JO 7900.5D Chg.1
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION JO 7900.SD CHANGE CHG 1 FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION National Policy Effective Date: 11/29/2017 SUBJ: JO 7900.SD Surface Weather Observing 1. Purpose. This change amends practices and procedures in Surface Weather Observing and also defines the FAA Weather Observation Quality Control Program. 2. Audience. This order applies to all FAA and FAA-contract personnel, Limited Aviation Weather Reporting Stations (LAWRS) personnel, Non-Federal Observation (NF-OBS) Program personnel, as well as United States Coast Guard (USCG) personnel, as a component ofthe Department ofHomeland Security and engaged in taking and reporting aviation surface observations. 3. Where I can find this order. This order is available on the FAA Web site at http://faa.gov/air traffic/publications and on the MyFAA employee website at http://employees.faa.gov/tools resources/orders notices/. 4. Explanation of Changes. This change adds references to the new JO 7210.77, Non Federal Weather Observation Program Operation and Administration order and removes the old NF-OBS program from Appendix B. Backup procedures for manual and digital ATIS locations are prescribed. The FAA is now the certification authority for all FAA sponsored aviation weather observers. Notification procedures for the National Enterprise Management Center (NEMC) are added. Appendix B, Continuity of Service is added. Appendix L, Aviation Weather Observation Quality Control Program is also added. PAGE CHANGE CONTROL CHART RemovePa es Dated Insert Pa es Dated ii thru xi 12/20/16 ii thru xi 11/15/17 2 12/20/16 2 11/15/17 5 12/20/17 5 11/15/17 7 12/20/16 7 11/15/17 12 12/20/16 12 11/15/17 15 12/20/16 15 11/15/17 19 12/20/16 19 11/15/17 34 12/20/16 34 11/15/17 43 thru 45 12/20/16 43 thru 45 11/15/17 138 12/20/16 138 11/15/17 148 12/20/16 148 11/15/17 152 thru 153 12/20/16 152 thru 153 11/15/17 AppendixL 11/15/17 Distribution: Electronic 1 Initiated By: AJT-2 11/29/2017 JO 7900.5D Chg.1 5. Disposition of Transmittal. Retain this transmittal sheet until the directive is replaced by a new directive. 6. Distribution. This order is distributed to select offices in Washington Headquarters; Air Traffic Organization; Office ofOperations Planning; NAS Weather Office; Flight Standards Service; the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center; the William J. Hughes Technical Center; the USCG Elizabeth City Facility; the Department of Defense (DoD); all air traffic field facilities; all Alaska flight service stations (FSS); FAA-contract weather; and the National Weather Service (NWS). Vice President, Air Traffic Services Air Traffic Organization 2 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ORDER FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION JO 7900.5D Air Traffic Organization Policy Effective Date: 12/20/2016 SUBJ: Surface Weather Observing The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Surface Weather Observer Program is a component of the National Airspace System (NAS). It combines with other elements of the NAS to ensure the overall safety of air transportation services. The FAA is committed to providing the resources necessary to ensure the vibrancy of this critical aviation service. This order provides the practices and procedures for weather observation services that support the important role it plays in the mission of the FAA. The practices and procedures set forth in this order apply to all FAA personnel, FAA-contract personnel, and non-Federal Observer personnel who provide aviation weather observation services. Weather observer personnel are required to apply the provision of this order as it pertains to their observational responsibilities. Observers are expected to exercise experienced judgment when encountering situations not covered by this order. Distribution: Electronic Initiated By: AJT-2 11/15/2017 JO 7900.5D Table of Contents Chapter 1. Introduction..............................................................................................................1 1.1. Purpose of This Order......................................................................................................1 1.2. Audience ..........................................................................................................................1 1.3. Where to Find This Order ................................................................................................1 1.4. Cancellation .....................................................................................................................1 1.5. Explanation of Changes ...................................................................................................1 1.6. Abbreviations and Acronyms ..........................................................................................1 1.7. Relationship to FMH-1 and Other Documents ................................................................1 1.8. Applicability of Procedures and Practices .......................................................................2 1.9. User Responsibilities .......................................................................................................3 1.10. Distribution ......................................................................................................................3 1.11. Changing the Order..........................................................................................................3 1.12. Maintaining the Order......................................................................................................3 Chapter 2. Guidelines ................................................................................................................4 2.1. Introduction......................................................................................................................4 2.2. Types of Stations..............................................................................................................4 2.3. General Types of Observations........................................................................................5 2.4. Augmentation Requirements ...........................................................................................5 2.5. Backup Requirements ......................................................................................................6 2.6. Long-line Backup Requirements ...................................................................................11 2.7. Certification of Personnel and Currency Requirements ................................................12 2.8. Types and Content of METAR/SPECI Observations....................................................13 Chapter 3. General Procedures ................................................................................................14 3.1. Introduction....................................................................................................................14 3.2. Definitions......................................................................................................................14 3.3. Aviation Weather Observing Locations.........................................................................16 3.4. General Observing Practices..........................................................................................17 3.5. Dissemination ................................................................................................................18 3.6. Corrections to Transmitted Data....................................................................................18 3.7. Delayed Reports.............................................................................................................18 3.8. Rounding Off Numbers..................................................................................................19 3.9. Record Keeping and Forms ...........................................................................................19 3.10. Evaluating Weather Sensor Accuracy ...........................................................................19 3.11. Criteria for SPECI Observations....................................................................................19 3.12. Content of METAR/SPECI Observations .....................................................................21 Chapter 4. General Procedures at Automated Weather Stations .............................................32 4.1. Purpose...........................................................................................................................32 4.2. Types of Automated Stations.........................................................................................32 4.3. Certification ...................................................................................................................34 4.4. General Procedures ........................................................................................................34 4.5. General Equipment Procedures......................................................................................34 4.6. Procedures at Non-Federal Observation Sites ...............................................................35 4.7. Procedures at Non-Federal AWOS Sites .......................................................................35 ii 11/15/2017 JO 7900.5D 4.8. Procedures for Handling Aircraft Mishaps at Automated Sites.....................................35 4.9. General Requirements for Record Keeping ...................................................................35 Chapter 5. Augmentation Requirements at Automated Weather Stations ..............................36