2.3a aviation weather reports

Aviation Weather Services

* Responsibility of NAVCANADA in Canada
* Responsibility of National Weather Service in the USA
* Private weather services:
* WSI International
* Jeppesen
* Universal Weather

NAVCANADA Information Delivery

* Website: navcanada.ca
* FICs:
* 1-866-992-7433 Canada-wide
* In-flight - Remote Communication Outlets (RCOs)

Flight Information Centres

* Multiple facilities located across Canada
* Functions like a call centre
* Provide live weather briefings via telephone and VHF radio
* Open/close VFR/IFR flight plans
* Flight Information Service Enroute (FISE)

Flight Information Services Enroute

* FICs are responsible for FISE in designated areas
* Info available in the CFS - Pt C Planning Section

RCO Location

* **Frequency:**
* 2 way comm
* **FIC Name**
* “bcst” = 1 way Comm
* Will usually be 126.7

Why 126.7?

* Until 2010, all FICs operated on 126.7
* Became very congested, so new frequencies were introduced
* 126.7 is the “default” frequency for you to use when not tuned to an ATC or ATF frequency

St. Catharines FCO

* London FCO has an RCO at the St. Catharine’s airport
* 2-way communication is possible
* Doesn’t say “bcst”

Correct call sign for London FIC?

* Answer: “London Radio”

NAVCANADA - Information Delivery

* Aviation Weather info is also available via sat download
* Many panel mounted and portable GPS systems have the capability
* Requires a subscription to be delivered via XM satellite radio

Aviation Weather Information Categories

* Forecasts: Future weather
* Weather Reports: Actual observed weather

Available Weather Products

1. METAR
2. TAF
3. GFA
4. SIGMET/AIRMET
5. FD

Runway Visual Range (RVR) in a METAR

* Included when available
* Only included when visibility is especially poor
* RVR values are expressed in feet
* R23/2800V5500FT/D
* R23 RVR 2800 variable to 5500 feet with a downward trend

TAF - Aerodrome Forecast

* May be valid for up to 30 hours
* Never valid when the weather observing station **is closed**
* May be based on AUTO observations but will be noted in REMARKS
* Requires at least 2 observations (METARs) before it can be issued

GFA - Graphic Area Forecast

* New forecasts issued at:
* 00Z
* 06Z
* 12Z
* 18Z

PIREPs (UA) - Pilot Reports

* Pilot observations are reports to the FIC
* PIREPs become available once they are reported (short time delay)
* Sometimes the only weather info available in certain area or about certain weather conditions (cloud tops or icing reports)
* Standard format attempted but much is “Free Format”