AIM

8/15/19

7

−

1

−

7

Meteorology

FIG 7

−

1

−

3

Aviation Cloud Forecast

7

−

1

−

5. Preflight Briefing

a.

Flight Service Stations (FSS) are the primary

sources for obtaining preflight briefings and to file
flight plans by phone or the Internet. Flight Service
Specialists are qualified and certified as Pilot
Weather Briefers by the FAA. 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 can be expected along the flight route and at the
destination. Three basic types of preflight briefings
(Standard, Abbreviated, and Outlook) are available
to serve the pilot’s specific needs. Pilots should
specify to the briefer the type of briefing they want,
along with their appropriate background information.
This will enable the briefer to tailor the information
to the pilot’s intended flight. The following
paragraphs describe the types of briefings available
and the information provided in each briefing.

REFERENCE

−

AIM, Paragraph 5

−

1

−

1 , Preflight Preparation, 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; for example, in Alaska only,
TIBS and TWEB. 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,
airport closures, air traffic delays, etc. Pilots should
be especially alert for current or forecast weather
that could reduce flight minimums below VFR or
IFR conditions. Pilots should also be alert for any
reported or forecast icing if the aircraft is not certified
for operating in icing conditions. Flying into areas
of icing or weather below minimums could have
disastrous results.

2. VFR Flight Not Recommended.

When

VFR flight is proposed and sky conditions or
visibilities are present or forecast, surface or aloft,
that, in the briefer’s judgment, would make flight
under VFR doubtful, the briefer will describe the
conditions, describe the affected locations, and use
the phrase 

“VFR flight not recommended.”

 This