Aviation Information Resources
Canada Flight Supplement
The Canada Flight Supplement (CFS) is a joint civil/military publication and is a supplement of the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP Canada). It is the nation's official airport directory. It contains information on all registered Canadian and certain Atlantic aerodromes and certified airports.
REF (Reference): notes coordinates (expressed in DMS - degrees, minutes, seconds), magnetic deviation, UTC time difference, map its on, elevation.
OPR (Operator): person you call for permission to fly in the area
PF (Public Facilities): found at the airport
RWY DATA (Runway Data): magnetic (compass) directions of runways
COMM (communication): will have the correct frequency and who to call on your radio
Flight Information Center and NOTAMs
FIC (Flight Information Center) is a place that pilots can contact FICs to obtain any pre-flight information required, can be obtained 24 hours a day.
The specialist will provide callers with an interpretation of the latest weather reports, forecasts, satellite images and weather radar, copies of the latest Notice To Airmen (NOTAMs), and file, modify, open, or close a flight plan.
AWIS: Aerodrome Weather Information Service
FLT PLN (Flight Plan): where NOTAMS are found and how to get weather reports for the area
NOTAMs: is a Notice to Airmans. Contains information about out of service equipment, events/special use of airspace, suspended air services. Also gives notice to others about YOUR flight plan.
Image Source: https://www.navcanada.ca/en/news/blog/canada-is-transitioning-to-the-icao-notam-format-heres-3-things-you-should-know.aspx
Weather Reports
Weather Reports are crucial for pilots in order to safely plan their flight operations.
METARs (Meteorological Aviation Report): pertains to current weather conditions - hourly weather observations. Enter four letter code of airport to obtain a weather report.
TAFs (Terminal Aerodrome Forecast): report is valid for 24 to 30-hour time periods and is typically updated four times a day (a guess)
SIGMET (Significant Meteorological Information): hazardous weather reports
GFA (Graphic Area Forecast): large scale map of weather systems
AWOS: Automated Weather Observation Station
LWIS: Limited Weather Information System
Image Source: https://www.dronepilotgroundschool.com/reading-aviation-routine-weather-metar-report/
Information Services
Information services are available in large airports and are transmitted by radio. These transmissions allow pilots to make safe decisions while flying, or about to fly, their aircraft.
FSS (Flight Services Station) - has information on current arrivals and departures at a controlled airport
ATIS (Automatic Terminal Information Service): programmed with information such as current weather information, active runways, available approaches, and any other information required by the pilots, such as important NOTAMs. Will repeat when you dial in with a radio. Will have a special confirmation letter that you will need to make sure ATC matches.
ATIS - includes the following information: Airport/facility name, Phonetic letter code, Time of the latest weather sequence (UTC), Weather information consisting of: Wind direction and velocity, Visibility, Obstructions to vision.
Contains present weather consisting of: sky condition, temperature, dew point, altimeter, a density altitude advisory when appropriate, and other pertinent remarks included in the official weather observation. Always include weather observation remarks of lightning, cumulonimbus, and towering cumulus clouds.
Image Source: https://www.aviationbasicenglish.com/course/index.php?categoryid=5
Image Source: https://aerosavvy.com/category/communication/