FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Practice Exam

Do METARs depict actual or forecast conditions?

1. Forecast conditions

2. Historical data

3. Actual field conditions

4. Potential weather threats

The correct answer is: Actual field conditions

METARs are aviation weather reports that provide real-time observations of weather conditions at airports and other locations. These reports include information such as temperature, wind direction and speed, visibility, cloud cover, and other relevant meteorological data. The key aspect of METARs is that they represent actual conditions observed at the time of the report, rather than predictions or forecasts. The primary purpose of METARs is to inform pilots, air traffic controllers, and dispatchers about current weather situations to facilitate safe flight operations. By using this real-time data, aviation professionals can make informed decisions regarding flight routes, takeoff, and landing conditions. In contrast, other options relate to weather data types that do not align with the defining characteristics of METARs. Forecast conditions refer to predictions about future weather, which is typically provided by TAFs (Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts). Historical data pertains to weather records from the past, while potential weather threats involve predictive assessments of hazards that may impact safety but are not what METARs specifically convey. Thus, the accurate interpretation of METARs rests on their status as reports of actual field conditions.