Preflight Weather Briefings

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Prior to every flight, pilots should obtain a briefing from a specialist at a Flight Service Station (<abbr title="Flight Service Station">FSS</abbr>), Automated Flight Service Station (<abbr title="Automated Flight Service Station">AFSS</abbr>), or the National Weather Service (NWS).

Currently, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (<abbr title="National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration">NOAA</abbr>) serves as the parent organization of the NWS, which provides the aviation industry in the U.S. with most of its raw weather information. Nearly all other weather providers repackage <abbr title="National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration">NOAA</abbr>'s weather information and remarket it in a more user-friendly and easier to understand format.

Flight Service Stations (<abbr title="Flight Service Station">FSS</abbr>) are the primary sources for obtaining preflight briefings and to file flight plans by phone or online. **Flight Service Specialists are qualified and certified as Pilot Weather Briefers by the <abbr title="Federal Aviation Administration">FAA</abbr>. They are only authorized to translate and interpret available forecasts and reports, not make original forecasts.**

When obtaining a weather briefing, pilots need to specify what type of briefing they want, appropriate background information about the flight and the aircraft's identification or the pilot's name. It may also be helpful to a briefer to know if the pilot is instrument-rated. This will enable the briefer to tailor the information to the pilot's intended route of flight and provide the most relevant information.

**There are three (3) types of weather briefings:**
1. Standard Briefing
2. Abbreviated Briefing
3. Outlook Briefing

Types of Weather Briefings

Pilots should request a standard briefing when planning a flight and no previous briefing or preliminary information through mass disseminated data (such as information obtained from a Transcribed Weather Broadcast (TWEB)) has been received.

**When requesting a standard briefing, provide the briefer with appropriate information relating to the flight such as whether the flight will be conducted under Visual Flight Rules (<abbr title="Visual Flight Rules">VFR</abbr>) or Instrument Flight Rules (<abbr title="Instrument Flight Rules">IFR</abbr>), aircraft identification and types, departure airport, estimated time of departure (<abbr title="Estimated Time of Departure">ETD</abbr>), proposed flight altitude(s), route of flight, destination, and estimated time en route (<abbr title="Estimated Time En Route">ETE</abbr>).**

For international flights, it is highly advised to check data as soon as practical after entering foreign airspace, as the information obtained beforehand may be inaccurate or incomplete.

The briefer will automatically provide the following information in the sequence listed below, except as noted when it is applicable to your proposed flight:

- **Adverse Conditions.** Significant weather or aeronautical information that might influence the pilot to alter or cancel the proposed flight. This can include hazardous weather conditions like thunderstorms, turbulence, low ceilings or visibility, and icing. Pilots should be cautious of any weather that may reduce flight minimums below <abbr title="Visual Flight Rules">VFR</abbr> or <abbr title="Instrument Flight Rules">IFR</abbr> conditions and forecast icing, especially if the aircraft is not certified for operating in icing conditions. _Flying into areas of icing or weather below minimums could result in loss of control of the aircraft, disorientation, and/or death._

- **<abbr title="Visual Flight Rules">VFR</abbr> Flight Not Recommended.** If <abbr title="Visual Flight Rules">VFR</abbr> flight is proposed and sky conditions or visibilities are present or forecast (both surface or aloft) and the briefer's judgment allows him/her to conclude that <abbr title="Visual Flight Rules">VFR</abbr> is highly unlikely in these conditions, a "<abbr title="Visual Flight Rules">VFR</abbr> Flight Not Recommended" advisory is given. It is important to note that the final decision on whether a flight can be conducted safely rests solely with the pilot in command. The pilot should assess his/her experience and ratings along with the aircraft's available equipment, capabilities, and limitations to make a proper decision, commonly referred to as the "go or no go" decision.

- **Synopsis.** A brief statement describing the type, location, and movement of weather systems and/or air masses that might affect the proposed flight.

- **Current Conditions.** A summary of reported weather conditions from all available sources such as <abbr title="Aviation Routine Weather Report">METAR</abbr>s, <abbr title="Pilot Report">PIREP</abbr>s, and RAREPs. If the proposed departure time is more than two hours, this element may be omitted as the conditions may differ. However, the pilot may still request to have this information provided.

- **En Route Forecast.** A summary of en route conditions expected during the proposed route of flight. The sequence of the forecast usually involves a typical flight: starting from departure, climb out, en route, and descent.

