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AIM

4/20/23

7

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49

Meteorology

6.

Type of aircraft.

7.

Duration of turbulence.

EXAMPLE

1.

Over Omaha, 1232Z, moderate turbulence in clouds at Flight Level three one zero, Boeing 707.

2.

From five zero miles south of Albuquerque to three zero miles north of Phoenix, 1250Z, occasional moderate chop at

Flight Level three three zero, DC8.

b.

Duration and classification of intensity should be made using TBL 7

1

11.

TBL 7

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11

Turbulence Reporting Criteria Table

Intensity

Aircraft Reaction

Reaction Inside Aircraft

Reporting Term

Definition

Light

Turbulence that momentarily causes
slight, erratic changes in altitude and/or
attitude (pitch, roll, yaw). Report as

Light Turbulence; 

1

or
Turbulence that causes slight, rapid and
somewhat rhythmic bumpiness without
appreciable changes in altitude or
attitude. Report as 

Light Chop.

Occupants may feel a slight strain
against seat belts or shoulder straps.
Unsecured objects may be displaced
slightly. Food service may be con-
ducted and little or no difficulty is
encountered in walking.

Occasional

Less than 

1

/

of the time.

Intermittent

1

/

to

 2

/

3.

Continuous

More than 

2

/

3.

Moderate

Turbulence that is similar to Light
Turbulence but of greater intensity.
Changes in altitude and/or attitude occur
but the aircraft remains in positive
control at all times. It usually causes
variations in indicated airspeed. Report
as 

Moderate Turbulence; 

1

or
Turbulence that is similar to Light Chop
but of greater intensity. It causes rapid
bumps or jolts without appreciable
changes in aircraft altitude or attitude.
Report as 

Moderate Chop.

1

Occupants feel definite strains against
seat belts or shoulder straps. Unse-
cured objects are dislodged. Food
service and walking are difficult.

NOTE

1. Pilots should report location(s),
time (UTC), intensity, whether in or
near clouds, altitude, type of aircraft
and, when applicable, duration of
turbulence.

2. Duration may be based on time
between two locations or over a single
location. All locations should be
readily identifiable.

Severe

Turbulence that causes large, abrupt
changes in altitude and/or attitude. It
usually causes large variations in
indicated airspeed. Aircraft may be
momentarily out of control. Report 

as

Severe Turbulence.

 

1

Occupants are forced violently against
seat belts or shoulder straps. Unse-
cured objects are tossed about. Food
Service and walking are impossible.

EXAMPLES:

a. Over Omaha. 1232Z, Moderate
Turbulence, in cloud, Flight
Level 310, B707.

Extreme

Turbulence in which the aircraft is
violently tossed about and is practically
impossible to control. It may cause
structural damage. Report as 

Extreme

Turbulence.

 

1

b. From 50 miles south of Albuquer-
que to 30 miles north of Phoenix,
1210Z to 1250Z, occasional Moderate
Chop, Flight Level 330, DC8.

1

 High level turbulence (normally above 15,000 feet ASL) not associated with cumuliform cloudiness, including thunderstorms,

should be reported as CAT (clear air turbulence) preceded by the appropriate intensity, or light or moderate chop.

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22. Wind Shear PIREPs

a.

Because unexpected changes in wind speed and direction can be hazardous to aircraft operations at low

altitudes on approach to and departing from airports, pilots are urged to promptly volunteer reports to controllers
of wind shear conditions they encounter. An advance warning of this information will assist other pilots in
avoiding or coping with a wind shear on approach or departure.

b.

When describing conditions, use of the terms “negative” or “positive” wind shear should be avoided.

PIREPs of 

negative

 

wind shear on final,” intended to describe loss of airspeed and lift, have been interpreted

to mean that no wind shear was encountered. The recommended method for wind shear reporting is to state the
loss or gain of airspeed and the altitudes at which it was encountered.