This course has been designed for ATS staff who produce METARs solely in tandem with a fully integrated semi-automatic observing system. The course aims to develop the skills necessary to observe, report and encode the ‘visual’ elements of the METAR to the standard necessary to ensure the safety of aircraft.
After completing this course you will be able to:
- observe, report and encode the ‘visual’ elements required for METAR reports and local ATS reports;
- demonstrate a good knowledge of the other elements making up METAR reports and local ATS reports;
- disseminate fully coded and accurate reports within agreed timescales;
- understand the process and criteria for issuing ‘special’ weather reports;
- demonstrate the ability to make observations during hours of darkness.
Note: The course concentrates mainly on the ‘visual’ elements which require manual confirmation before reporting, e.g. visibility, cloud, present and recent weather. All other observation elements are covered in this course but not to the same fine detail.