When are PIREPs typically issued?

PIREPs, or Pilot Reports, are important reports that are issued by pilots to provide real-time information about weather conditions and other significant phenomena encountered during flight. They are particularly valuable for reporting conditions such as turbulence, visibility, icing, and cloud cover.

The typical procedure for issuing PIREPs is that pilots voluntarily provide this information when they experience significant weather that may impact the safety of other flights. Therefore, the primary purpose of a PIREP is to relay firsthand experiences about conditions in the air, making it crucial for the safety of other pilots and the overall aviation environment.

While air traffic control can request PIREPs, particularly in specific conditions or situations, the initiative usually rests with the pilots encountering the phenomena. Thus, pilots are the ones who actively report these conditions, ensuring that critical information is shared among all operating aircraft.

This understanding of PIREPs emphasizes their role as a pilot-driven mechanism to enhance situational awareness and safety in aviation.