Tel.: +1 514-954-8219 ext. 6717
Ref.: AN 10/1.1-20/16 2 April 2020
Subject: Adoption of Amendment 79 to Annex 3
Action required: a) Notify any disapproval before
20 July 2020; b) Notify any differences and compliance
before 5 October 20201 c) Consider the use of the
Electronic Filing of Differences (EFOD) System for
notification of differences and compliance
Sir/Madam,
1. I have the honour to inform you that Amendment 79 to the International Standards and
Recommended Practices, Meteorological Service for International Air Navigation (Annex 3 to the
Convention on International Civil Aviation) was adopted by the Council at the fourth meeting of its 219th
Session on 9 March 2020. Copies of the Amendment and the Resolution of Adoption are available as
attachments to the electronic version of this State letter on the ICAO-NET (http://portal.icao.int) where
you can access all other relevant documentation.
2. When adopting the amendment, the Council prescribed 20 July 2020 as the date on which
it will become effective, except for any part concerning which a majority of Contracting States have
registered their disapproval before that date. In addition, the Council resolved that Amendment 79, to the
extent it becomes effective, will become applicable on 5 November 2020 unless otherwise indicated.
3. Amendment 79 arises from recommendations developed by the fourth meeting of the
Meteorology Panel (METP/4) concerning SIGMET information concerning the release of radioactive
material in the atmosphere, improved harmonization of SIGMET information, space weather advisory
information, routine observations at aerodromes (METAR) information, tropical cyclone advisory and
related SIGMET information, the ICAO Meteorological Information Exchange Model (IWXXM), the
international airways volcano watch (IAVW), the world area forecast system (WAFS), special air-reports
on turbulence, quality management system, dissemination of AIRMET and GAMET and the inclusion of
heavy dust storms (HVY DS) in special air-reports.
1
4 October 2021 for provisions indicating applicable as of 4 November 2021.
-2-
4. The provisions in Annex 3 with a delayed applicability date of 4 November 2021 and
concerning the dissemination of significant weather (SIGWX) forecasts in IWXXM GML form are
intended to enable World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to develop the supporting data models
and to allow sufficient time for full implementation by States.
5. The subjects are given in the amendment to the Foreword of Annex 3, a copy of which is
in Attachment A.
6. In conformity with the Resolution of Adoption, may I request:
a) that before 20 July 2020 you inform me if there is any part of the adopted Standards
and Recommended Practices (SARPs) amendments in Amendment 79 concerning
which your Government wishes to register disapproval, using the form in
Attachment B for this purpose. Please note that only statements of disapproval need
be registered and if you do not reply it will be assumed that you do not disapprove of
the amendment;
b) that before 5 October 20202 you inform me of the following, using the Electronic
Filing of Differences (EFOD) System or the form in Attachment C for this purpose:
1) any differences that will exist on 5 November 2020 between the national
regulations or practices of your Government and the provisions of the whole of
Annex 3, as amended by all amendments up to and including Amendment 79,
and thereafter of any further differences that may arise; and
2) the date or dates by which your Government will have complied with the
provisions of the whole of Annex 3, as amended by all amendments up to and
including Amendment 79.
7. With reference to the request in paragraph 6 a) above, it should be noted that a
registration of disapproval of Amendment 79 or any part of it in accordance with Article 90 of the
Convention does not constitute a notification of differences under Article 38 of the Convention. To
comply with the latter provision, a separate statement is necessary if any differences do exist, as requested
in paragraph 6 b) 1). It is recalled in this respect that international Standards in Annexes have a
conditional binding force, to the extent that the State or States concerned have not notified any difference
thereto under Article 38 of the Convention.
8. With reference to the request in paragraph 6 b) above, it should be also noted that the
ICAO Assembly, at its 39th Session (27 September to 6 October 2016), resolved that Member States
should be encouraged to use the EFOD System when notifying differences (Resolution A39-22, refers).
The EFOD System is currently available on the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP)
restricted website (http://www.icao.int/usoap) which is accessible by all Member States. You are invited
to consider using this for notification of compliance and differences.
9. Guidance on the determination and reporting of differences is given in the Note on the
Notification of Differences in Attachment D. Please note that a detailed repetition of previously notified
differences, if they continue to apply, may be avoided by stating the current validity of such differences.
10. I would appreciate it if you would also send a copy of your notifications, referred to in
paragraph 6 b) above, to the ICAO Regional Office accredited to your Government.
2
4 October 2021 for provisions indicating applicable as of 4 November 2021.
-3-
11. At the fifth meeting of its 204th Session, the Council requested that States, when being
advised of the adoption of an Annex amendment, be provided with information on implementation and
available guidance material, as well as an impact assessment. This is presented for your information in
Attachments E and F, respectively.
12. As soon as practicable after the amendment becomes effective, on 20 July 2020, a new
edition of Annex 3 incorporating Amendment 79 will be forwarded to you.
Accept, Sir/Madam, the assurances of my highest consideration.
