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BRIEFING
MENU FEATURE SERVICE
OPTION
*01 Pilot Briefing Voice This option takes users directly through to staff
in the Briefing Office where you can:
• Obtain pilot briefing material and/or
• Submit a flight plan
*02 Pilot Briefing Facsimile This option is to submit a flight plan via the fax.
*03 Pilot Briefing Change Use this option when you need to make a
Request change to flight plan, cancel a flight plan, or
confirm that your flight plan sent by fax has
arrived at the briefing office.
*04 AVFAX Pilot briefing material from the fax back system.
*05 DECTALK Digitised voice recordings of weather
information
*06 Publication Centre/ This option takes users through to Airservices
purchase a new Phone Publications Centre where you can order:
Away card • PhoneAway cards
• Aeronautical publications such as the AIP, En
Route Supplement, instrument and visual maps
and charts.
*07 Credit Card Refresh Use this option to top up the credit balance
on your PhoneAway card. Remember to have
your credit card ready and that only one credit
card can be used for each PhoneAway card.
*08 Voicemail Use the option if you wish if you wish to
access the Voicemail feature of the card.
*09 Fax Messaging Use this option if you wish to access the
Voicemail feature of the card.
*10 Fax Messaging Go back and listen to the menu options again.
OR Enter the number to Simply enter the number you wish to call,
be called using the full number including the area
code for all areas.
OR Hold on the line for You will be connected with Airservices.
Airservice’s Help Desk.
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NOTIFICATION REQUIRED FROM OPERATORS
FOR DOMESTIC OPERATIONS
All meteorological information issued on a routine basis and held by the briefing office
concerned is available without prior notice. Eight (8) hours notice is required for nonroutine forecasts.
FORECAST FOR FLIGHTS - VALID AREA FORECASTS NOT
AVAILABLE
Route forecasts required for flights for which valid Area Forecasts are not available will
be supplied subject to the prior notification specified below. Notification should include
part or all of the following information:
• departure aerodrome and ETD
• destination and ETA
• route
• ETAs and ETDs for intermediate stopping places
• alternate aerodrome and probable ETAs
• heights for upper winds and temperatures
• aerodrome(s) at which flight documentation is required
• time briefing required
FORECAST REQUIRED AVAILABILITY NOTICE REQUIRED
A.Preflight 1 hour before ETD 3 hours
B. Preflight for multi 1 hour before ETD 8 hours
stage flights having
a duration of more
than 6 hours
C.En route As arranged 3 hours
Requests for these should be made to the appropriate MET office as listed on page 125.
Note: Every effort will be made to expedite MET documentation for Mercy and SAR flights.
AREA FORECASTS FOR OPERATIONS AT OR BELOW FL200
These forecasts are issued in narrative form for aircraft operations at or below FL200.
They comprise a statement of the general synoptic situation and the meteorological
conditions expected to prevail in the designated area. A route forecast is issued for any
part of a planned flight for which a routine area forecast is not prepared.
These forecasts are available from the ATS automated briefing systems and briefing
offices listed in ERSA GEN.
AERODROME FORECASTS
An aerodrome forecast (TAF) is a statement of meteorological conditions expected for
a specified period in the airspace within a radius of five nautical miles of the centre of
the aerodrome or runway complex.
The TAF service provided is in accordance with the airfield category, the category of
airfield being determined by the type and the amount of traffic.
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CATEGORY DESCRIPTION AND SERVICE
CATEGORY AERODROME TYPE TAF SERVICE
1 International Issued 6 hourly, valid 24 hours
continuous MET watch and
amendment service.
2 Domestic with more than 500 Issued 6 hourly, valid for 12 hours,
movements per month MET watch and amendment
service during validity period.
