Unit 3 Unmanned Aircraft Module 2 – Aviation Weather Services

Module 2 – Aviation Weather Services 2.1 – Weather Observations 107.71 Retesting after failure An applicant for a knowledge test who fails that test may not reapply for the test for 14 calendar days after failing the test. Weather Observations Combined effort of National Weather Service (NWS), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Defense (DOD), and other aviation groups Though not 100 percent accurate meteorologist use computers to predict the weather patterns, trends, and characteristics Government agencies, weather observers, pilots and other aviation professionals receive knowledge from up to date weather information Surface Aviation Weather Observations Compilation of elements of the current weather at individual ground stations across the US Network is made of government and privately contracted faculties that provide constant up to date info Automated systems Automated Weather Observing Systems (AWOS) and Automated Surface Observing Systems (ASOS) play a major role in gatherings surface observations

Module 2 – Aviation Weather Services 2.1 – Weather Observations Surface Aviation Weather Observations Surface observations provide local weather conditions relevant to a specific airport This information includes: Type of report Station Identifier Date and Time Modifier (as required) Wind Visibility Runway visual range Weather phenomena Sky condition Temperature / dew point Altimeter reading Applicable remarks May come from a person, automated station an automated station that is updated or enhanced by a weather observer Covers a small area and can be beneficial to a remote pilot

Module 2 – Aviation Weather Services 2.1 – Weather Observations Radar Observations Four types of radar that provide wind and precipitation information Dopplar Radar (WSR-88D NEXRAD) Inform communities of the weather Has two modes Clear Air – most sensitive mode, slow antenna rotation allows for a longer sample time Precipitation – faster rotation allow images to update faster every 4-6 minutes Intensity values measure in decibels of Z, dBZ, and are depicted in color or radar images TDWR, FAA terminal Doppler Provides sever weather alerts and warnings to ATC Ensures operators are aware of gust fronts, heavy precipitation, wind shear and other dangerous weather arriving and departing form an airport FAA airport surveillance radar Used in detecting precipitation, aids to located and measure intensity of precipitation Used to route aircraft around severe weather in the airport environment Airborne radar Carried by aircraft to locate weather disturbances Operate in C or X bands measuring heavy and well as less intense precipitation

Module 2 – Aviation Weather Services 2.1 – Weather Observations Service Outlets Government, government contract, or private facilities that provide aviation weather services FAA, NOAA, and NWS work with private aviation companies to provide different ways of accessing weather information Flight Service Station (FSS) Preflight weather information Can be obtained 24 hours a day (1.800.WXBRIEF) from anywhere in the US Telephone Information Briefing Service (TIBS) Provided by FSS Systems of meteorological and aeronautical information Provides route and area briefings, airspace procedures, and special announcements Recordings are updated when changes occur Hazardous Inflight Weather Advisory Service (HIWAS) Automated continuous broadcast of hazardous weather information over selected VOR navigational aids (NAVIDS) VORs with HIWAS have an “H” in the upper right corner of the identification box

Module 2 – Aviation Weather Services Aviation Weather Reports Gives accurate depictions of current weather conditions Typical report types are METARs PIREPs METAR – Aviation Routine Weather Report Observation of current surface weather reported in a standard international format Issued on regular basis unless significant weather changes occure Special METAR (SPECI) can be used at any time between routine METAR reports METAR KDAB 161753Z AUTO 14021G26KT 3/4SM +TSRA BR BKN008 OVC012CB 18/17 A2970 RMK PRESFR

Module 2 – Aviation Weather Services METAR KDAB 161753Z AUTO 14021G26KT 3/4SM +TSRA BR BKN008 OVC012CB 18/17 A2970 RMK PRESFR METAR Two types Regular time interval METAR SPECI METAR – given at anytime for rapidly changing conditions, aircraft mishaps, or other critical information

