AIM

8/15/19

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Meteorology

users. FIG 7

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1 provides conversion tables for the

most used weather elements that will be encountered
by pilots.

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2. FAA Weather Services

a.

The FAA provides the Flight Service program,

which serves the weather needs of pilots through its
flight service stations (FSS) (both government and
contract via 1-800-WX-BRIEF) and via the Internet,
through Leidos Flight Service.

b.

The FAA maintains an extensive surface

weather observing program. Airport observations
(METAR and SPECI) in the U.S. are provided by
automated observing systems. Various levels of
human oversight of the METAR and SPECI reports
and augmentation may be provided at select larger
airports by either government or contract personnel
qualified to report specified weather elements that
cannot be detected by the automated observing
system.

c. Other Sources of Weather Information

1.

In Alaska, Telephone Information Briefing

Service (TIBS) (FSS); Transcribed Weather Broad-
cast (TWEB) locations, and telephone access to the
TWEB (TEL

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TWEB) provide continuously updated

recorded weather information for short or local
flights. Separate paragraphs in this section give
additional information regarding these services.

REFERENCE

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AIM, Paragraph 7

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8 , Telephone Information Briefing Service (TIBS)

(Alaska only)
AIM, Paragraph 7

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9 , Transcribed Weather Broadcast (TWEB)

(Alaska Only)

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.

Pilots can access Leidos Flight Services via

the Internet. Pilots can receive preflight weather data
and file domestic VFR and IFR flight plans. The
following is the FAA contract vendor:

Leidos Flight Service

Internet Access: http://www.1800wxbrief.com
For customer service: 1

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800

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WXBRIEF

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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

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 or operator

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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, Leidos
Flight Service, and/or Flight Information Services

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Broadcast (FIS

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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.