FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Practice Exam

When are TAFs updated?

1. Only at the end of the 24-hour period

2. Whenever significant weather changes occur

3. After every flight

4. Only during the night

The correct answer is: Whenever significant weather changes occur

TAFs, or Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts, are updated whenever significant weather changes occur. This approach ensures that pilots, dispatchers, and other aviation personnel have the most current information regarding weather conditions that could impact flight operations. Significant changes can include major shifts in wind patterns, visibility reductions, the development of storms, or other factors that may affect safety and flight planning. Updates to TAFs are crucial because they provide vital forecasting information, which typically covers a 24 or 30-hour period, and they are not rigidly fixed to a schedule but rather reflect real-time developments in weather patterns. This flexibility allows for better preparedness and safety for aircraft operations. Thus, the need to adapt the forecast to real-time weather changes is what makes this option correct.