MET - METEOROLOGY Weather Services Should Be Addressed To: 1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION Flight Standards (AARTA) Transport Canada Ottawa on K1A 0N8 1.1 General Tel.:
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April 4, 2014 TC AIM Enquiries relating to regulations and standards for aviation MET - METEOROLOGY weather services should be addressed to: 1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION Flight Standards (AARTA) Transport Canada Ottawa ON K1A 0N8 1.1 General Tel.: ..............................................................613-998-9855 Fax: ..............................................................613-954-1602 The Minister of Transport is responsible for the development E-mail: .............................................. [email protected] and regulation of aeronautics and the supervision of all matters connected with aeronautics. 1.1.2 Meteorological Services Available The responsibility for the provision of aviation weather Aviation weather information is available from NAV CANADA services in Canadian airspace, and any other airspace in FICs. Telephone numbers and hours of services are listed in respect of which Canada has the responsibility for the provision the CFS and the CWAS. of ATC services, has been designated to NAV CANADA by the Minister of Transport. 1.1.3 Aviation Weather Services NAV CANADA is responsible for a range of aviation weather (a) Pilot Briefing Service services, which are provided to it under a contractual agreement with Environment Canada (EC). These services include The pilot briefing service is provided by NAV CANADA most civilian aviation weather forecasts. NAV CANADA FICs to accommodate pilots at the pre-flight planning is responsible for determining the location and frequency stage and for information updates while en route. Flight of aviation weather observations and forecasts, and for the service specialists can access and display a full range dissemination of this information for aviation purposes. of weather charts, imagery (e.g. satellite, lightning and radar) and aeronautical information (such as NOTAM, In addition to the aviation weather services provided by RSC and CRFI). They are qualified to provide briefings, NAV CANADA, other aviation service providers may offer consultation and advice, and to interpret meteorological MET weather services in support of operations at local aerodromes information. (See RAC 3.2 for details). that have light traffic, are private, and/or are used primarily in support of private industry, such as mining or other (b) Aviation Weather Web Site similar operations. The NAV CANADA Aviation Weather Web Site (AWWS) The Department of National Defence arranges for the includes the following: provision of aviation weather services at military aerodromes. (i) Local briefings: user-selected weather information within a 100-NM radius of any site in Canada that 1.1.1 Meteorological Responsibility has a surface aviation weather observation program; (ii) Regional briefings: user-selected weather information In accordance with CARs subpart 804 the majority of within given regional areas; and the standards for aviation weather services are found in: (iii) Route briefings: user-selected weather information Annex 3 to the Convention, The Manual of Standards and along a user-defined narrow route Procedures for Aviation Weather Forecasts (often referred to as “MANAIR”), and The Manual of Surface Weather In addition to the above, users can individually select all Observations (often referred to as “MANOBS”). The latter text, chart, and imagery observation and forecast products two manuals can be obtained on the EC Web site while Annex for display. They can also save regional area and route 3 can be obtained from ICAO. briefings for subsequent recall. A search engine is available to allow users to search documentation in the database, Enquiries relating to the provision of aviation weather services including FAQs (frequently asked questions). The URL for should be addressed to NAV CANADA: the AWWS is <www.flightplanning.navcanada.ca/>. NAV CANADA Aviation Weather Services (c) Other Pilot Weather Services 77 Metcalfe Street Ottawa ON K1P 5L6 By arrangement with the U.S. National Weather Service, upper level wind and temperature forecasts in digital form Tel. Toll-free (North America only): ........1-800-876-4693 are made available to operators in Canada for planning Fax: .............................................................. 613-563-3426 flights on a world-wide basis. Identical information is Fax Toll-free (North America only): ....... 1-877-663-6656 made available to the Gander Oceanic ATC Centre for E-mail: [email protected] planning transatlantic flights. 