Module 2 – Aviation Weather Services METAR KDAB 161753Z AUTO 14021G26KT 3/4SM +TSRA BR BKN008 OVC012CB 18/17 A2970 RMK PRESFR KDAB – Station identifier Four letter code established by International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) An unique three letter identifier preceded by country designation K – USA DAB – airport identifier ICAO identifier indicates the region, country, or state (PA for Alaska, PH for Hawaii) Can be found searching websites like SUATS and NOAA’s Aviation Weather Aviation Digital Date Services (ADDS)

Module 2 – Aviation Weather Services METAR KDAB 161753Z AUTO 14021G26KT 3/4SM +TSRA BR BKN008 OVC012CB 18/17 A2970 RMK PRESFR 161753Z – Date/Time Date and time of report depicted in a six-digit group First two are date last four are time of the METAR/SPECI Time is given in Universal Standard Time (UTC) “Z” appended to the end of the time to denote the time is given in Zulu Time (UTC) not Local Time

Module 2 – Aviation Weather Services METAR KDAB 161753Z AUTO 14021G26KT 3/4SM +TSRA BR BKN008 OVC012CB 18/17 A2970 RMK PRESFR AUTO – type of generation Auto – automated generation Also lists “AO1” (for no precipitation discriminator or “AO2” (with precipitation discriminator) in the remarks section to indicate the type of precipitation sensors employed at the automated station COR – corrected METAR

Module 2 – Aviation Weather Services METAR KDAB 161753Z AUTO 14021G26KT 3/4SM +TSRA BR BKN008 OVC012CB 18/17 A2970 RMK PRESFR Wind Reported as 5 digits unless speed is more an 99 knots then 6 digits are used First three digits indicate true direction wind is blowing from in 10s of degrees If variable VAR is used If more then 60 degrees of swing and more than 6 knots a separate set of numbers separated by a “V” will indicate he extremes of the wind directions Last 2 or 3 digits indicate speed If it is gusting the letter “G” follows the wind speed with the peak gust recorded

Module 2 – Aviation Weather Services METAR KDAB 161753Z AUTO 14021G26KT 3/4SM +TSRA BR BKN008 OVC012CB 18/17 A2970 RMK PRESFR Visibility Reported in Statue Miles “SM” Reported in miles and fractions of a mile At times Runway Visual Range (RVR) is reported RVR is the distance a pilot can see down the runway, runway number / visibility in feet R17/1400Ft – 1400 ft visibility on runway 17 Right

Module 2 – Aviation Weather Services METAR KDAB 161753Z AUTO 14021G26KT 3/4SM +TSRA BR BKN008 OVC012CB 18/17 A2970 RMK PRESFR Weather – two categories qualifiers and weather phenomenon Qualifiers of intensity, proximity and the descriptor Intensity – (-) light, ( ) Moderate, (+) Heavy Proximity only depict weather phenomena that are in the airport vicinity “VC” indicates 5 to 10 miles from the airport Descriptors Used to describe certain types of precipitation and obscuration Ex, Precipitation , squalls, funnel clouds

Module 2 – Aviation Weather Services METAR KDAB 161753Z AUTO 14021G26KT 3/4SM +TSRA BR BKN008 OVC012CB 18/17 A2970 RMK PRESFR Sky conditions In sequence of amount, height, and type or indefinite ceiling/height (vertical visibility) Cloud bases are reported in three digit number in hundreds of feet AGL Clouds above 12000 are not observed or reported by automated systems Types of clouds, cumulus (TCU) cumulonimbus (CB), are reported with their heights Contractions are used to describe the amount of cloud coverage and obscuring phenomena Coverage reported in 8th of the sky from horizon to horizon

Module 2 – Aviation Weather Services METAR KDAB 161753Z AUTO 14021G26KT 3/4SM +TSRA BR BKN008 OVC012CB 18/17 A2970 RMK PRESFR Temp Temperature in Celsius Temps below 0 preceded by “M” for Minus Dewpoint

