AIM
4/3/14
7−1−5
Meteorology
and produce forecasts. The FAA and NWS
disseminate meteorological observations, analyses,
and forecasts through a variety of systems. In
addition, the Federal Government is the only
approval authority for sources of weather observa-
tions; for example, contract towers and airport
operators may be approved by the Feder
al
Government to provide weather observations.
2.
Enhanced Weather Information System
(EWINS). An EWINS is an FAA authorized,
proprietary system for tracking, evaluating, report-
ing, and forecasting the presence or lack of adverse
weather phenomena. The FAA authorizes a certific-
ate holder to use an EWINS to produce flight
movement forecasts, adverse weather phenomena
forecasts, and other meteorological advisories. For
more detailed information regarding EWINS, see the
Aviation Weather Services Advisory Circular 00−45
and the Flight Standards Information Management
System 8900.1.
3. Commercial Weather Information
Providers.
In general, commercial providers
produce proprietary weather products based on
NWS/FAA products with formatting and layout
modifications but no material changes to the weather
information itself. This is also referred to as
“repackaging.” In addition, commercial providers
may produce analyses, forecasts, and other
proprietary weather products that substantially alter
the information contained in government−produced
products. However, those proprietary weather
products that substantially alter government−
produced weather products or information, may only
be approved for use by 14 CFR Part 121 and Part 135
certificate holders if the commercial provider is
EWINS qualified.
NOTE
−
Commercial weather information providers contracted by
FAA to provide weather observations, analyses, and
forecasts (e.g., contract towers) are included in the Federal
Government category of approved sources by virtue of
maintaining required technical and quality assurance
standards under Federal Government oversight.
l.
As a point of clarification, Advisory
Circular 00−62, Internet Communications of
Aviation Weather and NOTAMS, describes the
process for a weather information provider to become
a Qualified Internet Communications Provider
(QICP) and only applies to 14 CFR Part 121 and
Part 135 certificate holders. Therefore, pilots
conducting operations under 14 CFR Part 91 may
access weather products via the public Internet.
7
−
1
−
4. Preflight Briefing
a.
Flight Service Stations (FSSs) are the primary
source for obtaining preflight briefings and inflight
weather information. Flight Service Specialists are
qualified and certificated by the NWS as Pilot
Weather Briefers. They are not authorized to make
original forecasts, but are authorized to translate and
interpret available forecasts and reports directly into
terms describing the weather conditions which you
can expect along your flight route and at your
destination. Available aviation weather reports,
forecasts and aviation weather charts are displayed at
each FSS, for pilot use. Pilots should feel free to use
these self briefing displays where available, or to ask
for a briefing or assistance from the specialist on duty.
Three basic types of preflight briefings are available
to serve your specific needs. These are: Standard
Briefing, Abbreviated Briefing, and Outlook Brief-
ing. You should specify to the briefer the type of
briefing you want, along with your appropriate
background information. This will enable the briefer
to tailor the information to your intended flight. The
following paragraphs describe the types of briefings
available and the information provided in each
briefing.
REFERENCE
−
AIM, Preflight Preparation, Paragraph 5
−1−1, for items that are
required.
b. Standard Briefing.
You should request a
Standard Briefing any time you are planning a flight
and you have not received a previous briefing or have
not received preliminary information through mass
dissemination media; e.g., TIBS, TWEB (Alaska
only), etc. International data may be inaccurate or
incomplete. If you are planning a flight outside of
U.S. controlled airspace, the briefer will advise you
to check data as soon as practical after entering
foreign airspace, unless you advise that you have the
international cautionary advisory. The briefer will
automatically provide the following information in
the sequence listed, except as noted, when it is
applicable to your proposed flight.
1. Adverse Conditions.
Significant meteoro-
logical and/or aeronautical information that might
influence the pilot to alter or cancel the proposed
flight; for example, hazardous weather conditions,