Pilot Weather Reports (PIREP)

SNFO/SWSO VOICE COMMUNICATIONS

CHAPTER FOUR

410. PILOT WEATHER REPORTS (PIREP)

FAA air traffic facilities are required to solicit PIREPs whenever ceilings are at or below

5000 feet, visibility is at or below five miles (surface or aloft), thunderstorms and related

phenomena, icing of light degree or greater, turbulence of moderate degree or greater, wind shear

or volcanic ash clouds are reported or forecast. Aircrews are urged to cooperate and volunteer

reports of cloud tops, upper cloud layers, thunderstorms, ice, turbulence, strong winds and other

significant flight condition information. The PIREP should be transmitted to METRO, if

possible, or to the FAA ground facility with which communication is established (e.g., FSS or

ARTCC). The format and procedures are contained in Section C of the Flight Information

Handbook.

Example

PMSV:

"KATT 833, Eglin Metro, request PIREP."

SNFO/SWSO:

"KATT 833, 20 miles east of Crestview at 10,000,

T-34, cloud Tops 15,000, temperature + 20, wind

280/10, light turbulence in clouds."

PMSV:

"KATT 833, roger."

Section C of the Flight Information Handbook (see Figure 4-7) contains airframe icing and

turbulence reporting criteria tables. These tables give specific descriptions of intensities of icing

and turbulence. The most important information for any PIREP would be your type of aircraft

and position/altitude. There is a tremendous difference between a T-34 reporting moderate

turbulence and a 747 reporting moderate turbulence.

SPECIAL SITUATIONS

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