- **Destination Forecast.** The destination forecast (<abbr title="Terminal Aerodrome Forecast">TAF</abbr>), including any significant changes within 1 hour before and after the planned estimated time of arrival (<abbr title="Estimated Time of Arrival">ETA</abbr>).

- **Winds Aloft.** Forecast winds aloft for the proposed route will be provided using degrees of the compass. For wind directions and speeds between levels and stations, the briefer will interpolate (estimate the value using available data) the expected conditions at planned altitudes.

- **Notices to Airmen (<abbr title="Notice to Airmen">NOTAM</abbr>s).** Available <abbr title="Notice to Airmen">NOTAM</abbr> (D) information pertinent to the proposed flight, include special use airspace (<abbr title="Special Use Airspace">SUA</abbr>) <abbr title="Notice to Airmen">NOTAM</abbr>s for restricted areas, aerial refueling, and night vision goggles (NVG). If in the Washington, DC. area some prohibited areas such as P-40, P-49, P-56, and special flight rules area (SFRA) are provided. <abbr title="Flight Service Station">FSS</abbr> briefers do not provide FDC <abbr title="Notice to Airmen">NOTAM</abbr> information for special instrument approach procedures unless requested by the pilot.

- **Air Traffic Control (<abbr title="Air Traffic Controller">ATC</abbr>) Delays.** Any known <abbr title="Air Traffic Controller">ATC</abbr> delays and flow control advisories that might affect the proposed flight.


_Additional Data A Pilot May Request_

Pilots may obtain the following from flight service station briefers upon request:
- Approximate density altitude data
- Information regarding items such as air traffic services and rules, customs/immigration procedures, ADIZ rules, and search and rescue
- <abbr title="Global Positioning System">GPS</abbr> <abbr title="Reciever Autonomous Integrity Monitoring">RAIM</abbr> availability for 1 hour before to 1 hour after <abbr title="Estimated Time of Arrival">ETA</abbr>, or a time specified by the pilot
- Any other assistance as required

Standard Briefing

An abbreviated briefing is a shortened version of a standard briefing and is used to supplement mass disseminated data (such as information obtained from a Transcribed Weather Broadcast), to update a previous weather briefing, or when only one or two specific items are needed from a standard briefing.

When requesting an abbreviated briefing, provide the briefer with appropriate information relating to the flight such as the departure time, route of flight, the time the previous briefing was received, and/or the specific information needed. It is recommended that the source of the information already received be provided to the briefer so that he/she can limit the briefing to the information that has not yet been received and any changes in meteorological/aeronautical conditions. The briefer will usually follow the sequence used during Standard Briefings and will advise you if adverse conditions (both meteorological and aeronautical) are present or forecasted; additional details regarding these conditions can be provided upon the pilot's request.

For international flights, it is highly advised to check data as soon as practical after entering foreign airspace, as the information obtained beforehand may be inaccurate or incomplete.

Abbreviated Briefing

Pilots should request an outlook briefing whenever the proposed departure time is 6 or more hours from the time of the briefing. All available forecast data applicable to the proposed flight is provided and is intended for planning purposes only. It is strongly recommended that the pilot obtain a standard or abbreviated briefing prior to departure in order to obtain updated information regarding adverse conditions, current conditions, forecasts, winds aloft, and <abbr title="Notice to Airmen">NOTAM</abbr>s.


Outlook Briefing

Pilots are encouraged to obtain preflight briefings by telephone or in person before departure, briefings may also be received online. In those cases where you need to obtain a preflight briefing or an update to a previous briefing via radio, contact the nearest <abbr title="Flight Service Station">FSS</abbr>. Just like over the phone, provide the briefer with appropriate background information such as the type of briefing you require. Information will be provided in the same sequence as the standard briefing. However, briefings received in flight are not meant to provide you with a full standard briefing, but rather provide you with the most current en route weather.

Advanced technology like in-flight datalink weather services now enable some aircraft to receive textual and graphical data link weather products and other information during flight. It is crucial that the pilot use these products in a caution manner dividing his/her time between looking inside the cockpit and outside to see-and-avoid other aircraft during flight. It is important that the most current weather be used in order to conduct the flight safely.

Obtaining Information Inflight

A good weather briefing begins before you contact a briefer. You should begin developing an awareness of the overall weather several days before the proposed flight whenever possible. Start by monitoring local weather patterns through TV channels such as The Weather Channel. The day before the flight, request an outlook weather briefing from a credible source such as Flight Service.

