AIM ¶ 3-5-9 — Weather Reconnaissance Area
AIM 3-5-9 explains Weather Reconnaissance Areas (WRAs) used by Hurricane Hunters. Learn NOTAM rules, ATC services, and rerouting for pilot checkride prep.
In Plain English
Weather Reconnaissance Areas (WRAs) are blocks of airspace set aside so the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron (USAF Reserve "Hurricane Hunters") and NOAA's Aircraft Operations Center can fly into hurricanes and tropical cyclones to collect meteorological data in support of the National Hurricane Operations Plan (NHOP).
Key points to know:
- A WRA is published by NOTAM, which defines its dimensions and expected activities.
- WRAs are established only within U.S. Flight Information Regions (FIRs), outside of U.S. territorial airspace. They may border foreign FIRs but stay wholly inside U.S. FIRs.
- ATC services are not provided inside a WRA.
- Only participating 53 WRS and NOAA AOC aircraft may operate within a WRA.
- Non-participating aircraft should avoid WRAs, and IFR aircraft should expect to be rerouted around them.
Operationally, this matters during hurricane season: check NOTAMs along Gulf and Atlantic routes, plan extra fuel for possible reroutes, and never plan a track through an active WRA.
AIM Source Text
FAA AIM ¶ 3-5-93-5-9. 3-5-9. Weather Reconnaissance Area (WRA)
General. Hurricane Hunters from the United States Air Force Reserve 53 Weather Reconnaissance Squadron (WRS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Aircraft Operations Center (AOC) operate weather reconnaissance/research aircraft missions, in support of the National Hurricane Operations Plan (NHOP), to gather meteorological data on hurricanes and tropical cyclones. 53 WRS and NOAA AOC aircraft normally conduct these missions in airspace identified in a published WRA Notice to Airmen (NOTAM). WRAs. Airspace with defined dimensions and published by a NOTAM, which is established to support weather reconnaissance/research flights. ATC services are not provided within WRAs. Only participating weather reconnaissance/research aircraft from the 53 WRS and NOAA AOC are permitted to operate within a WRA. A WRA may only be established in airspace within U. S. Flight Information Regions (FIR) outside of U. S. territorial airspace. A published WRA NOTAM describes the airspace dimensions of the WRA and the expected activities within the WRA. WRAs may border adjacent foreign FIRs, but are wholly contained within U.S. FIRs. As ATC services are not provided within a WRA, non-participating aircraft should avoid WRAs, and IFR aircraft should expect to be rerouted to avoid WRAs.
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What is a Weather Reconnaissance Area (WRA) and who operates in it?
Per AIM 3-5-9, a WRA is airspace with defined dimensions, published by NOTAM, established to support weather reconnaissance/research flights. Only participating aircraft from the USAF Reserve 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron (Hurricane Hunters) and NOAA's Aircraft Operations Center may operate inside, gathering data on hurricanes and tropical cyclones in support of the National Hurricane Operations Plan.
Q2Are ATC services provided inside a WRA, and what should non-participating pilots do?
Per AIM 3-5-9, ATC services are not provided within a WRA. Non-participating aircraft should avoid WRAs, and IFR aircraft should expect to be rerouted around them. Pilots learn the WRA's location and dimensions from the published NOTAM.
Q3Where geographically can a WRA be established?
Per AIM 3-5-9, a WRA may only be established in airspace within U.S. Flight Information Regions (FIRs) outside of U.S. territorial airspace. WRAs may border adjacent foreign FIRs but are wholly contained within U.S. FIRs.
Related Paragraphs in AIM Chapter 3