3 Other selected domestic and Issued as required, valid 12 hours,
selected remote aerodromes MET watch and amendment
service during validity period
4 Remainder No TAF
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Adelaide 1
Aeropelican 3
Albany 3
Albury 3
Alice Springs 1
Amberley (RAAF) 2
Archerfield 2
Argyle 2
Armidale 2
Avalon 2
Ayres Rock 3
Bairnsdale 3
Balgo Hill 3
Ballarat 3
Ballina 3
Bankstown 2
Barcaldine 3
Barrow Island 3
Bathurst 2
Bathurst Island 3
Bendigo 3
Birdsville 3
Blackall 3
Borroloola 3
Boulia 3
Bourke 3
Brewarrina 3
Brisbane 1
Broken Hill 3
Broome 2
Bundaberg 2
Burketown 3
Cairns 1
Caloundra 2
Camden 3
Canberra 2
Cape Don 3
Carnarvon 2
Casino 3
Ceduna 3
Cessnock 3
Charleville 2
Charters Towers 3
Chillagoe 3
Christmas Island 3
Clermont 3
Cleve 3
Cloncurry 3
Cobar 3
Cocos Island 3
Coen 3
Coffs Harbour 2
Condobolin 3
Coober Pedy 3
Cooktown 3
Coolangatta 2
Cooma 2
Coonabarabran 3
Coonamble 3
Cootamundra 3
Corowa 3
Cowra 3
Cudal 3
Cunderdin 3
Cunnamulla 3
Daly River Mission 3
Darwin 1
Deniliquin 3
Derby 3
Derby South/ Curtin 2
Devonport 2
Doomadgee 3
Dubbo 2
Dysart 3
East Sale (RAAF) 2
Edinburgh (RAAF) 2
Elcho Island 2
Emerald 2
Ernabella 3
Esperance 3
Essendon 2
Evans Head (RAAF) 3
Fitzroy Crossing 3
Flinders Island 2
Forbes 3
Gayndah 3
Georgetown 3
Geraldton 2
Gibb River 3
Giles 3
Gladstone 2
Glen Innes 3
Goondiwindi 3
Goulburn 3
Goulburn Island 3
Gove 2
Grafton 3
Griffith 3
Groote Eylandt 2
Gunnedah 3
Halls Creek 3
Hamilton 3
Hamilton Island 3
Hay 3
Harvey Bay 3
Hobart 2
Hooker Creek 3
Horn Island 2
Horsham 3
Hughenden 3
Innamincka 3
Innisfail 3
Inverell 3
Ivanhoe 3
Jabiru 2
Jabiru Venture 3
Jackson 3
Jandakot 3
Julia creek 3
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AERODROMES AND CATEGORIES FOR WHICH TAF WILL BE
AVAILABLE
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Kalgoorlie 1
Karratha 2
Kidston 3
King Island 2
Kingaroy 3
Kingscote 2
Kintore 3
Kowanyama 3
Kununurra 2
Latrobe Valley 3
Launceston 2
Laura 3
Laverton (WA) 3
Learmonth 1
Leigh Creek 3
Leinster 3
Leonora 3
Lismore 3
Lockhart River 3
Longreach 2
Lord Howe Island 3
Mackay 2
Macarthur River Mine 3
Maitland 2
Mallacoota 3
Mangalore 3
Maningrida 2
Mareeba 3
Maroochydore 2
Maryborough (QLD) 2
Meekatharra 2
Melbourne 1
Merimbula 3
Mildura 2
Milingimbi 3
Minlaton 3
Moomba 2
Moorabbin 2
Moranbah 3
Moree 3
Mornington Is 3
Morawa 3
Moruya 3
Mount Gambier 2
Mount Isa 2
Mount Magnet 3
Mudgee 3
Narrabri 3
Naracoorte 3
Narrandera 3
Newman 2
Ngukurr 3
Nhill 3
Norfolk Island 3
Normanton 3
Norseman 3
North Rankin 3
Nowra 3
Nyngan 3
Oakey 2
Olympic Dam 3
Onslow 3
Oodnadatta 3
Orange 2
Paraburdoo 3
Parafield 2
Parkes 2
Pearce (RAAF) 2
Perth 1
Philip Island 3
Pickataramor 3
Point Cook (RAAF) 2
Port Augusta 3
Port Hedland 1
Port Keats 3
Port Lincoln 2
