Private Pilot Ground School - Meteorology

A set of vocabulary flashcards for key terms from the Private Pilot Ground School meteorology course.

METAR

A coded aviation routine weather report that provides observations of current weather conditions.

TAF

Terminal Area Forecast; an aerodrome forecast giving expected weather conditions within a 5NM radius of the aerodrome.

SIGMET

Significant In-Flight Weather Warning Messages issued to advise pilots of serious weather conditions that may affect the safety of aircraft operations.

AIRMET

Aircrew Meteorological Advisory; a message issued to advise pilots of weather that may affect safety which isn’t covered in forecasts.

AWOS

Automated Weather Observation System that can provide routine weather reports and observations.

CAVOK

Ceiling and Visibility OK; indicates good weather conditions with no significant meteorological phenomena.

PIREP

Pilot Report; a report made by pilots providing information about actual weather conditions encountered during flight.

Pressure Systems

Areas of high or low atmospheric pressure that can significantly influence weather patterns.

Wind Shear

A sudden change in wind speed or direction over a short distance, which can be hazardous for aircraft during takeoff and landing.

Weather Map

A graphical representation of meteorological conditions at a specific time, showing features like temperature, wind, and precipitation.

FZLVL

Freezing Level; the altitude at which moisture in the atmosphere freezes.

Aviation Weather Briefing Services (AWBS)

Services provided by NAV CANADA to assist pilots during pre-flight planning with weather information.

Cloud Mixture Codes

Codes that describe types of clouds and their coverage in weather reports.

Temperature and Dew Point

Measured in degrees Celsius with negative values indicated by 'M', e.g., M05 for -5°C.

Recent Weather Codes

Codes used to describe significant recent weather changes indicated in reports.