There is a wide variety of conditions that a pilot
may report. All reported information is entered as it is
received on NMOC 3140/10, the PIREP report form
(fig. 3-1).
The upper portion of the form is used to record the
reported information. The lower portion of the form is
used to encode the PIREP for transmission.
Abbreviated plain language is used in the encoded
portion of the message to enter each reported element.
The abbreviations permitted for use are found in FAA
Order 7340.1, Contractions.
The contractions most frequently used are as
follows:
ABV
BKN
BLO
CAT
CHOP
CLR
CTC
DURGC
DURGD
E
EXTRM
FEW
FRQ
FV
GND
HVY
ISOL
LGT
LLWS
LN
LTGCA
LTGCC
LTGCG
LTGIC
above
broken (sky coverage)
below
clear air turbulence
chop (turbulence)
clear (icing)
contact
during climb
during descent
east
extreme
few (area/sky coverage)
frequent
flight level visibility
ground
heavy (precipitation)
isolated (area coverage)
light (turbulence, icing, or precipita-
tion)
low-level wind shear
line (area coverage)
cloud to air lightning
cloud to cloud lightning
cloud to ground lightning
in cloud lightning
MOD
MOV
MX
N
NE
NEG
NMRS
NW
OCNL
OVC
RIME
RY
S
SCT
SE
SEV
SFC
SKC
SW
TRACE
TS
UNKN
W
moderate (icing, turbulence, or
precipitation)
moving
mixed
north
northeast
negative (not present)
numerous (area coverage)
northwest
occasional (occurrence)
overcast (sky coverage)
rime icing
runway
south
scattered (sky coverage)
southeast
severe (icing or turbulence)
surface
sky clear
southwest
trace (icing)
thunderstorm
unknown
west
to or through (layer)
3-6