Figure 14 
(Refer to figure 14.) The intensity of the turbulence reported at a 
specific altitude is 





   ANSWER: light from 5,500 feet to 7,200 feet. 

   Refer to the PIREP (identified by the 
   letters UA) in Fig. 14. The turbulence is reported in the 
   section identified by the letters TB. In the PIREP the 
   turbulence is reported as light from 5,500 ft. to 7,200 ft. (TB 
   LGT 055-072). 

Figure 14 
(Refer to figure 14.) The intensity and type of icing reported by a 
pilot is 





   ANSWER: light to moderate rime. 

   Refer to the PIREP (identified by the 
   letters UA) in Fig. 14. The icing conditions are reported 
   following the letters IC. In this report, icing is reported as 
   light to moderate rime (LGT-MDT RIME) between 7,200 to 
   8,900 ft. MSL (072-089). 

To best determine general forecast weather conditions over several 
states, the pilot should refer to 





   ANSWER: Aviation Area Forecasts. 

   An aviation area forecast is a 
   prediction of general weather conditions over an area 
   consisting of several states or portions of states. It is used 
   to obtain expected en route weather conditions and also to 
   provide an insight to weather conditions that might be 
   expected at airports where weather reports or forecasts are 
   not issued. 

To determine the freezing level and areas of probable icing aloft, 
the pilot should refer to the 





   ANSWER: Inflight Aviation Weather Advisories. 

   To determine the freezing level and 
   areas of probable icing aloft, you should refer to the 
   In-Flight Aviation Weather Advisories (AIRMET Zulu for 
   icing and freezing level; AIRMET Tango for turbulence, 
   strong winds/low-level wind shear; and AIRMET Sierra for 
   IFR conditions and mountain obscuration.) In-Flight 
   Aviation Weather Advisories supplement the area forecast. 

The section of the Area Forecast entitled "VFR CLDS/WX" 
contains a general description of 





   ANSWER: cloudiness and weather significant to flight operations 
   broken down by states or other geographical areas. 

   The VFR CLDS/WX is the clouds and 
   weather plus categorical outlook section, which contains a 
   summary of cloudiness and weather significant to VFR flight 
   operations broken down by states or other geographical 
   areas. 

From which primary source should information be obtained 
regarding expected weather at the estimated time of arrival if your 
destination has no Terminal Forecast? 





   ANSWER: Area Forecast. 

   An area forecast (FA) is a forecast of 
   general weather conditions over an area the size of several 
   states. It is used to determine forecast en route weather and 
   to interpolate conditions at airports which do not have a 
   TAF issued. 

Figure 16 
(Refer to figure 16.) The Chicago FA forecast section is valid until 
the twenty-fifth at 





   ANSWER: 0800Z. 

   The Chicago area forecast (FA) is the 
   second of two FAs depicted in Fig. 16. There is a note in the 
   communication and product header section that says 
   "CLDS/WX VALID UNTIL 250800," which means that the 
   VFR clouds and weather section of the FA (the forecast 
   section) is valid until 0800Z on the 25th. 

Figure 16 
(Refer to figure 16.) What sky condition and visibility are forecast 
for upper Michigan in the eastern portions after 2300Z? 





   ANSWER: Ceiling 1,000 feet overcast and 3 to 5 statute miles 
   visibility. 

   The Chicago area forecast (FA) is the 
   second of two FAs depicted in Fig. 16. It contains an entry 
   labeled "UPR MI LS," meaning "upper Michigan and Lake 
   Superior." Under this heading is a section labeled "ERN 
   PTNS," meaning "eastern portions." The entry, "23Z CIG 
   OVC010 VIS 3-5SM -RA BR," means that from 2300Z, the 
   forecast weather is an overcast ceiling at 1,000 ft. AGL, with 
   3 to 5 statute miles visibility in light rain and mist. 

Figure 16 
(Refer to figure 16.) What is the outlook for the southern half of 
Indiana after 0700Z? 





   ANSWER: VFR. 

   The question asks for the outlook for 
   the southern half of Indiana after 0700Z. Indiana (IN) is 
   covered by the Chicago area forecast (FA), which is the 
   second of two FAs depicted in Fig. 16. There is a heading 
   under "IN" labeled "SRN HALF," meaning "southern half." 
   Under this heading is an entry, "OTLK...VFR," meaning that 
   the categorical outlook is for VFR conditions. Note in the 
   communication and product header section that there is a 
   note, "OTLK VALID 250800-251400," meaning that the 
   categorical outlook is valid from 0800Z to 1400Z on the 25th. 
   Therefore, the outlook does not become valid until one hour 
   after 0700Z. You should still select "VFR" as the answer for 
   this question because it specifically asks for the outlook 
   after 0700Z, not at 0700Z; 0800Z is after 0700Z 

Figure 16 
(Refer to figure 16.) What sky condition and type obstructions to 
vision are forecast for upper Michigan in the Western portions 
from 0200Z until 0500Z? 





   ANSWER: Ceiling becoming 1,000 feet overcast with visibility 3 to 5 
   statute miles in mist. 

   The Chicago area forecast (FA) is the 
   second of two FAs depicted in figure 16. It contains an entry 
   labeled "UPR MI LS," meaning "upper Michigan and Lake 
   Superior." Under this heading is a section labeled "WRN 
   PTNS," meaning "western portions." The entry, "02-05Z 
   BECMG CIG OVC 010 VIS 3-5SM BR," means that between 
   0200Z and 0500Z, the weather conditions are forecast to 
   become an overcast ceiling at 1,000 ft., with 3-5 statute miles 
   visibility in mist. 

