Introduction

Weather is everything in aviation—know it, and you can fly confidently; ignore it, and you risk everything. That’s why mastering METAR and TAF reports is crucial for every pilot trainee. Whether you’re preparing for DGCA exams, simulator sessions at Marigold Aviation, or real-world flights, understanding these formats puts you ahead.

⚠️ METAR is a real-time weather observation, while TAF is a forecast. Both use coded language and represent the weather conditions critical for flight planning.

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What Is METAR & Why It Matters

METAR (Meteorological Aerodrome Report) is a time-sensitive weather report issued hourly (or half-hourly) at airports. It includes information on:

• Wind direction & speed (e.g., 27015G25KT)
• Visibility in statute miles or meters (e.g., 1¼SM or 1500m)
• Weather phenomena (like RA for rain, FG for fog)
• Sky condition (e.g., SCT020 = scattered clouds at 2,000 ft)
• Temperature and dew point
• Altimeter setting (e.g., A3012 = 30.12 in Hg)
• Wind shear or runway contamination, if applicable

Why it’s vital:

METAR helps pilots assess current conditions before and during pre-flight checks, enabling safe decisions about takeoff, landing, or diversion.

How to Read a METAR

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What Is a TAF

TAF (Terminal Aerodrome Forecast) is the official short-term forecast for an airport, typically covering the next 24–30 hours. It includes:

• Valid period (e.g., 1200/2400 = from 12Z to 24Z UTC)
• Wind & gusts forecasts
• Visibility expectations (e.g., 6000 = 6 km)
• Weather changes (e.g., BECMG, PROB30, TEMPO)
• Cloud types and coverage (e.g., OVC015 = overcast at 1,500 ft)

Why it’s essential:

TAF allows pilots to plan flights by anticipating visibility, wind changes, or weather events like thunderstorms.

How to Read a TAF

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Key Elements to Focus On

Element	What to Look For
Wind	Direction and gust warnings
Visibility	Especially <5 km or in meters
Weather	Precipitation, fog, thunderstorms
Cloud Cover	Before IMC conditions (e.g., OVC/FEW)
Significant changes	BECMG, TEMPO, INTER paragraphs in TAF

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Example METAR & TAF

METAR VABB 051200Z 15010KT 6000 RA SCT020 BKN050 25/22 A2998
TAF VABB 051120Z 0512/0612 14012KT P6SM SCT030 BECMG 0518/0520 12015G25KT 3SM RA BKN020

Decoded METAR: At Mumbai (VABB) on the 5th at 12:00 UTC:

• Wind 150° at 10 knots
• Visibility 6 km
• Rain present
• Scattered clouds at 2,000 ft, broken at 5,000 ft
• Temp 25 °C / Dew point 22 °C
• Altimeter 29.98 inHg

Decoded TAF: From 12Z to 12Z next day:

• Initial wind 140° at 12 knots
• Ceiling scattered at 3,000 ft
• Between 18–20Z, wind will increase to 120° at 15 knots gusting to 25 knots, expecting rain, broken clouds at 2,000 ft

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Pro Tips for Students and Cadets

• Start With METAR: Build familiarity before tackling TAF coding.
• Use ATIS for Reinforcement: Compare broadcast weather to actual conditions.
• Practice Decoding: Apps like ForeFlight or FlightRadar24 visualize data
• Log & Learn: Record decoded METAR/TAF in your flight logbook to track your understanding and flight correlation.

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Integrating Weather into Training

At Marigold Aviation, we:

• Incorporate METAR & TAF decoding in theory classes
• Use live weather in simulators – essential for ILS, crosswind, or low-visibility training
• Prepare cadets for DGCA’s emphasis on weather reports and decision-making scenarios

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Conclusion

Mastering METAR and TAF decoding is more than just passing an exam—it’s about building solid weather intelligence that keeps pilots safe from the first flight to the cockpit jump seat.

At Marigold Aviation, we make weather analysis a core part of your training—helping budding aviators confidently interpret reports and make well-informed flight decisions.

🔗 Further Reading

• Instrument Landing System (ILS): What It Is & Why Every Pilot Must Understand It
• What Is a Flight Logbook & Why It Matters for Student Pilots