FAA Weather Services

AIM ¶ 7-1-2 — FAA Weather Services

FAA weather services for pilots: Flight Service, 1800wxbrief, METAR/SPECI reporting criteria, and preflight briefings per AIM 7-1-2.

In Plain English

AIM 7-1-2 describes how the FAA delivers weather to pilots through the Flight Service program and Flight Service Stations (FSS). You can get briefings online at www.1800wxbrief.com or by phone at 1-800-WX-BRIEF (CONUS, Hawaii, U.S. territories) or 1-833-AK-BRIEF in Alaska.

U.S. airport observations (METAR routine and SPECI special reports) come primarily from automated observing systems, with human augmentation at select larger airports for elements automation can't detect.

A SPECI is issued when conditions change significantly. Key triggers from TBL 7-1-1 include:

Wind shift ≥45° in <15 min with wind ≥10 kt
Visibility crossing 3, 2, 1, ½, ¼ sm or lowest IAP minimum
RVR crossing 2,400 ft in the past 10 minutes
Tornado, funnel cloud, or waterspout observed or ending
Thunderstorm begins or ends
Hail, freezing precip, ice pellets, snow begin/end/change intensity
Squall (wind suddenly +16 kt, sustained ≥22 kt for 1 min)
Ceiling crossing 3,000/1,500/1,000/500 ft or lowest IAP min
Volcanic eruption or aircraft mishap

Pilots can obtain a regulatory-compliant briefing without calling Flight Service by using automated resources; AC 91-92 provides guidance. Why it matters: knowing when conditions trigger a SPECI helps you anticipate changes and decode reports during your preflight risk assessment.

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AIM Source Text

FAA AIM ¶ 7-1-2

The FAA provides the Flight Service program, which serves the weather needs of pilots through its flight service stations (FSS). Pilots may access weather information through www.1800wxbrief.com . To contact Flight Service in the CONUS, Hawaii, and U.S. territories; call 1-800-WX-BRIEF (1-800-992-7433); in Alaska call 1-833-AK-BRIEF (1-833-252-7433). The FAA maintains an extensive surface weather observing program. Airport observations (METAR and SPECI) in the U.S. are provided by automated observing systems. Various levels of human oversight of the METAR and SPECI reports and augmentation may be provided at select larger airports by either government or contract personnel qualified to report specified weather elements that cannot be detected by the automated observing system. The requirements to issue SPECI reports are detailed in TBL 7-1-1 . TBL 7-1-1 Other Sources of Weather Information Weather and aeronautical information are available from numerous private industry sources on an individual or contract pay basis.Prior to every flight, pilots should gather all information vital to the nature of the flight. Pilots can receive a regulatory compliant briefing without contacting Flight Service. Pilots are encouraged to use automated resources and review AC 91-92, Pilot's Guide to a Preflight Briefing, for more information. Pilots can access Leidos Flight Services via the Internet at http://www.1800wxbrief.com . Pilots can receive preflight weather data and file VFR and IFR flight plans.

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You are flying VFR in Class E airspace at 8,500 feet MSL during the day. What are your minimum visibility and cloud clearance requirements?

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Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask

Q1How can a pilot contact Flight Service for a weather briefing?

Per AIM 7-1-2, pilots can call 1-800-WX-BRIEF (1-800-992-7433) in the CONUS, Hawaii, and U.S. territories, call 1-833-AK-BRIEF (1-833-252-7433) in Alaska, or access Leidos Flight Services online at www.1800wxbrief.com to obtain briefings and file VFR/IFR flight plans.

Q2What conditions require issuance of a SPECI report?

Per AIM 7-1-2 and TBL 7-1-1, a SPECI is issued for significant changes including a wind shift ≥45° in under 15 minutes with wind ≥10 kt, visibility or ceiling crossing specific thresholds, RVR crossing 2,400 ft, tornado/funnel cloud/waterspout, thunderstorm beginning or ending, hail/freezing precip/ice pellets/snow changes, squalls, volcanic eruption, aircraft mishap, or other critical conditions in the observer's judgment.

Q3Must a pilot call Flight Service to receive a legal preflight weather briefing?

No. Per AIM 7-1-2, pilots can receive a regulatory-compliant briefing without contacting Flight Service by using automated resources, and are encouraged to review AC 91-92, Pilot's Guide to a Preflight Briefing, for guidance.

Related Paragraphs in Chapter 7

¶ 7-1-1

NWS Aviation Weather Program

¶ 7-1-10

Weather Observing Programs

¶ 7-1-11

Weather Radar Services

¶ 7-1-12

ATC Weather Avoidance

¶ 7-1-13

Runway Visual Range

¶ 7-1-14