AIM
4/3/14
7−1−3
Meteorology
c. Other Sources of Weather Information
1.
Telephone Information Briefing Service
(TIBS) (FSS); and in Alaska, Transcribed Weather
Broadcast (TWEB) locations, and telephone access
to the TWEB (TEL−TWEB) provide continuously
updated recorded weather information for short or
local flights. Separate paragraphs in this section give
additional information regarding these services.
REFERENCE
−
AIM, Telephone Information Briefing Service (TIBS), Paragraph 7
−1−8.
AIM, Transcribed Weather Broadcast (TWEB) (Alaska Only),
Paragraph 7
−1−9.
2.
Weather and aeronautical information are
also available from numerous private industry
sources on an individual or contract pay basis.
Information on how to obtain this service should be
available from local pilot organizations.
3.
The Direct User Access Terminal Sys-
tem (DUATS) can be accessed by pilots with a
current medical certificate toll-free in the 48 contigu-
ous States via personal computer. Pilots can receive
alpha-numeric preflight weather data and file
domestic VFR and IFR flight plans. The following
are the contract DUATS vendors:
Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC)
15000 Conference Center Drive
Chantilly, VA 22021−3808
Internet Access: http://www.duats.com
Telnet Access (modem terminal−style):
(800) 767−9989 or
telnet://direct.duats.com
For customer service: (800) 345−3828
Data Transformation Corporation (DTC)
108−D Greentree Road
Turnersville, NJ 08012
Internet Access: http://www.duat.com
For customer service: (800)243−3828
d.
Inflight weather information is available from
any FSS within radio range. The common frequency
for all FSSs is 122.2. Discrete frequencies for
individual stations are listed in the A/FD.
1.
Information on In-Flight Weather broadcasts.
REFERENCE
−
AIM, Inflight Weather Broadcasts, Paragraph 7
2.
En Route Flight Advisory Service (EFAS) is
provided to serve the nonroutine weather needs of
pilots in flight.
REFERENCE
−
AIM, En Route Flight Advisory Service (EFAS), Paragraph 7
−1−5, gives
details on this service.
7
−
1
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3. Use of Aviation Weather Products
a.
Air carriers and operators certificated under the
provisions of 14 CFR Part 119 are required to use the
aeronautical weather information systems defined in
the Operations Specifications issued to that certifi-
cate holder by the FAA. These systems may utilize
basic FAA/National Weather Service (NWS) weather
services, contractor− or operator−proprietary weath-
er services and/or Enhanced Weather Information
System (EWINS) when approved in the Operations
Specifications. As an integral part of this system
approval, the procedures for collecting, producing
and disseminating aeronautical weather information,
as well as the crew member and dispatcher training to
support the use of system weather products, must be
accepted or approved.
b.
Operators not certificated under the provisions
of 14 CFR Part 119 are encouraged to use FAA/NWS
products through Flight Service Stations, Direct User
Access Terminal System (DUATS), and/or Flight
Information Services−Broadcast (FIS−B).
c.
The suite of available aviation weather product
types is expanding, with the development of new
sensor systems, algorithms and forecast models. The
FAA and NWS, supported by various weather
research laboratories and corporations under contract
to the Government, develop and implement new
aviation weather product types. The FAA’s NextGen
Aviation Weather Research Program (AWRP)
facilitates collaboration between the NWS, the FAA,
and various industry and research representatives.
This collaboration ensures that user needs and
technical readiness requirements are met before
experimental products mature to operational applica-
tion.
d.
The AWRP manages the transfer of aviation
weather R&D to operational use through technical
review panels and conducting safety assessments to
ensure that newly developed aviation weather
products meet regulatory requirements and enhance
safety.
e.
The AWRP review and decision−making
process applies criteria to weather products at various
stages . The stages are composed of the following:
1.
Sponsorship of user needs.