting snow

Question 17

What additional data is included in certain military base forecasts?

Answer 17

• lowest altimeter for a certain period
• Icing layer
• turbulence layer
• Max and min forecast temperature
• nature of observation (human or automated)

Question 18

The US area forecast must be used in conjunction with:

Answer 18

Airmet Sierra bulletin (IFR)

Question 19

FAs are issued ___ times a day for each of the ___ areas of the contiguous US plus _______

Answer 19

-3
-6
Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean

Question 20

the FA consists of:

Answer 20

• A 12 hour forecast plus a 6 hour outlook
• Synopsis section
• VFR clouds and weather section

Question 21

The alaskan FAs are issued ____ times daily

Answer 21

4

Question 22

The description of forecast weather in American FAs differs from canadian FAs in the following ways:

Answer 22

• Areas of cloud and weather are described for each state without reference to a synoptic system
• Cloud bases are given as in METARs
• Cloud tops are only given for BKN or OVC layers and only the highest layer
• Vis below 3 are only given in associated airmet sierra

Question 23

For the contiguous 48 states, the location of weather phenomena will be stated with respect to:

Answer 23

2 letter state identifiers and delineated by VORs

Question 24

Convective sigmet bulletins are issued at:

Answer 24

hour +55

Question 25

How long are convective sigmets valid for?

Answer 25

2 hours, followed by a 2-6 hour outlook

Question 26

What are the 4 criteria for issuing a convective sigmet?

Answer 26

- Severe thunderstorm - embedded thunderstorms - Line of thunderstorms - Intense thunderstorms

Question 27

Non convective sigmets are valid for:

Answer 27

a maximum of 4 hours

Question 28

What are the 4 criteria for a non convective sigmet?

Answer 28

- Severe icing - Severe or extreme turbulence - duststorm or sandstorm reducing vis below 3 - Volcanic ash

Question 29

remind the pilot that another briefing may be advisable , especially if any of the following applies:

Answer 29

- Time of departure is more than 4 hours away - Complete briefing was not provided - the time between the briefing and the ETA is more than 4 hours

Question 30

What is the function of an american airmet?

Answer 30

It advises of weather, other than convective, that may be hazardous to single engine and other light aircraft conducting VFR flight.

Question 31

what are the 3 american airmets?

Answer 31

``` Airmet Sierra (IFR conditions) Airmet Tango (Turbulence) Airmet Zulu (Icing) ```

Question 32

how many times are american airmets issued daily and how long are they valid for?

Answer 32

issued 4 times, valid for 6 hours plus a 6 hour outlook.

Question 33

Airmet Sierra is issued for:

Answer 33

- Ceilings less than 1000ft and/or vis less than 3 miles affecting over 50% of an area - Extensive mountain obscuration

Question 34

Airmet Tango is issued for:

Answer 34

- Moderate turbulence | - Sustained surface winds of 30kts or more

Question 35

Airmet Zulu is issued for

Answer 35

- Moderate Icing | - Freezing levels

Question 36

If the criteria is not met, will an airmet still be issued?

Answer 36

yes!

Question 37

What are the differences between canadian and international pireps

Answer 37

- Indicators are coded for WX - Flight visibility will be the first entry in the WX field - Different abbreviations may be used

Question 38

International FBs represent forecast winds over the world for every _____ degree of latitude and longitude

Answer 38

5

Question 39

What is the difference between the FB and FD bulletins?

Answer 39

FB has 3 digits for the wind speed, and negative temps are indicated by the letter M rather than a -

Question 40

The US convective outlook is a ______ day outlook

Answer 40

3

Question 41

Note the following with regards to american pirep codes

Answer 41

- useful cloud and weather information is under /sk /wx - miscoding is common - Not all fields may be reported - it can be helpful to have a list of identifiers nearby

Question 42

The 5 risk categories in the convective outlook are:

Answer 42

- No significant thunderstorms - General thunderstorms - Slight Risk - Moderate Risk - High risk

Question 43

Users can assess from the data from the convective outlook:

Answer 43

- Geographic areas where severe weather is expected to occur - perceived levels of threat - Areas where extreme severe weather is expected.