Module 2 – Aviation Weather Services METAR KDAB 161753Z AUTO 14021G26KT 3/4SM +TSRA BR BKN008 OVC012CB 18/17 A2970 RMK PRESFR Altimeter setting reported as inches of mercury (Hg) in four digit number group Always preceded with “A” Rising or falling pressure may be indicated in remarks by “PRESRR” or “PRESSFR”

Module 2 – Aviation Weather Services 107.73 Initial recurrent knowledge tests An initial aeronautical knowledge test covers the following areas of knowledge: Applicable regulations relating to small unmanned aircraft system rating privileges, limitations, and flight operation; Airspace classification, operating requirements, and flight restrictions affecting small unmanned aircraft operation; Aviation weather sources and effects of weather on small unmanned aircraft performance; Small unmanned aircraft loading; Emergency procedures; Crew resource management; Radio communication procedures; Determining the performance of small unmanned aircraft; Physiological effects of drugs and alcohol; Aeronautical decision making and judgement; Airports operations; and Maintenance and preflight inspection procedures. Pilot Weather Reports (PIREPs) Provide valuable information regarding the conditions as the actually exist in the air Remote pilots can confirm height of bases and tops of clouds, locations of wind shear and turbulence, and the location of inflight icing When unexpected weather is encountered pilots are encouraged to make a report to FSS or ATC

Module 2 – Aviation Weather Services 2.3 – Aviation Forecasts 107.73 Initial recurrent knowledge tests (b) A recurrent aeronautical knowledge test covers the following areas of knowledge; Applicable regulations relating to small unmanned aircraft system rating privileges, limitations, and flight operation Airspace classifications and operating requirements and flight restriction affecting small unmanned aircraft operation; Emergency procedures; Crew resource management; Aeronautical decision making and judgement; Airport operations; and Maintenance and preflight inspection procedures Printed Forecasts The following are the printed reports are printed reports remote pilots should be familiar with: Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAF) Aviation Area Forecasts (FA) Significant Meteorological Information (SIGMET) Airman’s Meteorological Information (AIRMET) Winds and Temperatures aloft forecasts (FB)

Module 2 – Aviation Weather Services 2.3 – Aviation Forecasts Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAF) Report established for the five statute mile radius around an airport Usually given for large airports Valid for 24-30 hours updated four times a day 0000Z, 0600Z, 1200Z, 1800Z Utilizes same descriptors and abbreviations as METARs TAF KDAB 081030Z 0812/0912 TEMPO 1112/1114 5SM BR FM1500 16015G25KT P6SM SCT040 BKN250 FM 120000 14012KT P6SM BKN080 OVC150 PROB30 1204/1204 3SM TSRA BKN030CB FM120400 1408KT P6SM SCT040 OVC080 TEMPO 1204/1208 3SM TSRA OVC030CB

Module 2 – Aviation Weather Services 2.3 – Aviation Forecasts TAF KDAB 081030Z 0812/0912 TEMPO 0812/0814 5SM BR FM1500 16015G25KT P6SM SCT040 BKN250 FM 120000 14012KT P6SM BKN080 OVC150 PROB30 0904/0904 3SM TSRA BKN030CB FM090400 1408KT P6SM SCT040 OVC080 TEMPO 0904/0908 3SM TSRA OVC030CB TAF – type of report routine forecast (TAF) or amended (TAF AMD) KDAD – ICAO station identifier same as METAR 081030Z – date and time first two are date last four are time in Zulu time 0812/0912 – Valid Period First two numbers are the day of the month for the start of the TAF Second two numbers are the hour it begins The second set of numbers First two numbers are the day it ends Second two numbers are the hour it ends

