AIM

4/3/14

4−5−19

Surveillance Systems

1.

Airmen’s Meteorological Conditions

(AIRMET) − Text/graphical report − A concise

description of expected occurrence of specified

en route weather phenomena.

REFERENCE

−

Advisory Circular AC

−00−45, “Aviation Weather Services.”

2.

Convective Significant Meteorological

Conditions (SIGMET) − Text report/graphical

−Convective SIGMETs (also known internationally

as SIGMET for Convection) are issued for the

contiguous U.S. Each bulletin includes one or more

Convective SIGMETs for a specific region of the

CONUS. Convective SIGMETs issued for thunder-

storms and related phenomena do not include

references to all weather associated with thunder-

storms such as turbulence, icing, low−level wind

shear and IFR conditions.

REFERENCE

−

Advisory Circular AC

−00−45, “Aviation Weather Services.”

3.

Aviation Routine Weather Reports (METAR)

− Text reports − Surface meteorological data. The

body of the report includes airport identifier, time of

observation, wind, visibility, runway visual range,

present weather phenomena, sky conditions, temper-

ature, dew point, and altimeter setting. Remarks may

be appended to the end.

REFERENCE

−

Advisory Circular AC

−00−45, “Aviation Weather Services.”

4.

Special Aviation Reports (SPECI) − Text

reports − Non− routine, unscheduled report when any

of SPECI criteria have been met.Contains all data

elements found in METAR plus additional informa-

tion which elaborates on data.

REFERENCE

−

Reference Advisory Circular AC

−00−45, “Aviation Weather Services.”

5.

Next Generation Radar (NEXRAD)

(CONUS and Regional) − Derived from Next

Generation Weather Radar (WSR−88D). Radar

mosaic consists of multiple single site radar images

combined to produce a graphical image on a regional

or national scale. Regional and national radar

mosaics can be found at the National Weather Service

(NWS) Doppler Radar Images web site:

http://radar.weather.gov/ridge/.

REFERENCE

−

Advisory Circular AC

−00−45, “AviationWeather Services.”

6.

Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) Distant and

Flight Data Center (D/FDC) − Text/graphical reports

− includes Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) −

TFR text and graphic reports, prescribes procedures

used to obtain, format, and disseminate information

on unanticipated or temporary changes to compon-

ents of or hazards in the NAS until the associated

aeronautical charts and related publications have

been amended.

REFERENCE

−

FAA Order JO 7930.2, Notices to Airmen (NOTAM).

7.

Pilot Weather Reports (PIREP) − Text report

− Pilots report observations to assist other pilots with

flight planning and preparation, help NWS verify

forecast products, and create more accurate products

for aviation community.

REFERENCE

−

Advisory Circular AC

−00−45, “Aviation Weather Services.”

8.

Significant Meteorological Information

(SIGMET)  − Text/graphical report − Potentially

hazardous en route phenomena such as thunder-

storms and hail, turbulence, icing, sand and dust

storms, tropical cyclones, and volcanic ash in an area

affecting 3,000 square miles or an area deemed to

have a significant effect on safety of aircraft

operations.

REFERENCE

−

Advisory Circular AC

−00−45, “AviationWeather Services.”

9.

Special Use Airspace (SUA) Status −

Text/graphical report − Establishes/designates

airspace in the interest of National Defense, security

and/or welfare. Charted SUA identifies to other

airspace users where these activities occur. SUA is

airspace of defined dimensions wherein activities

must be confined because of their nature, or wherein

limitations may be imposed upon aircraft operations

that are not a part of those activities.

REFERENCE

−

FAA Order JO 7400.2G, Procedures for Handling Airspace Matters.

10.

Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) and

their amendments (AMEND) − Text report − Routine

forecast that gives a concise statement of expected

meteorological conditions for a specified time period

within five statute miles (SM) of the center of the

airport’s runway complex (terminal). TAFs are

amended whenever they become, in the forecaster’s

judgment, unrepresentative of existing or expected

conditions, particularly regarding those elements and

events significant to aircraft and airports. An

amended forecast is identified by TAF AMD (in place

of TAF) on the first line of the forecast text.

REFERENCE

−

Advisory Circular AC

−00−45, “Aviation Weather Services.”