AIM
4/3/14
7−1−7
Meteorology
NOTE
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1. For the purpose of this paragraph, SUA and related
airspace includes the following types of airspace: alert
area, military operations area (MOA), warning area, and
air traffic control assigned airspace (ATCAA). MTR data
includes the following types of airspace: IFR training
routes (IR), VFR training routes (VR), and slow training
routes (SR).
2. Pilots are encouraged to request updated information
from ATC facilities while in flight.
(b)
A review of the Notices to Airmen
Publication for pertinent NOTAMs and Special
Notices.
(c)
Approximate density altitude data.
(d)
Information regarding such items as air
traffic services and rules, customs/immigration
procedures, ADIZ rules, search and rescue, etc.
(e)
GPS RAIM availability for 1 hour before
to 1 hour after ETA or a time specified by the pilot.
(f)
Other assistance as required.
c. Abbreviated Briefing.
Request an Abbrevia-
ted Briefing when you need information to
supplement mass disseminated data, update a
previous briefing, or when you need only one or two
specific items. Provide the briefer with appropriate
background information, the time you received the
previous information, and/or the specific items
needed. You should indicate the source of the
information already received so that the briefer can
limit the briefing to the information that you have not
received, and/or appreciable changes in meteorologi-
cal/aeronautical conditions since your previous
briefing. To the extent possible, the briefer will
provide the information in the sequence shown for a
Standard Briefing. If you request only one or two
specific items, the briefer will advise you if adverse
conditions are present or forecast. (Adverse condi-
tions contain both meteorological and/or aeronautical
information.) Details on these conditions will be
provided at your request. 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.
d. Outlook Briefing.
You should request an
Outlook Briefing whenever your proposed time of
departure is six or more hours from the time of the
briefing. The briefer will provide available forecast
data applicable to the proposed flight. This type of
briefing is provided for planning purposes only. You
should obtain a Standard or Abbreviated Briefing
prior to departure in order to obtain such items as
adverse conditions, current conditions, updated
forecasts, winds aloft and NOTAMs, etc.
e.
When filing a flight plan only, you will be asked
if you require the latest information on adverse
conditions pertinent to the route of flight.
f. Inflight Briefing.
You are encouraged to
obtain your preflight briefing by telephone or in
person before departure. In those cases where you
need to obtain a preflight briefing or an update to a
previous briefing by radio, you should contact the
nearest FSS to obtain this information. After
communications have been established, advise the
specialist of the type briefing you require and provide
appropriate background information. You will be
provided information as specified in the above
paragraphs, depending on the type of briefing
requested. In addition, the specialist will recommend
shifting to the Flight Watch frequency when
conditions along the intended route indicate that it
would be advantageous to do so. Remember that
weather conditions can change rapidly and that a “go
or no go” decision, as mentioned in paragraph
7−1−4b2, should be assessed at all phases of flight.
g.
Following any briefing, feel free to ask for any
information that you or the briefer may have missed
or are not understood. This way, the briefer is able to
present the information in a logical sequence, and
lessens the chance of important items being
overlooked.
7
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1
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5. En Route Flight Advisory Service
(EFAS)
a.
EFAS (radio call “Flight Watch”) is a service
specifically designed to provide en route aircraft with
timely and meaningful weather advisories pertinent
to the type of flight intended, route of flight, and
altitude. In conjunction with this service, EFAS is
also a central collection and distribution point for
pilot reported weather information. EFAS is provided
by specially trained FSS specialists controlling
multiple Remote Communications Outlets covering
a large geographical area and is normally available
throughout the conterminous U.S. and Puerto Rico
from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. EFAS provides communica-