UA.III.A.K1: Internet weather briefing and sources of weather available for flight planning purposes.

ACS Area III — Weather Task A: Sources of Weather References: ACAdvisory CircularCloseFAA guidance that explains acceptable ways to comply with rules or understand FAA procedures. 107-2; AIMAeronautical Information ManualCloseFAA operational guidance and glossary material used to understand aviation procedures and terminology.; FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.-H-8083-25; FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.-G-8082-22

Key Concepts

Primary Briefing Channels and Access

Before each flight, obtain a complete weather briefing. You can use online resources to meet regulatory requirements, but combining a self-brief with a call to Flight Service enhances understanding and decision-making. Choose the briefing type—Standard, Abbreviated, or Outlook—and prepare flight details like route, departure time, altitude, and estimated time en route (ETEEstimated Time EnrouteCloseThe expected time needed to fly from one point to another.). The Flight Service system records the briefing type for future reference^[1].

Flight Service Stations (FSSFlight Service StationCloseFAA-certified briefing support for weather, NOTAMs, and flight information.) are available 24/7 at 1-800-WXWeatherCloseCommon aviation shorthand for weather. BRIEF, offering inflight updates and advisories. They provide TIBSTelephone Information Briefing ServiceCloseAutomated recorded weather briefing information referenced in FAA weather material. (automated telephone recordings) as a preliminary tool, but TIBSTelephone Information Briefing ServiceCloseAutomated recorded weather briefing information referenced in FAA weather material. does not replace a Standard briefing. HIWASHazardous Inflight Weather Advisory ServiceCloseA legacy broadcast service for hazardous weather advisories over selected navigation aids. broadcasts hazardous weather (AIRMETsAirmen's Meteorological InformationCloseA weather advisory for conditions such as turbulence, icing, mountain obscuration, or widespread low visibility., SIGMETsSignificant Meteorological InformationCloseA weather advisory for significant hazards such as severe turbulence, severe icing, or thunderstorms., convective SIGMETsSignificant Meteorological InformationCloseA weather advisory for significant hazards such as severe turbulence, severe icing, or thunderstorms., urgent PIREPsPilot Weather ReportCloseA weather report from a pilot in flight, useful for confirming real conditions.) over selected VORsVHF Omnidirectional RangeCloseGround-based navigation aid used by crewed aircraft. in the contiguous U.S.; HIWASHazardous Inflight Weather Advisory ServiceCloseA legacy broadcast service for hazardous weather advisories over selected navigation aids.-capable VORsVHF Omnidirectional RangeCloseGround-based navigation aid used by crewed aircraft. are marked with an “H” on charts. In Alaska, TWEBTranscribed Weather BroadcastCloseRecorded weather broadcast service, especially relevant in Alaska references. provides continuous automated weather broadcasts^[2].

FSSFlight Service StationCloseFAA-certified briefing support for weather, NOTAMs, and flight information. specialists, certified as Pilot Weather Briefers, interpret available weather data into expected conditions for departure, en route, and destination. AWOS/ASOSAutomated Weather Observing System / Automated Surface Observing SystemCloseAutomated airport systems that provide current local weather observations. phone numbers are listed in Chart Supplements for direct airport weather by phone. Online self-briefing is acceptable, but some online sources lack Flight Information Services like NOTAMsNotice to Airmen / Notice to Air MissionsCloseOfficial notice about temporary conditions, hazards, or changes that can affect a flight. and TFRsTemporary Flight RestrictionCloseA temporary airspace restriction issued for safety, security, disasters, or special events.; obtain these through other websites or services. Alaska pilots can use the Alaska Aviation Weather Unit (AAWUAlaska Aviation Weather UnitCloseAn aviation weather unit that issues and supports weather products for Alaska.) briefing tool^[6].

Pilots are urged to receive a preflight briefing, available by phone, radio, or in person at an FSSFlight Service StationCloseFAA-certified briefing support for weather, NOTAMs, and flight information.. Internet access to Lockheed Martin Flight Services and DUATSDirect User Access Terminal ServiceCloseA legacy internet briefing and flight-plan filing service referenced in older FAA material. is available for preflight weather and filing flight plans^[7]. Additional vendor details and links: 1800wxbrief.com (customer service: 866-936-6826) and duats.com (customer service: 800-345-3828)^[8].