115 Return to Table of Contents Revision page Show bookmarks panel Show highlighted revisions TC AIM April 4, 2014 Aviation weather flight documentation is provided, At some locations, a digital altimeter display system is subject to prior notification, as determined by the local provided in ATS units, as required. weather service outlet in consultation with the operator’s local representative. Observations of slant visual range, vertical wind shear, trailing vortices and marked temperature inversions are not It is the responsibility of the operator to notify NAV CANADA, made in Canada. Aviation Weather Services, of new requirements. (See MET 1.1.1 for address.) (a) Reporting of Cloud Bases 1.1.4 Weather Service Information There are two distinct methods of reporting cloud bases. It is vital to the pilot to be able to distinguish and recognize When planning a flight, pilots can obtain aviation weather which method of reporting is in use. Heights in METAR and aeronautical information and file a flight plan through a and TAF are always stated as height AGL. On the other NAV CANADA FIC. (See RAC 3.2 for details). hand, heights in graphic area forecasts (GFA) and PIREPs are normally stated as height ASL, since terrain heights Radio communication should be established with an FIC on a are variable over the larger area covered. If heights are FISE frequency if in-flight information is required to assist in not ASL in GFAs, this is always highlighted by statements making a decision or to terminate a flight, or to alter course such as “ST CIGS 24 HND ABV GND”. before adverse weather conditions are encountered. (b) Definition of Ceiling Pilot requests for initial pilot briefings while airborne are not encouraged because this practice leads to frequency congestion. A ceiling is the lesser of the height above ground or water of the base of the lowest layer of cloud covering more than 1.1.5 Weather Observing Systems and half the sky or the vertical visibility in a surface-based Procedures at Major Aerodromes layer which completely obscures the whole sky. ATS procedures require that wind information be transmitted (c) Sky Conditions MET with landing and takeoff clearance only when the wind speed is 15 kt or greater. Sky conditions are classified in terms of eighths of sky covered [see MET 3.15.3(k)]. Major aerodromes are equipped with an anemometer on a 10-m mast, which feeds direct wind instrumentation readings 1.1.6 Pilot Reports to the local weather observation office and/or ATS units. Wind velocity (direction and speed) data is typically updated PIREP every 5 s using a running 2-min average. Variations to the Pilots are urged to volunteer reports of cloud tops, upper cloud wind speed (gusts) and/or wind direction are based on wind layers, cruising level wind velocity, and other meteorological data from the previous 10 min. information which may be significant to safe or comfortable flight conditions. The information is also used by EC Information on the cloud-base height is obtained by use of meteorologists to confirm or amend aviation weather forecasts. laser ceilometers, ceiling projectors, ceiling balloons, pilot PIREPs less than 1 hr old that contain information considered reports and observer estimation. Observations are provided to be a hazard to aviation are broadcast immediately to aircraft to the local ATS units in the form of METARs and SPECIs. using the affected area and will be included in subsequent scheduled weather broadcasts. PIREPs are also transmitted Temperature is read each hour from a remote readout on the EC communications system under the headings thermometer. Some stations have thermometers located “UACN10” for normal PIREPs and “UACN01” for urgent behind ventilated screens that require manual reading. PIREPs. A suggested format for PIREPs can be found on the back cover of the CFS and the CWAS. More information on RVR observations are obtained by transmissometers and PIREP is contained in MET 2.0 and 3.17. forward-scatter sensors. Observations representative of the touchdown and midpoint visibility averaged over 1 min and AIREP based on the light setting in use are automatically displayed Meteorological reports (AIREPs) are appended to the routine in digital form in the local ATS unit. At locations where RVR position reports of some flights as follows: information is accessible to the weather observer, the RVR is included in METARs and SPECIs when it is 6 000 ft or less for (a) International Air Carrier aircraft transiting Canadian the runway in use and/or the visibility is 1 SM or less. Refer to Domestic FIRs north of 60˚N and east of 80˚W, and north the METAR example (MET 3.15.3) for further details. of 55˚N and west of 80˚W should use the AIREP format and report routine meteorological observations to Gander Radio at each designated reporting point or line; 116 Return to Table of Contents Revision page Show bookmarks panel Show highlighted revisions April 4, 2014 TC AIM (b) All aircraft operating in the Gander Oceanic Area should 1.1.8 Differences from ICAO Annex 3 use the AIREP format and report routine meteorological observations at each designated reporting point or line. CAR 804.01(1)(a) incorporates standards contained in ICAO’s The exception is that aircraft cleared on a designated NAT Annex 3 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation— track will give these reports only if the phrase “SEND Meteorological Service for International Air Navigation. MET REPORTS” is included in their oceanic clearance. The current version of Annex 3 includes Amendment 76, which became applicable on November 14, 2013, and will There are no special requirements for transmitting AIREPs remain in effect until November 2016.