Port Macquarie 2
Portland 3
Proserpine 3
Quilpie 3
Renmark 3
Richmond (QLD) 3
Richmond (RAAF) 2
Rockhampton 2
Roma 2
Rottnest Island 2
Sale 2
Samuel Hill (RAAF) 3
Scone 3
Shepparton 3
Shute Harbour 3
Smith Point 3
Smithton 3
Snake Bay 3
Southern Cross 3
St George 3
St Helens 3
Strahan 3
Swan Hill 3
Sydney 1
Tamworth 2
Tarcoola 3
Taree 2
Telfer 3
Temora 3
Tennant Creek 2
Thangool 3
Thargomindah 3
The Granites 3
Tibooburra 3
Timber Creek 3
Tindal 1
Toowoomba 2
Townsville 1
Troughton Island 3
Tumby Bay 3
Victoria River Downs 3
Wagga Wagga 2
Walgett 3
Wangaratta 3
Warburton Range 3
Warrnambool 3
Wave Hill 3
Weipa 2
Welshpool 3
West Wyalong 3
Whyalla 2
Wilcannia 3
Williamson (MIL) 3
Williamtown (RAAF) 2
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Wiluna 3
Windorah 3
Winton 3
Wollongong 3
Woomera 2
Wudinna 3
Wyndham 2
Wynyard 2
Yorke Island 3
Young 3
Yuendumu 3
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SIGNIFICANT FORECAST ABBREVIATIONS
In reports, terminal forecasts and low level area forecasts, the amount of cloud will be
indicated by the following abbreviations:
SKC Sky Clear No cloud
or, if appropriate , CAVOK
FEW Few 1 to 2 OKTAS
SCT Scattered 3 to 4 OKTAS
BKN Broken 5 to 7 OKTAS
OVC Overcast 8 OKTAS
The only cloud type that are included in aeronautical code format are towering
cumulus (TCU) and cumulonimbus (CB). Forecasts in narrative form, such as low level
area forecasts, will continue to include cloud types other than CB and TCU when
appropriate.
In the case of CB cloud, the amount will be indicated as follows:
ISOL ISOLATED for individual CBs
OCNL OCCASIONAL for well-separated CBs
FREQ FREQUENT for CBs with little or no separation
GOOD is used in the visibility section of low level area forcasts to indicate a visibility
greater than 10KM over the entire area. When weather elements are forecast to
reduce the visibility below 10KM, GOOD is replaced by those elements and their
associated visibilities. Note that the visibility remains greater than 10KM in parts of the
area unaffected by those elements.
WEATHER CODE AND TRANSLATION
CODE TRANSLATION
BC Patches (or Patches of)
BL Blowing
DR Drifting
FZ Freezing
MI Shallow
SH Showers (or showers of)
TS Thunderstorms (or Thunderstorms with)
BR Mist
DU Dust
DS Dust storm
DZ Drizzle
FC Funnel Clouds
FG Fog
FU Smoke
GR Hail
GS Small hail pellets
HZ Haze
IC Ice Crystals (very small ice crystals in suspension, also known as
diamond dust)
PL Ice Pellets
PO Dust Devils
RA Rain
SA Sand
SG Snow Grains
SN Snow
SQ Squalls
SS Sand Storm
VA Volcanic Ash
Note 1: There is an option for intensity to be described when used with the
abbreviations DZ, RA, SN, SH or TS. In these cases, the weather group is
prefixed by (-) for light, or (+) for heavy. Moderate intensity has no prefix.
Note 2: METAR/SPECI may provide an indication of weather in the vicinity. If this is
included, one or more of the weather groups above may be used, preceded by
the abbreviation “VC”
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TEMPO AND INTER
TEMPO and INTER are used to indicate significant variations of a temporary or
intermittent nature in aerodrome and landing forecasts:
TEMPO is used to indicate changes to conditions which are expected to last for less
than 60 minutes but more than 30 minutes in each instance and where the aggregate
of the changes is expected to be less than half the total period indicated
INTER is used to indicate changes expected to occur frequently and more or less
continuously throughout for periods of less than 30 minutes in each instance and
where the aggregate of the changes is expected to be less than half the total period
indicated.
FM is used in forecasts to indicate changes which are significantly different to
preceding information in one or more of the elements, wind direction and/or speed,
visibility, weather or cloud. The changes relate to improvements as well as
deteriorations. The forecast conditions commencing with the code “FM” will continue
until the end of the TAF validity period, or until replaced by another significant change.
CLOUD HEIGHT DATUM
In aerodrome and trend forecasts, cloud heights are given above aerodrome elevations.
In other forecasts, heights are expressed:
• as a flight level; or • with reference to mean sea level
FORECAST AMENDMENTS
Amendments to forecasts are issued as necessary when changes are expected during
the period of validity of a given forecast.
FM
TAF
START
TAF
FINISH
TAF
START
INTER START
TAF
FINISH
30
MINS
30
MINS
TEMPO START
60
MINS
60
MINS
TAF
START
TAF
FINISH
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TAF - AERODROME FORECAST
AERODROME WEATHER AND FORECAST DECODE COMPOSITION
IDENTIFIER
The identifier METAR is used to identify all aerodrome weather reports made routinely
either on the hour or half hour UTC which do not meet SPECI criteria. SPECI is used to
identify all other observations and is also used to identify observations recorded 10
minutes following an improvement above SPECI conditions.
The identifier TTF METAR or TTF SPECI is used to identify METAR and SPECI to which a
three hour trend is appended. The use of this identifier is restricted to those locations
for which Trend-Type Forecasts are issued.
The identifier TAF or TAF AMD is used to identify an aerodrome forecast or an
amended aerodrome forecast. If the forecast is provisional, the abbreviation PROV
becomes the first element of the identifier.
LOCATION
The location is indicated by either the ICAO location indicator, the place name, or the
approved abbreviation.
VARIATION FROM MEAN CONDITIONS
PROBABILITY OF POOR VISIBILITY
THESE GROUPS ARE ADDED AS REQUIRED
IF GROUPS ARE USED, THE PART IN DOTTED
LINED MAY OR MAY NOT BE INCLUDED
TAF or
TAF AMD
ORIGINATION
TIME
COMMENCE
TIME
CESSATION
TIME
COMMENCE
TIME
CESSATION
TIME
INTER
OR
TEMPO
PROB %
PLACE VALIDITY WIND
CAVOK
VIS WX
FM TIME
PROB %
WIND
WIND
CLOUD
VIS WX CLOUD
CAVOK
VIS
VIS FOG, MIST OR DUST
FORECAST OF TURBULENCE
FM BLW...FT MOD OR SEV TURB
WX CLOUD
CHANGE INDICATOR TO A NEW SET OF MEAN CONDITIONS
ALL THESE ELEMENTS INCLUDED
ANY OF THESE ELEMENTS INCLUDED
ORIGINATION TIME
The origination time of a TAF is expressed in a six figure group, followed by the
abbreviation “Z”
VALIDITY TIME(S)
The time of an aerodrome weather report is expressed in a four figure group followed by
the abbreviation “Z”. The period of validity of an aerodrome forecast is expressed as a
four figure hour group. UTC to hour UTC.
WIND INFORMATION
Wind direction is given in three figures relating to True North.
When the wind is calm, it is encoded as “00000KT”.
Wind speeds from 1 to 9KT, inclusive, are given in two figures; eg. 5KT is given as 05KT.
