Cavallier

Hello All,
Wouldn't mind some feedback on a discussion that occured at work regarding where wind is refrenced to on an ATIS, TAF and METAR.
I was always told to believe " what the met man says is true " regarding a TAF and METAR, but what is it refrenced to on ATIS. Is it true because the ATIS is basically the Met actual report ? Or is it Magnetic because it would be more useful for a pilot to determine his crosswind component from both a magnetic runway direction and a magnetic wind ?

Many thanks

Cav

RudderRatio

TAF, METAR winds referenced to True North.

ATIS wind referenced to Magnetic North for exactly the reason you gave in your last sentence!

Wind reported by tower is degrees magnetic as well for the same reason.

Snot Box

Just remember, anything that is PRINTED is always in True.

Any winds SPOKEN by ATC/ATS is always in Magnetic.

QNH1013

Great way to remember Snot Box!

Cavallier

Thanks guys looks like the beers are on me ?

The Cav

Sky Pilot

Hi guys,
The only exception to the "written - true, spoken - magnetic" rule are Volmet broadcasts which are basically transmitted METARS.
Hope this helps!

VRThomas

What about PIREPS?

I always "speak" my spot wind reports in Deg True.

If I gave my report in Deg Magnetic would they convert the number to True before issuing my observation in print?

So many things that make you go... HMMmmmm.

VRT

oldebloke

This recently came up on an IFR exercise.One is approaching a Field with the TWR closed,one is 'quoted' the recent Metar.In this case the FSS(flight service station agent)is verbalizing the metar winds which is true,so the case remains that the only Mag winds are from the TWR or the ATIS.....
Cheers..

Now try find the reference stipulating the above...

VRThomas

It is definately stated in the Canadian AIP. MET section, where a definition of each type of wx report is identified as providing True or Mag wind.

The only anomoly is the AWOS with VGM in Southern Domestic airspace!!!!!

(And to anwer my own question. If a PIREP is given in Deg Mag, the FSS will do the converting prior to publishing the report.)

VRT

Global Pilot

Approach controllers may give the actual to an aircraft unable to copy the ATIS for whatever reason. This actual will also be in degrees true... true or false?

VRThomas

It would depend on the approach controllers source.

He would have to identify where he got his info from, I.E. "ATIS wind is..." or the last hourly or special.

I've heard both.

VRT