FAA Aircraft Dispatcher (ADX)MeteorologyMedium
A dispatcher receives the following report: 'UUA/OV DEN180040/TM 1830/FLUNKN/TP B737/WX FV00SM +TSRA GR1 1/2/TB SEV/RM HAIL DAMAGE.' What element of this report indicates that it requires priority handling and immediate distribution to affected aircraft?
- AThe 'UUA' identifier at the beginning of the report
- BThe 'RM' remarks section at the end
- CThe 'TP B737' aircraft type entry
- DThe 'FV00SM' visibility entry
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. The 'UUA' identifier at the beginning of the report
PIREPs are identified as either routine (UA) or urgent (UUA). The 'UUA' designator identifies this as an Urgent Pilot Report, meaning it contains hazardous weather information (in this case, severe turbulence and 1.5-inch hail) that must be given priority handling and rapid dissemination to other aircraft and dispatch personnel.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Remarks provide additional detail but do not themselves establish report urgency.
- C. Aircraft type identifies the reporting aircraft, unrelated to urgency.
- D. Visibility is a data field, not the urgency indicator.
Urgent PIREP (UUA)
A pilot report prefixed with 'UUA' indicating urgent weather information such as severe turbulence, severe icing, hail, low-level wind shear, tornadoes, or volcanic ash, requiring immediate distribution.
- 'UA' = routine PIREP, 'UUA' = urgent PIREP
- Urgent criteria include severe turbulence/icing, hail, wind shear, funnel clouds, volcanic ash
- Urgent PIREPs must be given priority handling by ATC and flight service
Memory trick: Double U in 'UUA' means 'urgent, urgent, act now!'