Aviation Weather Overview

This article is intended to help the reader understand some intricacies of aviation weather, which is crucial for drone pilots and traditional aviators alike. Weather can significantly impact flight safety and operational planning, so understanding how to interpret weather data is essential. It is also an important part of the FAA Part 107 sUAS Certification exam. Read on to learn more about aviation weather and how it can affect your drone operations!

What is Aviation Weather?

Aviation weather refers to the atmospheric conditions that can affect flight operations, including temperature, wind speed and direction, visibility, precipitation, and cloud cover. Understanding these factors is crucial for pilots to ensure safe and efficient flight operations.

Why is Aviation Weather Important for Drone Pilots?

For drone pilots, understanding aviation weather is essential for several reasons:

• Safety: Adverse weather conditions can pose significant risks to drone operations, including loss of control, reduced visibility, and increased likelihood of accidents.
• Regulatory Compliance: The FAA requires drone pilots to be aware of weather conditions before conducting flights, especially in controlled airspace or during specific operations.
• Operational Planning: Knowledge of weather conditions helps drone pilots plan their flights more effectively, including choosing the best time to fly and determining the appropriate altitude and route.

Key Weather Reports Covered on the Part 107 Exam

METARs

METARs are routine weather reports that provide current weather conditions at airports. They include information on temperature, wind speed and direction, visibility, cloud cover, and significant weather phenomena. METARs are typically issued every hour and are essential for pilots to assess current weather conditions at their departure and destination airports.

Example METAR and How to Interpret It

METAR KPHL 101651Z 18015G25KT 10SM FEW020 SCT250 BKN300 30/22 A2992 RMK AO2 SLP134 T03000217

• KPHL: Station identifier (Philadelphia International Airport)
• 101651Z: Date and time of the report (10th day of the month at 16:51 UTC)
• 18015G25KT: Wind direction and speed (from 180 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 25 knots)
• 10SM: Visibility (10 statute miles)
• FEW020 SCT250 BKN300: Cloud cover (few clouds at 2000 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet, broken clouds at 30,000 feet)
• 30/22: Temperature and dew point (30°C temperature, 22°C dew point)
• A2992: Altimeter setting (29.92 inches of mercury)
• RMK AO2 SLP134 T03000217: Remarks (automated observation with precipitation sensor, sea-level pressure 1013.4 hPa, temperature 30.0°C, dew point 21.7°C)

TAFs

TAFs (Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts) are weather forecasts for specific airports, providing expected weather conditions over a 24 to 30-hour period. TAFs include information on expected wind speed and direction, visibility, cloud cover, and significant weather events. They are crucial for flight planning and help pilots anticipate weather changes that may affect their operations.

Example TAF and How to Interpret It

TAF KPHL 101130Z 1012/1118 18015G25KT P6SM FEW020 SCT250 BKN300

• KPHL: Station identifier (Philadelphia International Airport)
• 101130Z: Date and time of the forecast (10th day of the month at 11:30 UTC)
• 1012/1118: Forecast period (from 10th day at 12:00 UTC to 11th day at 18:00 UTC)
• 18015G25KT: Expected wind direction and speed (from 180 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 25 knots)
• P6SM: Visibility (greater than 6 statute miles)
• FEW020 SCT250 BKN300: Expected cloud cover (few clouds at 2000 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet, broken clouds at 30,000 feet)

PIREPs

PIREPs (Pilot Reports) are reports submitted by pilots regarding actual weather conditions encountered during flight. They provide real-time information on weather phenomena such as turbulence, icing, and visibility. PIREPs are valuable for other pilots and air traffic controllers to understand current weather conditions in the airspace.

Example PIREP and How to Interpret It

PIREPS KPHL 101200Z 18015G25KT 10SM FEW020 SCT250 BKN300

• KPHL: Station identifier (Philadelphia International Airport)
• 101200Z: Date and time of the report (10th day of the month at 12:00 UTC)
• 18015G25KT: Wind direction and speed (from 180 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 25 knots)
• 10SM: Visibility (10 statute miles)
• FEW020 SCT250 BKN300: Cloud cover (few clouds at 2000 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet, broken clouds at 30,000 feet)