NTSB To Examine Use of Pireps

The National Transportation Safety Board is examining whether the pilot weather report system, commonly called Pireps, needs improvement and how other technologies could enhance the flow of weather information. The Safety Board is holding a forum on June 21 and 22 titled “Pireps: Pay it Forward…Because Weather for One is Weather for None.” The event is expected to attract the participation of 16 industry groups, federal agencies and academic organizations.

“For Pireps to be most effective they must be accurate and made quickly available in the National Airspace System,” said NTSB member Robert Sumwalt, who will preside over the forum. “There are several problems degrading the effectiveness of Pireps and it is our intent to use information gathered during our forum—from across the broad spectrum of the aviation community—to find the best ways to improve Pirep handling and use.”

The Safety Board delves into weather reporting systems as loss of control in general aviation accidents remains on its “Most Wanted” listed of needed safety improvements.