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Photo credit Aviationweather.govWe have recently explored the differences between ATIS, ASOS, and various AWOS. These are all different local weather reporting systems that provide pilots valuable information. It has happened more than once that the AWOS at my local airport is reporting IFR but the conditions outside are clear. How? Well, it all depends on where the reporting weather system radar is located. There may be fog located directly over the radar but clear around it. Same thing with Doppler radar and other weather reporting systems. What's the most accurate form of weather report? PIREPS!Related GlobalAir.com Feature:Look up updated PIREP (pilot-reported aviation weather) in the Airport Resource CenterRELATED STORY:The difference between weather systems - ATIS, ASOS, AWOS and beyond
A PIREP is called a Pilot Report because it is directly reported from the pilot in the weather conditions. Let's take a look at the format a PIREP uses and how to decode the message.
If you've never seen this document, I'd highly suggest you download it and keep a copy. This is the format in which you will receive and give PIREPS.
Next, to understand what information you were given, we have to understand the symbols to decode.
UA - Routine or UUA - Urgent
OV - location of the PIREP, using a 3-letter NAVAID identifier (/OV FZI - over Fostoria Airport) TM - Time the PIREP reported by the pilot FL - Flight Level or altitude during the report in hundreds of feet TP - Type aircraft, using a 4-digit identifier (C152, PA28, B787, A319, UNKN = Unknown) 1 through 5 is mandatory for PIREP reports. Other additional information a pilot can include would be:
SK - Cloud cover: are in MSL (measured sea level) WX - Weather or flight visibilityTA - Air temperature in CelsiusWV - Wind direction and velocityTB - TurbulenceIC - Icing - /IC LGT RIME (icing light rime ice) RM - Remarks That's how you decode a PIREP. Now let's practice a couple of examples.
Photo credit Aviationweather.govThis PIREP reads:UA—routine / OV Located over ABR (Aberdeen Regional) / TM time 1159 UTC / FL flight level 060 6000ft MSL. / TP type aircraft CRJ2 CRJ 200 / SK Sky CleanPhoto credit Aviationweather.govUA—routine / OV Located over AUG VOR 190 radial 45 NM / TM time 1115 UTC / FL flight level 6000ft MSL. / TP type aircraft C402 Cessna 402 / WX FU smoke / RM remarks smoke layer from 5500ft—7500ft MSL multiple aircraftThere are a few different ways to report a PIREP. You can call 1-800-wx-brief (flight data center weather briefer), you can report it in the air to ATC and you can report it on equip FMS systems. By taking the time to report the current weather in your area, you are helping the next pilot before they go flying or maybe even deviate from a bad situation.