Pilot Reports

Introduction:

Pilot Reports

  • The submission of a PIREP can be initiated by both the pilot or an air traffic controller
  • Air Traffic Control:

    • FAA air traffic facilities are required to solicit PIREPs when the following conditions are reported or forecast:
      • Ceilings at or below 5,000'
      • Visibility at or below 5 miles (surface or aloft)
      • Thunderstorms and related phenomena
      • Icing of light degree or greater
      • Turbulence of moderate degree or greater
      • Wind shear and reported or forecast volcanic ash clouds
  • Pilots:

    • Pilots are urged to cooperate and promptly volunteer reports of these conditions and other atmospheric data such as:
      • Cloud bases, tops and layers
      • Flight visibility
      • Precipitation
      • Visibility restrictions such as haze, smoke and dust
      • Wind at altitude
      • Temperature aloft
  • PIREPs should be given to the ground facility with which communications are established; i.e., FSS, ARTCC, or terminal ATC
    • One of the primary duties of the Inflight position is to serve as a collection point for the exchange of PIREPs with en route aircraft
  • If pilots are not able to make PIREPs by radio, reporting upon landing of the in-flight conditions encountered to the nearest AFSS/FSS or Weather Forecast Office will be helpful
  • Some of the uses made of the reports are:
    1. The ATCT uses the reports to expedite the flow of air traffic in the vicinity of the field and for hazardous weather avoidance procedures
    2. The AFSS/FSS uses the reports to brief other pilots, to provide in-flight advisories, and weather avoidance information to en route aircraft
    3. The ARTCC uses the reports to expedite the flow of en route traffic, to determine most favorable altitudes, and to issue hazardous weather information within the center's area
    4. The NWS uses the reports to verify or amend conditions contained in aviation forecast and advisories. In some cases, pilot reports of hazardous conditions are the triggering mechanism for the issuance of advisories. They also use the reports for pilot weather briefings
    5. The NWS, other government organizations, the military, and private industry groups use PIREPs for research activities in the study of meteorological phenomena
    6. All air traffic facilities and the NWS forward the reports received from pilots into the weather distribution system to assure the information is made available to all pilots and other interested parties
  • The FAA, NWS, and other organizations that enter PIREPs into the weather reporting system use a standard format [Figure 1]
    • Items 1 through 6 are included in all transmitted PIREPs along with one or more of items 7 through 13
    • Although the PIREP should be as complete and concise as possible, pilots should not be overly concerned with strict format or phraseology
    • The important thing is that the information is relayed so other pilots may benefit from your observation
    • If a portion of the report needs clarification, the ground station will request the information
    • Completed PIREPs will be transmitted to weather circuits as in the following examples
  • Aeronautical Information Manual, PIREP Element Code Chart
    Aeronautical Information Manual, PIREP Element Code Chart
  • Aeronautical Information Manual, PIREP Element Code Chart
    Aeronautical Information Manual, PIREP Element Code Chart
  • Example:

    • KCMH UA /OV APE 230010/TM 1516/FL085/TP BE20/SK BKN065/WX FV03SM HZ FU/TA 20/TB LGT
      • One zero miles southwest of Appleton VOR; time 1516 UTC; altitude eight thousand five hundred; aircraft type BE200; bases of the broken cloud layer is six thousand five hundred; flight visibility 3 miles with haze and smoke; air temperature 20°C; light turbulence
    • KCRW UV /OV KBKW 360015-KCRW/TM 1815/FL120//TP BE99/SK IMC/WX RA/TA M08 /WV 290030/TB LGT-MDT/IC LGT RIME/RM MDT MXD ICG DURC KROA NWBND FL080-100 1750Z
      • From 15 miles north of Beckley VOR to Charleston VOR; time 1815 UTC; altitude 12,000 feet; type aircraft, BE-99; in clouds; rain; temperature minus 8°C; wind 290° magnetic at 30 knots; light to moderate turbulence; light rime icing during climb northwest bound from Roanoke, VA, between 8,000 and 10,000 feet at 1750 UTC

Issuance & Validity:

  • Issued when/as reports are received
  • Valid for current conditions and contain no forecasted data

PIREPs Relating to Turbulence:

  • When encountering turbulence, pilots are urgently requested to report such conditions to ATC as soon as practicable
  • Turbulence PIREP Information:

    1. Aircraft location
    2. Time of occurrence in UTC
    3. Turbulence intensity [Figure 2]
    4. Whether the turbulence occurred in or near clouds
    5. Aircraft altitude or flight level
    6. Type of aircraft
    7. Duration of turbulence
  • Example:
    • Over Omaha, 1232Z, moderate turbulence in clouds at Flight Level three one zero, Boeing 707
    • From five zero miles south of Albuquerque to three zero miles north of Phoenix, 1250Z, occasional moderate chop at Flight Level three three zero, DC8
  • Duration and classification of intensity should be made in accordance with FAA guidance [Figure 2]
  • Aeronautical Information Manual, Turbulence Reporting Criteria Table
    Aeronautical Information Manual, Turbulence Reporting Criteria Table

PIREPs Relating to Airframe Icing:

  • Aeronautical Information Manual, Icing Conditions
    Aeronautical Information Manual, Icing Conditions
  • The effects of ice on aircraft are cumulative as thrust is reduced, drag increases, lift lessens, and weight increases
    • The results are an increase in stall speed and a deterioration of aircraft performance
    • In extreme cases, 2 to 3 inches of ice can form on the leading edge of the airfoil in less than 5 minutes
    • It takes but 1/2 inch of ice to reduce the lifting power of some aircraft by 50% and increases the frictional drag by an equal percentage
  • A pilot can expect icing when flying in visible precipitation, such as rain or cloud droplets, and the temperature is between +02 and -10° Celsius
    • When icing is detected, a pilot should do one of two things, particularly if the aircraft is not equipped with deicing equipment; get out of the area of precipitation; or go to an altitude where the temperature is above freezing
    • This "warmer" altitude may not always be a lower altitude
      • Proper preflight action includes obtaining information on the freezing level and the above freezing levels in precipitation areas
    • Report icing to ATC, and if operating IFR, request new routing or altitude if icing will be a hazard
      • Be sure to give the type of aircraft to ATC when reporting icing
  • Reporting Icing Conditions:

    1. Trace: Ice becomes noticeable. The rate of accumulation is slightly greater than the rate of sublimation. A representative accretion rate for reference purposes is less than 1/4 inch (6 mm) per hour on the outer wing. The pilot should consider exiting the icing conditions before they become worse
    2. Light: The rate of ice accumulation requires occasional cycling of manual deicing systems to minimize ice accretions on the airframe. A representative accretion rate for reference purposes is 1/4 inch to 1 inch (0.6 to 2.5 cm) per hour on the unprotected part of the outer wing. The pilot should consider exiting the icing condition
    3. Moderate: The rate of ice accumulation requires frequent cycling of manual deicing systems to minimize ice accretions on the airframe. A representative accretion rate for reference purposes is 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.5 cm) per hour on the unprotected part of the outer wing. The pilot should consider exiting the icing condition as soon as possible
    4. Severe: The rate of ice accumulation is such that ice protection systems fail to remove the accumulation of ice and ice accumulates in locations not normally prone to icing, such as areas aft of protected surfaces and any other areas identified by the manufacturer. A representative accretion rate for reference purposes is more than 3 inches (7.5 cm) per hour on the unprotected part of the outer wing. By regulation, immediate exit is required
      • Severe icing is aircraft dependent, as are the other categories of icing intensity. Severe icing may occur at any ice accumulation rate when the icing rate or ice accumulations exceed the tolerance of the aircraft
  • Aeronautical Information Manual, Icing Types
    Aeronautical Information Manual, Icing Types
  • Aeronautical Information Manual, Icing Conditions
    Aeronautical Information Manual, Icing Conditions
  • Example:
    • Pilot: "[Agency], this is [Identification], [Location], [Time (UTC)], [Intensity of Type], [Altitude/FL], [Aircraft Type], [Indicated Air Speed (IAS)], and [Outside Air Temperature (OAT)]"
    • Pilot: "Washington Center, this is N1727V, VORTAC, at 1800, experiencing trace icing at 10,000 feet, cessna 172, 120 knots, indicating -10 degrees C OAT"
  • Rime ice. Rough, milky, opaque ice formed by the instantaneous freezing of small supercooled water droplets
  • Clear ice. A glossy, clear, or translucent ice formed by the relatively slow freezing of large supercooled water droplets
  • The OAT should be requested by the AFSS/FSS or ATC if not included in the PIREP

