Weather Services

Question 1

What are the four types of weather observations?

Answer 1

Surface, Upper Air, Radar, and Satellite

Question 2

Surface Observations

Answer 2

Local weather conditions, five mile radius, (METARS) current weather at individual ground stations across the United States.

Question 3

ARTCC

Answer 3

Air Route Traffic Control Center

Question 4

Job of the ARTCC

Answer 4

Maintaing separation between flights conducted under IFR in the en route structure

Question 5

Two methods of Upper Air Observations

Answer 5

Radiosonde observation and Pilot weather reports (PIREPS)

Question 6

What does SIGMET stand for?

Answer 6

Significant Meteorological Information

Question 7

SIGMETs

Answer 7

Safety to all aircraft, Cover area of 3,000 feet. Provide data regarding severe and extreme turbulence, severe icing, and widespread dust or sandstorms that reduce visibility to less than three miles.

Question 8

What does AIRMETs stand for?

Answer 8

Airmen’s Meteorological Information

Question 9

AIRMETs

Answer 9

Issued only to amend the area forecast, less severity than SIGMETs, moderate icing, moderate turbulence, sustained winds of 30 knots or more at the surface, ceilings less than 1,000 feet and visibility less than three miles, and extensive mountain obscurement.

Question 10

What are the three types of weather briefings?

Answer 10

Standard, Abbreviated, or Outlook

Question 11

Standard Briefing

Answer 11

Most complete report and provides the overall weather picture.

Question 12

Abbreviated Briefing

Answer 12

Shortened version of the standard briefing. Requested when departure has been delayed or when you need an update.

Question 13

Outlook Briefing

Answer 13

When departure is more than 6 hours away.

Question 14

How often are METARs published?

Answer 14

Every hour unless significant weather changes occur.

Question 15

When does ATC Required to solicit PIREPs from pilots in the area?

Answer 15

When the ceiling is below 5,000 feet, or visibility is at or below five miles

Question 16

What does TAF stand for?

Answer 16

Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts

Question 17

What is a TAF?

Answer 17

5 Statute miles around the airport, Valid for 30 hours, updated 4 times a day at 0000Z, 0600Z, 1200Z, and 1800Z.

Question 18

What does FA stand for?

Answer 18

Area Forecast

Question 19

What is an AF?

Answer 19

Picture of clouds, encompassing several states. 6 areas in the 48 states, Issued three times a day and are valid for 18 hours.

Question 20

How often are AIRMETs issued?

Answer 20

Every six hours

Question 21

What are the 3 AIRMETs?

Answer 21

Sierra for IFR and Mountain Obscuration
Tango for turbulence, strong surface winds, and low-level wind shear
Zulu for icing and freezing levels

Question 22

How often are SIGMETs put out?

Answer 22

Unscheduled forecast that are valid for 4 hours but if relating to hurricanes, it is valid for 6 hours.

Question 23

Convective SIGMET

Answer 23

Severe thunderstorms with surface winds greater than 50 knots, hail at eh surface, embedded thunderstorms, Issued 55 minutes past the hour, valid for 2 hours.

Question 24

Winds and Temp. Aloft?

Answer 24

Taken 2x a day, Wind direction is always given in true north and speed is given in knots.

Question 25

Surface Analysis Charts

Answer 25

Transmitted every 3 hours, Shows area of high and low pressure, fronts, temp, dew points, wind direction and speeds local weather and visual obstructions

Question 26

Weather Depiction Charts

Answer 26

Transmitted by computer every 3 hours beginning at 0100Z and valid at the time of the plotted data.

Question 27

Radar Summary Charts

Answer 27

Published hourly at 35 min. past the hour