Module 2 – Aviation Weather Services 2.3 – Aviation Forecasts TAF KDAB 081030Z 0812/0912 TEMPO 0812/0814 5SM BR FM1500 16015G25KT P6SM SCT040 BKN250 FM 120000 14012KT P6SM BKN080 OVC150 PROB30 0904/0904 3SM TSRA BKN030CB FM090400 1408KT P6SM SCT040 OVC080 TEMPO 0904/0908 3SM TSRA OVC030CB Temporary from 8th day 1200Z to 8th day 1400Z 5 statute miles visibility with mist From 1500 winds from 160° at 15 knots gusting to 25 knots visibility greater than 6 statute miles scattered clouds at 4000ft broken clouds at 25000ft From 9th day 0000Z winds from 140° at 12 knots visibility greater than 6 statute miles broken clouds at 4000ft overcast at 8000ft, 30% probability on the 9th at 0400Z 3 statute miles of visibility with thunderstorms and rain broken clouds at 3000 with cumulonimbus clouds From 9th day 0400Z winds from 140° at 8 knots visibility greater than 6 statute miles scattered clouds at 4000ft overcast at 8000ft Temporary from 9th day 0400Z to 0800Z visibility 3 statute mile with thunderstorms and rain overcast clouds at 3000ft with cumulonimbus

Module 2 – Aviation Weather Services 2.3 – Aviation Forecasts Area Forecasts (FA) DFWC FA 120945 SYNOPSIS AND VFR CLDS/WX SYNOPSIS VALID UNTIL 130400 CLDS/WX VALID UNTIL 122200…OTLK VALID 122200-130400 OK TX AR LA MS AL AND SCTL WTRS Disseminated in four sections Header Gives location identifier of the source of the FA, the date and time issuance, the valid forecast time, and the area of coverage. Comes from Dallas Fort Worth Covers the states of Ok, Tx, Ar, La, Ms, Al, and some coastal gulf waters Issued on 12th day at 0945Z

Module 2 – Aviation Weather Services 2.3 – Aviation Forecasts Area Forecasts (FA) SEE AIRMET SIERRA FOR IFR CONDS AND MTN OBSCN TS IMPLY SEV OR GTR TURB SEV ICE LLSW AND IFR CONDS. NON MSL HGTS DENOTED BY AGL OR CIG Precautionary statements IFR conditions, mountain obscurations, and thunderstorm hazards Statements with height would be given in MSL unless AGL or Ceiling are stated

Module 2 – Aviation Weather Services 2.3 – Aviation Forecasts Area Forecasts (FA) SYNOPSIS…LOW PRES TROF 10Z OK/TX PNHDL AREA FCST MOVE EWD INTO CNTRL-SWRN OK BY 04Z. WRMFNT 10Z CNTRL OK-SRN AR-NRN MS FCST LIFT NWD INTO NERN OR-NRN AR EXTRMNRN MS BY O4Z. Synopsis Gives a brief summary identifying the location and movement of pressure systems, fronts, and circulation patterns

Module 2 – Aviation Weather Services 2.3 – Aviation Forecasts Area Forecasts (FA) S CNTRL AND SERN TX AGL SCT-BKN010. TOPS 030. VIS 2-5SM BR. 14-16Z BECMG AGL SCT030. 19Z AGL SCT050. OTLK…VFR OK PNDLAND NW…AGLSCT030 SCT-BKN100. TOPS FL200 15Z AGL SCT040 SCT100. AFT 20Z SCT TSRA DVLPG…FEW POSS SEV. CB TOPS FL 450. VFR Clouds and Weather Expected sky conditions, visibility and weather for the next 12 hours and an outlook for the following 6 hours

Module 2 – Aviation Weather Services 2.3 – Aviation Forecasts Inflight Weather Advisories Issued as either AIRMET, SIGMET, or convective SIGMET AIRMET Issued every 6 hours with intermediate updates issued as needed for a particular area forecast region Weather section concerns phenomena considered potentially hazardous to light aircraft with limited operational capabilities Has a fixed alphanumeric designator, numbered sequentially for easy identification, beginning with the first issuance of the day Sierra – AIRMET code to denote IFR and mountain obscuration Tango – used to denote turbulence, strong surface winds, and low-level wind shear Zulu – used to denote icing and freezing levels BOSS WA 211945 AIRMET SIERRA UPDT 3 FOR IFR AND MTN OBSCN VALID UNTIL 220200 AIRMET IFT…ME NH VT MA CT RI NY NJ AND SCTL WTRS FROM CA TO YSJ TO 150e ACK TO EWR TO YOW TO CAR OCNL GIG BLW 010.VIS BLW 3SM PCPN/BR. CONDS CONT BYD 02Z THRU 08Z AIRMET MTN OBSCN…ME HG VT MA NY PA FORM CAR TO MLT TO CON TO SLT TO SYR TO CAR MTNS OCNLY OBSCD BY CLDS/PCPN/BR. CONDS CONT BYD 02Z THRU 08Z