Figure 15 
(Refer to figure 15.) In the TAF for KMEM, what does "SHRA" 
stand for? 





   ANSWER: Rain showers. 

   SHRA is a coded group of forecast 
   weather. SH is a descriptor which means showers. RA is a 
   type of precipitation which means rain. Thus, SHRA means 
   rain showers. 

Figure 15 
(Refer to figure 15.) During the time period from 0600Z to 0800Z, 
what visibility is forecast for KOKC? 





   ANSWER: Greater than 6 statute miles. 

   At KOKC, between 0600Z and 0800Z, 
   conditions are forecast to become wind 210 at 15 kt., 
   visibility greater than 6 SM (P6SM), scattered clouds at 
   4,000 ft. with conditions continuing until the end of the 
   forecast (1200Z). 

Figure 15 
(Refer to figure 15.) In the TAF from KOKC, the clear sky becomes 





   ANSWER: overcast at 2,000 feet during the forecast period between 
   2200Z and 2400Z. 

   In the TAF for KOKC, from 2200Z to 
   2400Z, the conditions are forecast to gradually become wind 
   200° at 13 kt. with gusts to 20 kt., visibility 4 SM in moderate 
   rain showers, overcast clouds at 2,000 ft. Between the hours 
   of 0000Z and 0600Z, a chance (40%) exists of visibility 2 SM 
   in thunderstorm with moderate rain, and 800 ft. overcast, 
   cumulus clouds. 

Figure 15 
(Refer to figure 15.) What is the valid period for the TAF for 
KMEM? 





   ANSWER: 1800Z to 1800Z. 

   The valid period of a TAF follows the 
   four-letter location identifier and the six-digit issuance 
   date/time. The valid period group is a two-digit date 
   followed by the two-digit beginning hour and the two-digit 
   ending hour. The valid period of the TAF for KMEM is 
   121818, which means the forecast is valid from the 12th day 
   at 1800Z until the 13th at 1800Z. 

Figure 15 
(Refer to figure 15.) Between 1000Z and 1200Z the visibility at 
KMEM is forecast to be? 





   ANSWER: 3 statute miles. 

   Between 1000Z and 1200Z, the 
   conditions at KMEM are forecast to gradually become wind 
   calm, visibility 3 SM in mist, sky clear with temporary 
   (occasional) visibility 1/2 SM in fog between 1200Z and 
   1400Z. Conditions are expected to continue until 1600Z. 

Figure 15 
(Refer to figure 15.) What is the forecast wind for KMEM from 
1600Z until the end of the forecast? 





   ANSWER: Variable in direction at 6 knots. 

   The forecast for KMEM from 1600Z 
   until the end of the forecast (1800Z) is wind direction 
   variable at 6 kt. (VRB06KT), visibility greater than 6 SM, and 
   sky clear. 

Figure 15 
(Refer to figure 15.) In the TAF from KOKC, the "FM (FROM) 
Group" is forecast for the hours from 1600Z to 2200Z with the wind 
from 





   ANSWER: 180° at 10 knots. 

   The FM group states that, from 1600Z 
   until 2200Z (time of next change group), the forecast wind is 
   180° at 10 kt. 

Figure 15 
(Refer to figure 15.) The only cloud type forecast in TAF reports is 





   ANSWER: Cumulonimbus. 

   Cumulonimbus clouds are the only 
   cloud type forecast in TAFs. If cumulonimbus clouds are 
   expected at the airport, the contraction CB is appended to 
   the cloud layer which represents the base of the 
   cumulonimbus cloud(s). 

When the term "light and variable" is used in reference to a Winds 
Aloft Forecast, the coded group and windspeed is 





   ANSWER: 9900 and less than 5 knots. 

   When winds are light and variable on 
   a Winds Aloft Forecast (FD), it is coded 9900 and wind 
   speed is less than 5 kt. 

What values are used for Winds Aloft Forecasts? 





   ANSWER: True direction and knots. 

   For Winds Aloft Forecasts, the wind 
   direction is given in true direction and the wind speed is in 
   knots. 

Figure 17 
(Refer to figure 17.) What wind is forecast for STL at 12,000 feet? 





   ANSWER: 230° true at 39 knots. 

   Refer to the FD forecast in Fig. 17. 
   Locate STL and move right to the 12,000-ft. column. The 
   wind forecast (first four digits) is coded as 2339, which 
   means the wind is 230° true at 39 kt. 

Figure 17 
(Refer to figure 17.) Determine the wind and temperature aloft 
forecast for DEN at 9,000 feet. 





   ANSWER: 230° true at 21 knots, temperature -4°C. 

   Refer to the FD forecast in Fig. 17. 
   Locate DEN on the left side of the chart and move to the 
   right to the 9,000-ft. column. The wind and temperature 
   forecast is coded as 2321-04. The forecast is decoded as 
   230° true at 21 kt., temperature -4°C. 

Figure 17 
(Refer to figure 17.) What wind is forecast for STL at 12,000 feet? 





   ANSWER: 230° true at 39 knots. 

   Refer to the FD forecast in Fig. 17. 
   Locate STL on the left side of the chart and move to the 
   right to the 12,000 ft. column. The wind forecast (first four 
   digits) is coded as 2339. The forecast is decoded as 230° true 
   at 39 kt. 

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