FAA Commercial Pilot Airplane (CAX)WeatherMedium
A pilot is flying VFR and observes a layer of stratus clouds at 1,000 feet AGL and a layer of altocumulus clouds at 8,000 feet AGL. The PIREP for this observation would likely report the sky cover as:
- ASK OVC010 BKN080
- BSK OVC010 OVC080
- CSK SCT010 BKN080
- DSK BKN010 OVC080
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. SK OVC010 OVC080
In PIREPs, 'OVC' (Overcast) indicates that more than 8/8ths of the sky is covered by clouds. If a pilot observes a 'layer' of clouds, it implies overcast conditions for that layer when reporting. The altitudes are reported in hundreds of feet AGL, so 1,000 feet AGL becomes '010' and 8,000 feet AGL becomes '080'. Therefore, 'SK OVC010 OVC080' accurately represents two overcast layers at those altitudes.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Incorrect. Same reasoning as B for the first layer, and inconsistent reporting for the second.
- C. Incorrect. 'SCT' (Scattered) is 3/8 to 4/8 sky cover, and 'BKN' is 5/8 to 7/8. Neither represents a 'layer' as typically reported in PIREPs for overcast conditions unless explicitly stated otherwise.
- D. Incorrect. 'BKN' (Broken) is 5/8 to 7/8 sky cover, but 'layer' implies overcast for PIREP purposes unless otherwise specified.
PIREP Sky Cover
In a PIREP, sky cover is reported using standard abbreviations (SCT, BKN, OVC) followed by the cloud base height in hundreds of feet AGL. If a distinct 'layer' is observed, it's often reported as OVC for that layer.
- SCT: Scattered (3/8-4/8 coverage).
- BKN: Broken (5/8-7/8 coverage).
- OVC: Overcast (8/8 coverage).
- Cloud base height is in hundreds of feet AGL.
- Multiple layers are reported sequentially from lowest to highest.
Memory trick: PIREP Clouds: See the Sky, State the Story, in Hundreds High.