FAA Ground School Practice Test

What should pilots state initially when telephoning a weather briefing facility for preflight weather information?

1. Their intended route of flight and destination

2. The weather conditions at their departure airport

3. The number of passengers on board

4. Their pilot certification number

The correct answer is: Their intended route of flight and destination

When pilots contact a weather briefing facility for preflight weather information, the initial focus should be on providing their intended route of flight and destination. This information is critical because it allows the weather briefer to tailor the briefing to the specific area the pilot will be operating in. Understanding the route and destination helps in identifying relevant weather conditions, forecasts, and any potential hazards that could affect the flight. By stating the intended route and destination, pilots ensure that the information received is pertinent to their specific needs. For example, weather conditions can vary significantly along different routes and in different geographical areas, so having this information at the outset allows the briefer to deliver the most useful and timely updates tailored for that particular flight. Other options, while they may be relevant to a pilot's overall planning, do not provide the necessary context for a tailored weather briefing. Discussing weather conditions at the departure airport alone may not give a complete picture, and mentioning the number of passengers or the pilot certification number is not relevant to the immediate weather briefing needs.