PIREPs Relating to Volcanic Ash Activity:

  • Volcanic eruptions which send ash into the upper atmosphere occur somewhere around the world several times each year
    • Flying into a volcanic ash cloud can be extremely dangerous
    • Regardless of the type aircraft, some damage is almost certain to ensue after an encounter with a volcanic ash cloud
  • Additionally, studies have shown that volcanic eruptions are the only significant source of large quantities of sulphur dioxide (SO2) gas at jet-cruising altitudes
    • Therefore, the detection and subsequent reporting of SO2 is of significant importance
    • Although SO2 is colorless, its presence in the atmosphere should be suspected when a sulphur-like or rotten egg odor is present throughout the cabin
  • While some volcanoes in the U.S. are monitored, many in remote areas are not
    • These unmonitored volcanoes may erupt without prior warning to the aviation community
    • A pilot observing a volcanic eruption who has not had previous notification of it may be the only witness to the eruption
    • Pilots are strongly encouraged to transmit a PIREP regarding volcanic eruptions and any observed volcanic ash clouds or detection of sulphur dioxide (SO2) gas associated with volcanic activity
      • Pilots should submit PIREPs regarding volcanic activity using the Volcanic Activity Reporting (VAR) form
      • If a VAR form is not immediately available, relay enough information to identify the position and type of volcanic activity
        • Pilots should verbally transmit the data required in items 1 through 8 of the VAR as soon as possible. The data required in items 9 through 16 of the VAR should be relayed after landing if possible

PIREPS Relating to Clear Air Turbulence:

  • Clear Air Turbulence (CAT) has become a very serious operational factor to flight operations at all levels and especially to jet traffic flying in excess of 15,000'
  • The best available information on this phenomenon must come from pilots via the PIREP reporting procedures
  • All pilots encountering CAT conditions are urgently requested to report time, location, and intensity (light, moderate, severe, or extreme) of the element to the FAA facility with which they are maintaining radio contact
  • If time and conditions permit, elements should be reported according to the standards for other PIREPs and position reports

Estimating Intensity of Rain and Ice Pellets:

  • Rain Intensities:

    • Light Rain:

      • From scattered drops that, regardless of duration, do not completely wet an exposed surface up to a condition where individual drops are easily seen
    • Moderate Rain:

      • Individual drops are not clearly identifiable; spray is observable just above pavements and other hard surfaces
    • Heavy Rain:

      • Rain seemingly falls in sheets; individual drops are not identifiable; heavy spray to height of several inches is observed over hard surfaces
  • Ice Pellet Intensities:

    • Light Ice Pellets:

      • Scattered pellets that do not completely cover an exposed surface regardless of duration; Visibility not affected
    • Moderate Ice Pellets:

      • Slow accumulation on ground. Visibility reduced by ice pellets to less than 7 statute miles
    • Heavy Ice Pellets:

      • Rapid accumulation on ground. Visibility reduced by ice pellets to less than 3 statute miles

Estimating Intensity of Snow or Drizzle (Based on Visibility):

  • Light:

    • Visibility more than 1/2 statute mile
  • Moderate:

    • Visibility from more than 1/4 statute mile to 1/2 statute mile
  • Heavy:

    • Visibility 1/4 statute mile or less

Finding PIREPs:

  • PIREPs are available through ATC, Flight Service Stations, or AviationWeather.gov
  • AviationWeather.gov PIREP Query
    AviationWeather.gov PIREP Query

PIREP Case Studies:

  • National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Identification: LAX05FA088:
    • The NTSB determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The pilot's in-flight loss of control following an inadvertent encounter with unforecast severe icing conditions. A factor in the accident was the inaccurate icing forecast developed by the NWS Aviation Weather Center

Submitting a PIREP:

  • Radio PIREP Submission:

    • When transmitting PIREPs manually, it is a good idea to write them our ahead of time with what you want to say
    • If you can't, or you omit something, its just a conversation, and need not be so formal and robotic when being read off
      • If you miss a critical piece of information, a controller will ask
  • Electronic PIREP Submissions:

Conclusion:


References: