METAR decode

Joined: Jul 2004
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 278
Likes: 10
From: Europe
ESGG 240850Z 11015KT 9999 SCT028 BKN070 M03/M07 Q1011 21490295=
21 = Runway 21
4 = Dry snow
9 = between 51 and 100% coverage
02 = 2 mm thick
95 = breaking action good
I have the decoding tables in french
21 = Runway 21
4 = Dry snow
9 = between 51 and 100% coverage
02 = 2 mm thick
95 = breaking action good
I have the decoding tables in french
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 376
Likes: 0
From: Grand Com f'Ort
This is in the UK AIP GEN 3.5.10, available at www.ais.org.uk
Why do people ask these questions here instead of knowing where this most basic of information is to be found?

Note: My question is not an attempt to 'flame' our friend from Dublin, but a genuine question about training, awareness, etc....
Why do people ask these questions here instead of knowing where this most basic of information is to be found?

Note: My question is not an attempt to 'flame' our friend from Dublin, but a genuine question about training, awareness, etc....
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 615
Likes: 0
From: U.K.
Kit d'R
You ever tried getting your staff to get you the data for the 8 digit code
Especially when it may not have been needed for a year or two.
Oh joy of past memories......
and when some never realised that the Rwy designator = degrees on compass to nearest
You ever tried getting your staff to get you the data for the 8 digit code
Especially when it may not have been needed for a year or two.
Oh joy of past memories......
and when some never realised that the Rwy designator = degrees on compass to nearest
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,547
Likes: 0
From: Dublin
Why do people ask these questions here instead of knowing where this most basic of information is to be found?
1. Because the UK AIP is not my home AIP, nor the one concerning the airport in question. The Irish AIP has no such decode in it. (Thanks for pointing it out in the UK AIP...I'll keep it for future reference). Why would I look up the UK AIP for the answer? The UK is not connected to my question in any shape or form.
2. Because most skills in life are of the sort that you use or you loose. In 6 years of flying, this is the first time I've had to decode such a thing. Even if I had learnt it during training (which I didn't...never came across it) it's unlikely I'd remember how at this stage. Most METARS don't include it, so there's little opportunity or need to learn and keep that skill current.
dp
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 376
Likes: 0
From: Grand Com f'Ort
dp, thank you for the explanation from your perspective...
You're right, the IAA AIP doesn't include the decode, so reference to ICAO documents is necessary. Of course, ICAO refuses to publish online, and so reference (for practical purposes) elsewhere is necessary. This refusal to publish by ICAO is an international scandal. It's driven by a desire to generate revenue from the sale of publications and an unwillingness to move into the modern world of easy comunication.
You're right, the IAA AIP doesn't include the decode, so reference to ICAO documents is necessary. Of course, ICAO refuses to publish online, and so reference (for practical purposes) elsewhere is necessary. This refusal to publish by ICAO is an international scandal. It's driven by a desire to generate revenue from the sale of publications and an unwillingness to move into the modern world of easy comunication.




