Private Pilot Private Exam

Which in-flight advisory would contain information on severe icing not associated with thunderstorms?

1. AIRMET

2. METAR

3. SIGMET

4. Convective AIRMET

The correct answer is: SIGMET

The correct choice is based on the specific purpose and content of a SIGMET. A SIGMET (Significant Meteorological Information) is designed to report severe weather phenomena, including severe turbulence, severe icing, and other hazardous conditions in flight that can be significant for pilots, particularly for operations beyond VFR conditions. Severe icing not associated with thunderstorms is specifically addressed in a SIGMET, as it can pose serious risks to flight safety. These advisories are issued by the National Weather Service and are timely updates for pilots to be aware of hazardous atmospheric conditions that could impact their flight plans. In contrast, AIRMETs are typically used for less severe weather phenomena, such as moderate icing or turbulence, and are more general in nature. METARs are routine aviation weather reports that provide data about current weather conditions at airports but do not specifically report severe weather events. Convective AIRMETs, while providing information about thunderstorms and associated phenomena, do not address icing that is not associated with convective activity. Hence, the SIGMET is the most appropriate advisory for this situation.