WEATHER SERVICES & REPORTS
What is the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration)?
This federal agency establishes all requirements for aviation weather reports and forecasts according to Title 49 U.S.C. § 44720.
What is severe icing?
This weather phenomenon, along with severe turbulence and volcanic ash, requires the issuance of a SIGMET.
What is AIRMET?
This acronym stands for Airmen's Meteorological Information.
What is Kansas City?
The Aviation Weather Center is located in this Missouri city.
What is FC?
If a funnel cloud is reported in a PIREP, it is coded with these two letters following the /WX group.
What are all available weather reports and forecasts?
According to 14 CFR § 91.103, each pilot in command must become familiar with this information before beginning a flight.
What is AC 00-24?
This advisory circular, now incorporated into the Aviation Weather Handbook, specifically addressed thunderstorms.
What is SIGMET?
This acronym stands for Significant Meteorological Information.
What is ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization)?
The AWC serves as a Meteorological Watch Office for this international aviation organization.
What is DUST/SAND WHIRL (DUST DEVIL)?
When a dust devil is reported in a PIREP, this full term is spelled out after the /RM group.
What is the Enhanced Weather Information System?
This system, abbreviated EWINS, provides enhanced weather information to pilots and operators.
What is Clear Air Turbulence (CAT)?
This type of turbulence occurs in clear skies and was the subject of AC 00-30 before being incorporated into the handbook.
What are small aircraft?
AIRMETs are issued for weather conditions that may be hazardous to aircraft in this size/weight category.
What is the NAS (National Airspace System)?
The AWC issues this suite of forecast products including AIRMETs, SIGMETs, and various icing and turbulence forecasts in support of this system.
What is December 2024?
The 2024 Aviation Weather Handbook was released in this month and supersedes the 2022 first edition.
What is six (6) advisory circulars?
The FAA Aviation Weather Handbook consolidates weather information from this many FAA weather-related advisory circulars into one publication.
What are hazardous mountain winds (or mountain wave turbulence)?
This hazardous mountain weather phenomenon was covered in AC 00-57 and can cause severe turbulence and downdrafts.
What is a Convective SIGMET?
This special type of SIGMET is issued specifically for convective weather activity.
What is WAFC Washington (World Area Forecast Center)?
The AWC serves as one of two of these ICAO centers, known by this designation that includes the nation's capital.
What is 544 pages?
This is the total number of pages in the comprehensive FAA-H-8083-28A Aviation Weather Handbook.
What are AC 00-06 (Aviation Weather), AC 00-24 (Thunderstorms), AC 00-30 (Clear Air Turbulence Avoidance), AC 00-45 (Aviation Weather Services), AC 00-54 (Pilot Windshear Guide), and AC 00-57 (Hazardous Mountain Winds)?
These six advisory circulars were canceled and replaced by the 2024 Aviation Weather Handbook.
What is windshear?
This sudden change in wind speed and direction, covered in AC 00-54, is particularly dangerous during takeoff and landing.
What is a tornado or waterspout?
If this weather phenomenon is reported in a PIREP, it is coded +FC following the /WX group, and the full term is spelled out after the /RM group.
What is the National Weather Service's Aviation Weather Center (NWS AWC)?
As of December 2024, the FAA noted that this organization's website underwent numerous and significant changes that may not be accurately reflected in the handbook.
What are beginners and advanced pilots?
The handbook documents weather theory and its application to aviation, serving as a critical resource for pilots at these two skill levels.