Variable wind direction is given as “VRB” and is used when the reporting of a mean wind
direction is not possible, such as:
• In light windy conditions (3KT or less), or
• The wind is veering or backing by 180
o
or more (eg, passage of a thunderstorm, or
localised wind effect)
Maximum wind speed is given only when it is 10KT or more greater than the mean wind
speed and the mean wind speed is greater than or equal to 15KT. The term “MAX” is not
included, the letter “G” followed by the maximum wind speed is used; eg 280° mean
speed 20KT, maximum speed 35KT, is given as 28020G35KT.
USE OF THE TERM "CAVOK"
"CAVOK" is included in the report or forecast when the following conditions are
observed, or forecast to occur simultaneously:
• visibility 10KM or more
• no cloud below 5,000FT or below the highest minimum sector altitude, whichever
is the greater, and no cumulonimbus; and
• no precipitation, thunderstorm, shallow fog, low drifting snow or dust devils.
Whenever a total of BKN (ie more than 4/8) low or middle cloud cover is present at
or above 5000FT, and CAVOK has been used, cloud amount and base are given.
VISIBILITY
In METAR/SPECI or TAF, the minimum visibility observed OR forecast is always given.
In METAR/SPECI, if the minimum visibility covers more than half the aerodrome,
or when visibility is fluctuating rapidly and significant directional variations cannot be
given, the minimum visibility is the only visibility information reported.
METAR/SPECI visibility will have a directional variation indicated when the minimum
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4
3
visibility is less than 5,000M and the visibility in another direction, covering more than
half the aerodrome, is at least 50% greater. Under these conditions, the minimum
visibility will be given first, with the direction indicated by one of the eight points of the
compass, followed by the higher visibility, without a compass point. 1000N 9999
WEATHER
Weather is given using the codes listed on page134. One or more of the codes may be
grouped eg TS or TSGR, SH or SHRA.
There is an option to describe the intensity of the weather which is only used with the
precipitation codes DZ, RA, SN, SH , or TS. In these cases, the weather group is
prefixed by (-) for light, and (+) for heavy. Moderate intensity has no prefix.
METAR/SPECI may provide an indication of weather in the vicinity. If this is included,
one or more of the weather groups on page 134 may be used, preceded by the
abbreviation “VC”.
CLOUD
Cloud height is always given as a three figure group in hundreds of feet, with the last
two digits omitted; eg: cloud at 700 feet is shown as 007.
Cloud information is reported from the lowest to the highest layer or mass in
accordance with the following:
• the lowest layer or mass, regardless of amount, as FEW, SCT, BKN or OVC as
appropriate
• the next layer or mass, covering more than 2/8, as SCT, BKN or OVC as appropriate
• the next higher layer or mass, covering more than 4/8, as BKN or OVC as
appropriate; and
• cumulonimbus and/or towering cumulus clouds, whenever observed, and not
reported in the above.
The cloud type will be identified only for cumulonimbus and towering cumulus when
observed at or near the aerodrome. These will be given as “CB” and “TCU”
respectively. When an individual layer (mass) or cloud is composed of cumulonimbus
and towering cumulus with a common cloud base, the type of cloud is reported as
cumulonimbus only.
Cloud details will be written as one word for each layer being reported; eg 8/8ths of
stratus at 500FT will be given as “OVC005” and not “OVC 005”
Whenever cumulonimbus cloud is forecast, the degree of associated thunderstorm
activity or probability of occurrence is included.
Cloud information is not included if there is no cloud. When the sky is obscured,
the group is omitted in a report and included in a forecast only if cloud is forecast.
Vertical visibility is never included.
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SIGNIFICANT VARIATIONS
Aerodrome forecasts may include an indicator of significant variation if changes in one,
or more of the elements of wind, visibility, weather or cloud, which would satisfy the
amendments criteria, are expected. These relate to improvements as well as
deteriorations.
The terms TEMPO and INTER are used to indicate significant variations of a temporary
or intermittent nature. The term FM Is used to indicate changes which are more lasting
in nature. The indicator is the beginning of a self-contained forecast or trend.