Before contacting a Flight Service Station, have a general route of flight and proposed departure time available.

**You can contact a Flight Service Station by using the universal toll-free telephone number: 1-800-WX-BRIEF (1-800-992-7433) or online at [https://www.1800wxbrief.com](https://www.1800wxbrief.com).** If using the online version, you will first need to sign up for an account using some basic information.

In order to receive the best service and most accurate information state what type of briefing (standard, abbreviated, or outlook) you would like to receive. The amount of detail in your weather briefing will depend on the complexity of the weather situation. The briefer will usually summarize each element unless requested to read them verbatim. Also, provide the briefer with the following background information so that the report can be tailored to your route of flight:
- Your qualifications (for example, if you are a student, private, or commercial pilot and if you are instrument rated)
- Type of flight planned - visual flight rules (<abbr title="Visual Flight Rules">VFR</abbr>) or instrument flight rules (<abbr title="Instrument Flight Rules">IFR</abbr>)
- Aircraft <abbr title="Registration Number">N-number</abbr> or pilot's name
- Aircraft type
- Departure point
- Estimated time of departure
- Proposed flight altitude(s)
- Proposed route of flight (if other than direct); specify any landing points along the way
- Destination
- Estimated time en route

Getting the Most Out of Each Briefing

Good weather judgement is a combination of knowledge, skills, and experience. **One of the top ways to improve your go or no-go decision making skills are by setting personal weather minimums based on your level of training and experience.** For example, you might use personal minimums of 2,000 feet and 5 miles instead of the regulatory <abbr title="Visual Flight Rules">VFR</abbr> minimums of 1,000 feet and 3 miles. If the weather is expected to go below your personal minimums, you automatically make a no-go decision. You may then gradually reduce you personal minimums to whatever limits you find comfortable at or above the legal limits.

Another important fact is that pilots can only make good decisions if they have the most complete and up-to-date weather information available. Here is a sequence you can follow to get the best overview of weather:
- Use media sources to get preliminary weather for flight planning:
  - Newspaper weather maps
  - TV and radio weather reports, such as The Weather Channel
  - Online, such as [https://www.1800wxbrief.com](https:///www.1800wxbrief.com) or [https://aviationweather.gov](https://aviationweather.gov)
  - Telephone Information Briefing Service (<abbr title="Telephone Information Briefing Service">TIBS</abbr>)
- Obtain a Standard Briefing
  - Flight Service Station (<abbr title="Flight Service Station">FSS</abbr>)
  - Online, such as [https://www.1800wxbrief.com](https:///www.1800wxbrief.com) or [https://aviationweather.gov](https://aviationweather.gov)



_If You Decide To Go_

Get in-flight weather updates, sources of weather information include the following:
- <abbr title="Flight Watch">EFAS</abbr> (Flight Watch) on 122.0 MHz below <abbr title="Flight Level">FL</abbr> 180 and as published at <abbr title="Flight Level">FL</abbr> 180 and above. <abbr title="Flight Watch">EFAS</abbr> provides the latest <abbr title="Pilot Report">PIREP</abbr>s, radar information, and satellite interpretation (real-time weather).
- <abbr title="Flight Service Station">FSS</abbr>
- Hazardous In-Flight Weather Advisory Service.
- Centers and terminal area facilities will broadcast a <abbr title="Significant Meteorological Information">SIGMET</abbr> or a Center Weather Advisory (<abbr title="Center Weather Advisory">CWA</abbr>) alert once on all frequencies upon receipt.
- En route weather via data link.

You can also ask the controller for <abbr title="Pilot Report">PIREP</abbr>s (regarding turbulence, icing, etc.) reported by other aircraft. To the extent possible, centers and terminal area facilities will issue pertinent information on weather in the immediate area and airport and, when requested, will help pilots avoid hazardous weather areas. Destination/terminal area arrival weather can be obtained via radio and/or data link from the following sources, as available:
- <abbr title="Flight Watch">EFAS</abbr> (Flight Watch).
- Flight Service or other <abbr title="Air Traffic Controller">ATC</abbr> facilities.
- <abbr title="Universal Communications">UNICOM</abbr> (evaluate carefully).
- Automatic Terminal Information Service.
- <abbr title="Automated Weather Observing System">AWOS</abbr>/Automated Surface Observation System.
- Terminal area data link



_If you Decide Not To Go_

You always have the option to delay or postpone a flight (and get a later weather briefing) or cancel a trip entirely if the weather is beyond your capabilities and/or that of your aircraft and equipment. Continue to monitor the weather to learn from your decision.

