What is an unscheduled weather advisory that alerts pilots for the next two hours?

• A. HIWAS
• B. CWA
• C. AIRMET
• D. TAF

Answer: (B)

The correct choice is a CWA, or Current Weather Advisory. This type of advisory is issued to inform pilots about significant short-term weather conditions that may impact flight operations. Specifically, CWAs are typically valid for a duration of up to two hours and cover a range of weather phenomena, such as turbulence, wind shear, or significant precipitation that could affect safety during flight.

This advisory is crucial in providing real-time updates to pilots, allowing them to make informed decisions during their flight regarding route adjustments or preparations for changing weather conditions. It serves as an important tool for maintaining safety in aviation, especially in rapidly changing weather situations.

In contrast, other options do not fulfill the same role. For example, HIWAS (Hazardous In-flight Weather Advisory Service) is a continuous broadcast of pertinent weather advisories intended to help pilots remain informed during flight but doesn't fit the definition of an unscheduled advisory like the CWA. AIRMETs are advisory messages concerning moderate weather phenomena aimed primarily at smaller aircraft, usually covering longer time frames and not limiting themselves to the two-hour window. Lastly, TAFs (Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts) provide weather forecasts for five statute miles around airports for 24 to 30-hour periods, which again does