Briefing Types and Key Content

Standard Briefing includes:

• Adverse conditions (e.g., significant weather, icing, airport closings)
• “VFRVisual Flight RulesCloseRules for flight using visual reference and minimum weather conditions. flight not recommended” advisory when appropriate
• Synopsis of major systems and fronts
• Current conditions (ceilings, visibility, winds, temperatures; omitted if departure is more than 2 hours away)
• En route forecast
• Destination forecast (for ETAEstimated Time of ArrivalCloseThe expected arrival time at a point or destination.)
• Winds and temperatures aloft (temperatures on request)
• NOTAMsNotice to Airmen / Notice to Air MissionsCloseOfficial notice about temporary conditions, hazards, or changes that can affect a flight. (published NOTAMsNotice to Airmen / Notice to Air MissionsCloseOfficial notice about temporary conditions, hazards, or changes that can affect a flight. only on request)
• ATCAir Traffic ControlCloseThe system that manages controlled airspace, traffic flow, and aircraft separation services. delays
• Other information (frequencies to open a flight plan and contact EFAS, plus any requested items)^[3]

Outlook Briefing is for planning when departure is six or more hours away. Before departure, obtain a Standard or Abbreviated Briefing for updated adverse conditions, current conditions, forecasts, winds aloft, and NOTAMsNotice to Airmen / Notice to Air MissionsCloseOfficial notice about temporary conditions, hazards, or changes that can affect a flight.. Inflight briefings and en route advisories are available from FSSFlight Service StationCloseFAA-certified briefing support for weather, NOTAMs, and flight information. by radio to update or supplement prior information^[4].

Practical Implication: Use TIBSTelephone Information Briefing ServiceCloseAutomated recorded weather briefing information referenced in FAA weather material. for quick local checks, HIWASHazardous Inflight Weather Advisory ServiceCloseA legacy broadcast service for hazardous weather advisories over selected navigation aids. for continuous hazardous weather updates while en route, and call FSSFlight Service StationCloseFAA-certified briefing support for weather, NOTAMs, and flight information. for a complete Standard Briefing when you need the full set of elements and interpretation.

Internet Tools for Self-Briefing and Planning

The Aviation Weather Center’s Graphical Forecasts for Aviation (GFAGraphical Forecasts for AviationCloseAviation weather forecast graphics used to review broad weather trends and hazards.) provides digital, time-based maps with key forecast fields:

• Forecasts: TAFTerminal Aerodrome ForecastCloseAirport forecast format used to reason about future weather conditions., Ceiling & Visibility, Clouds, Precip/Weather, Thunderstorm, Winds, Turbulence, Icing
• Observations & Warnings tabs: METARMeteorological Aerodrome ReportCloseA current airport weather report format tested on the UAG exam., PCPN/WXPrecipitation / WeatherCloseWeather product shorthand for precipitation and significant weather., CIG/VISCeiling / VisibilityCloseWeather shorthand for cloud ceiling and visibility conditions., PIREPPilot Weather ReportCloseA weather report from a pilot in flight, useful for confirming real conditions., Radar & Satellite
• Access: aviationweather.gov/areafcst; use INFO for Overview, Products, and Tutorial. Static images for limited connectivity are available at aviationweather.gov/gfa/plot (Aviation Cloud Forecast and Aviation Surface Forecast)^[5].

Internet Briefing Best Practices: Build a repeatable flow using GFAGraphical Forecasts for AviationCloseAviation weather forecast graphics used to review broad weather trends and hazards. time sliders for trends, then add METAR/SPECIMeteorological Aerodrome Report / Special Weather ReportCloseCurrent airport weather observations, with SPECI issued when important conditions change., radar/satellite, and PIREPsPilot Weather ReportCloseA weather report from a pilot in flight, useful for confirming real conditions.. Confirm NOTAMsNotice to Airmen / Notice to Air MissionsCloseOfficial notice about temporary conditions, hazards, or changes that can affect a flight. and TFRsTemporary Flight RestrictionCloseA temporary airspace restriction issued for safety, security, disasters, or special events. using services that provide Flight Information Services if your weather site does not. Document your sources and times as part of your decision record^[6].

The FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes. maintains extensive automated surface observations (METARMeteorological Aerodrome ReportCloseA current airport weather report format tested on the UAG exam. and SPECISpecial Weather ReportCloseA special METAR-type observation issued when important weather changes occur.), often with human augmentation at select airports. Additional recorded weather sources include TIBSTelephone Information Briefing ServiceCloseAutomated recorded weather briefing information referenced in FAA weather material. (nationwide) and TEL-TWEBTranscribed Weather BroadcastCloseRecorded weather broadcast service, especially relevant in Alaska references./TWEBTranscribed Weather BroadcastCloseRecorded weather broadcast service, especially relevant in Alaska references. (Alaska). Private industry providers also offer weather and aeronautical information on a subscription basis^[8].