Making the "Go" or "No-Go" Decision

Having complete situational awareness of the overall weather around you will increase your likelihood of completing a flight safely. The <abbr title="Federal Aviation Administration">FAA</abbr> has compiled a list of helpful "Don'ts" for all pilots from beginner to pro.

Here is the list:
- **DON'T** fly in or near thunderstorms. Scattered thunderstorms may be safely circumnavigated, but do not try to fly through or under one. You will encounter severe downdrafts that the aircraft is not powerful enough to recover from.
- **DON'T** continue <abbr title="Visual Flight Rules">VFR</abbr> into Instrument Meteorological Conditions (<abbr title="Instrument Meteorological Conditions">IMC</abbr>). Wait it out or turn around if you find en route weather lowering below your personal minimums.
- **DON'T** forget that areas en route, or even near airports, may be below <abbr title="Visual Flight Rules">VFR</abbr> minimums, even though reporting stations are at or near <abbr title="Visual Flight Rules">VFR</abbr> minimums. Be especially cautious when the temperature and dewpoint spread is 3 &deg;C or less - fog may form.
- **DON'T** attempt to fly above weather hoping to find a hole in the clouds to descend through or get <abbr title="Air Traffic Controller">ATC</abbr> to talk you down near you destination. Set higher minimums during flight at night. Scud clouds, lower clouds, and even the horizon may be difficult or impossible to see on dark nights. Always stay above the highest terrain until a safe landing is assured.
- **DON'T** fly into areas of rain when the air temperature is near freezing. Ice can form on the windshield, impairing forward vision, and worse, it can form on the wings, which decreases aircraft performance. Remember, flight into known icing conditions is prohibited for all aircraft not properly certificated for flight in icing conditions or not properly equipped with ice protection equipment.
- **DO contact Flight Watch, Flight Service, or any available <abbr title="Air Traffic Controller">ATC</abbr> facility immediately if you get caught in weather or need help. Specialists are highly trained to assist you in these situations, but can only help you if you contact them.**

Safety Considerations For All Pilots

FAA Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) 25th Edition, pg. GEN 3.5-9

FAA-P-8740-30 - How to Obtain a Good Weather Briefing

AC 00-45H: Aviation Weather Services, pg. 1-5

FAA Testing Web-Based Preflight Weather Self-Briefing for General Aviation Pilots

Absence of the "<abbr title="Visual Flight Rules">VFR</abbr> Flight Not Recommended" does not guarantee a flight is free from adverse weather effects.

The initial three elements (adverse conditions, <abbr title="Visual Flight Rules">VFR</abbr> Flight Not Recommended, and Synopsis) may be combined in any order the briefer believes will help describe the conditions more clearly.

Pilots flying into areas of minimal <abbr title="Visual Flight Rules">VFR</abbr> weather could encounter deteriorating conditions not forecasted that may place the aircraft outside the pilot’s ratings and experience level, which could result in spatial disorientation, loss of control of the aircraft, and/or death.

<abbr title="Notice to Airmen">NOTAM</abbr>S that include Special Use Airspace, such as military operations area (<abbr title="Military Operations Area">MOA</abbr>), military training route (<abbr title="Miltary Training Route">MTR</abbr>), and warning areas are only provided upon request of the pilot.

<abbr title="Notice to Airmen">NOTAM</abbr> information may be combined with current conditions when a briefer believes it is logical to do so.

<abbr title="Notice to Airmen">NOTAM</abbr>(D), which includes published information, and <abbr title="Notice to Airmen">NOTAM</abbr>(FDC) which includes mandatory issuances and compliance such as safety hazards or Temporary Flight Restrictions, are not included in pilot briefings unless requested by the pilot.

Pilot are strongly encouraged to request updated information from <abbr title="Air Traffic Controller">ATC</abbr> facilities while in flight.

To decrease the chances of a briefer overlooking an item, save any questions you have until the briefing has been completed, this way the briefer can present the information in a logical sequence.

Using an online briefing system while on the telephone with a briefer can help give you a better overview of the weather conditions since you are able to view the same maps and charts that the briefer is using. It is most helpful since you are able to ask questions about any weather you may not understand.

Preflight Weather Briefings

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