How To File a PIREP!

Filing a PREPS from the air may seem intimidating but it is actually not difficult. In this program I walk you though the easy process of filing a PIREP.

Pilots and controllers need PIREPS! Don't be intimidated when it comes to filing PIREPS, they are needed and the give other pilots an accurate and up to date picture of the current weather conditions. Even when there is clear weather and it is a beautiful day you should let other pilots know. Giving a PIREP is easy call Flight Service in the air or on the ground. They’re more than happy to help and love receiving PIREPS. ATC uses PIREPs to re-route traffic and forecasters use them to validate weather reports and to issue, cancel, or change sigmets. PIREPs also “fill in the gaps” between ground-based weather reporting stations, providing more accurate information for preflight planning and in-flight decisions.

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[Bigpeat]

A tip a controller told me to use is to just say “RADIO ... this is ...(Your tail number) ..receiving on .... (the frequency that you are monitoring)’ Once FSS answers you let them know your direction and distance from the nearest VOR. (They love.using VOR locations) In my area I use 122.2 to both transmit and receive. Sometimes it’s the same person working two different radio stations so no need to identify other than just “Radio”

[ThePhototest]

I'm still in Ground School and it good to see this in action.

[PaulGarthAviation]

1:24 - It's been eons since I've done a PIREP, but Flightwatch took a while to respond. Q: Do you have to also say "something like Gainseville..." so that Flightwatch knows what button to push on their end? I think he's monitoring multiple inputs.

When I visited Hawthorne FSS, I remember the operator explained that Pireps are really important. He said, "You give me something and I give you something". He meant that you give him a Pirep and he gives you the weather en route. He also explained that the importance of Pireps is that it accumulates in the mind of the operator, over their shift, a picture of what pilots are actually experiencing. Also, sometimes stuff the operator sees on radar isn't necessarily the same as what we experience in-flight. And.... it keeps the FlightWatch gainfully employed. My concern of modern-day technology, is that the human interaction is fast disappearing. When I did all my solo cross-countries in New York, I went into Islip Flight Service and got a full live-briefing (over the counter) each time. He even gave me a printout that I took back to the flightschool.

Q: You can also open flightplans with FlightWatch - is that right?

Nice video.

[coasternut]

I always ask people who just landed what it's like. It can be a clear day but still be pretty bumpy. If I'm taking a non-pilot up, I'll need to know that

[KimWentworth-ye]

Had no idea you could change frequency from Flight Following to listen to weather. What if they need you to do an abrupt direction, climb for traffic.

[robertherring]

Awesome video, thank you!

Two questions:
Should you have made your initial call to Gainesville Radio so that FSS can be certain which TX/RX to use? Seems as though with whatever modern system they use these days they can tell where you are calling from so maybe it's unnecessary?

Is it necessary to stop transmitting after every field? I always assume that they're fast typists but maybe they would rather have it the way you deliver it to them?

I haven't submitted a PIREP in ages so I'd love to hear your thoughts.

[goproflightvideos]

I've heard they can be filed with ATC as well and they will pass it on.

[marcbicking]

I presume your radio does not have a Monitor function? If so, one could move Flight Following to Monitor and unless you're broadcasting, you'd here the Controller call up.

[ldmax]

A pilot report is really only useful if the actual conditions are significantly different from forecast. If I'm flying along in conditions that are exactly as forecast, I'm not going to bother filing a PIREP. If conditions were forecast to be sky clear and visibility unlimited and it's actually 3000 broken and 5 miles in haze, now that's something controllers and other pilots might want to know about. If it's clear and a million - a gorgeous day as you say in your video - nobody wants to hear from you. Just enjoy the flight.

[soccerguy]

isn't a PIREP for conditions that match the forecast irrelevant, redundant and a waste of time?