Module 2 – Aviation Weather Services 2.3 – Aviation Forecasts SIGMET Inflight advisories concerning non-convective weather that is potentially hazardous to all aircraft Include sever icing, sever or extreme turbulence, clear air turbulence, dust storms, sandstorms, and volcanic ash Unscheduled forecast good for 4 hours If used for hurricanes it is good for 6 hours Issued using an alphabetic identifier from November through Yankee First one issued is an Urgent Weather SIGMET Reissued ones for the same event are sequentially numbered SFOR WS 100130 SIGMET ROMEO2 VALID UNTIL L100530 OR WA FROM SEA TO PDT TO EUG TO SEA OCNL SEV CAT BTN FL280 AND FL350 EXPCD DUE TO JTSTR CONDS BGNG AFT 0200Z CONTG BYD 0530Z

Module 2 – Aviation Weather Services 2.3 – Aviation Forecasts MKCC WST 221855 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 20C VALID UNTILL 2055Z ND SD FROM 90W MOT-GFK-ABR-90W MOT INTSFYG AREA SEV TS MOVG FROM 24045KT. TOPS ABV FL450. WIND GUSTS TO 60KTS RPRTD. TORNADOES…HAIL TO 2 IN…WIND GUSTS TO 65 KTS POSS ND PTN Convective Significant Meteoroidal Information Issued for severe thunderstorms with surface winds greater than 50 knots Hail at surface greater than 3/4” in diameter Tornados Thunderstorms with heavy or greater precipitation that covers more then 40% or more of a 3000 square mile region Issued for the Eastern (E), Western (W), and Central (C) USA Issued 55 past the hour, special SIGMET can be issued at any time Numbered sequentially from 1-99 beginning at 0000Z Even if no hazardous weather exists one is still issued as “NONE”

Module 2 – Aviation Weather Services 2.3 – Aviation Forecasts Weather Charts Graphic charts that depict current or forecast weather Should be used in beginning stages of flight planning Typically show movement of major weather systems and fronts Surface analysis, weather depiction, and significant weather prognostic charts are sources of current weather information Surface Analysis Chart Depicts an analysis of the current surface weather Transmitted every 3 hours showing the lower 48 and surrounding areas Shows Areas of high and low pressure Fronts Temps Dew point Wind directions and speed Local weather Visual obstructions

Module 2 – Aviation Weather Services 2.3 – Aviation Forecasts Surface Analysis Chart Each reporting point is illustrated as a station model Station models include: Sky cover – clear, scattered, broken overcast, or obscured / partially obscured Sea-level pressure – 3 digit number to the nearest tenth of a millibar (mb), if more then 1000 millibar prefix with 10, less than 1000 prefix with 9 Pressure change/tendency – in tenth of a millibar over the last 3 hours, directly below the sea-level pressure Dew point – in degrees Fahrenheit Present weather – over 100 different symbols can be used to describe current weather Temperature –in degrees Fahrenheit Wind – true direction given by wind pointer line, indicating the direction wind is coming from, short barb 5 knots, long barb 10 knots, pennant 50 knots Weather Depiction Chart Details surface conditions as derived from METAR and other surface observations. Prepared and transmitted every 3 hours beginning at 0100Z Designed to be used for flight planning Provides graphic display of IFR, VFR and marginal VFR Modified station model – provides sky condition, cover, ceiling height, weather, obstruction to visibility