Fang Liu
Secretary General
Enclosures:
A Amendment to the Foreword of Annex 3
B Form on notification of disapproval of all or part of
Amendment 79 to Annex 3
C Form on notification of compliance with or
differences from Annex 3, Amendment 79
D Note on the Notification of Differences
E Implementation task list and outline of guidance
material in relation to Amendment 79 to Annex 3
F Impact assessment in relation to Amendment 79 to
Annex 3
ATTACHMENT A to State letter AN 10/1.1-20/16
AMENDMENT TO THE FOREWORD OF ANNEX 3
Add the following at the end of Table A:
Adopted/Approved
Effective
Amendment Source(s) Subject Applicable
Fourth meeting of the SIGMET information concerning the
79 release of radioactive material in the 9 March 2020
Meteorology Panel
atmosphere; improved harmonization 20 July 2020
(METP/4)
of SIGMET information; space 5 November 2020
weather advisory information; routine 4 November 2021
observations at aerodromes
(METAR) information; tropical
cyclone advisory and related
SIGMET information; the ICAO
Meteorological Information
Exchange Model (IWXXM); the
international airways volcano watch
(IAVW); the world area forecast
system (WAFS); special air-reports
on turbulence; quality management
system; dissemination of AIRMET
and GAMET; and the inclusion of
heavy dust storms (HVY DS) in
special air-reports.
ATTACHMENT B to State letter AN 10/1.1-20/16
NOTIFICATION OF DISAPPROVAL OF ALL OR PART OF
AMENDMENT 79 TO ANNEX 3
To: The Secretary General
International Civil Aviation Organization
999 Robert-Bourassa Boulevard
Montreal, Quebec
Canada H3C 5H7
(State) ____________________________________ hereby wishes to disapprove the following parts of
Amendment 79 to Annex 3:
Signature ________________________________________ Date ____________________
NOTES
1) If you wish to disapprove all or part of Amendment 79 to Annex 3, please dispatch this
notification of disapproval to reach ICAO Headquarters by 20 July 2020. If it has not been
received by that date it will be assumed that you do not disapprove of the amendment. If you
approve of all parts of Amendment 79, it is not necessary to return this notification of
disapproval.
2) This notification should not be considered a notification of compliance with or differences from
Annex 3. Separate notifications on this are necessary. (See Attachment C.)
3) Please use extra sheets as required.
ATTACHMENT C to State letter AN 10/1.1-20/16
NOTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE WITH OR DIFFERENCES FROM ANNEX 3
(including all amendments up to and including Amendment 79)
To: The Secretary General
International Civil Aviation Organization
999 Robert-Bourassa Boulevard
Montreal, Quebec
Canada H3C 5H7
1. No differences will exist on _____________________________ between the national
regulations and/or practices of (State) ____________________________________ and the provisions
of Annex 3, including all amendments up to and including Amendment 79.
2. The following differences will exist on ______________________________ between the
regulations and/or practices of (State) ______________________________________ and the provisions
of Annex 3, including Amendment 79 (Please see Note 2) below.)
a) Annex Provision b) Details of Difference c) Remarks
(Please give exact (Please describe the difference (Please indicate reasons
paragraph reference) clearly and concisely) for the difference)
(Please use extra sheets as required)
C-2
3. By the dates indicated below, (State) ________________________________ will have complied
with the provisions of Annex 3, including all amendments up to and including Amendment 79 for which
differences have been notified in 2 above.
a) Annex Provision b) Date c) Comments
(Please give exact
paragraph reference)
(Please use extra sheets as required)
Signature ________________________________________ Date ____________________
NOTES
1) If paragraph 1 above is applicable to your State, please complete paragraph 1 and return this form to
ICAO Headquarters. If paragraph 2 is applicable to you, please complete paragraphs 2 and 3 and
return the form to ICAO Headquarters.
2) A detailed repetition of previously notified differences, if they continue to apply, may be avoided by
stating the current validity of such differences.
3) Guidance on the notification of differences is provided in the Note on the Notification of Differences
and in the Manual on Notification and Publication of Differences (Doc 10055).
4) Please send a copy of this notification to the ICAO Regional Office accredited to your Government.
ATTACHMENT D to State letter AN 10/1.1-20/16
NOTE ON THE NOTIFICATION OF DIFFERENCES
(Prepared and issued in accordance with instructions of the Council)
1. Introduction
1.1 Article 38 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation
a Contracting State notify ICAO any time it does not comply with a Standard in all respects, it does not
bring its regulations or practices into full accord with any Standard, or it adopts regulations or practices
differing in any particular respect from the Standard.
1.2 The Assembly and the Council, when reviewing the notification of differences by
Contracting States in compliance with Article 38 of the Convention, have repeatedly noted that the
timeliness and currency of such notifications is not entirely satisfactory. Therefore, this note is issued to
reiterate the primary purpose of Article 38 of the Convention and to facilitate the determination and
notification of differences.
1.3 The primary purpose of the notification of differences is to promote safety, regularity and
efficiency in air navigation by ensuring that governmental and other agencies, including operators
, concerned with international civil aviation are made aware of all national regulations
and practices in so far as they differ from those prescribed in the Standards contained in Annexes to the
Convention.
1.4 Contracting States are, therefore, requested to give particular attention to the notification
of differences with respect to Standards in all Annexes, as described in paragraph 4 b) 1) of the
Resolution of Adoption.
1.5 Although differences from Recommended Practices are not notifiable under Article 38 of
the Convention, the Assembly has urged Contracting States to extend the above considerations to
Recommended Practices contained in Annexes to the Convention, as well.
2. Notification of differences from Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs)
2.1 Guidance to Contracting States in the notification of differences to Standards and
Recommended Practices (SARPs) can only be given in very general terms. Contracting States are further
reminded that compliance with SARPs generally extends beyond the issuance of national regulations and
requires establishment of practical arrangements for implementation, such as the provision of facilities,
personnel and equipment and effective enforcement mechanisms. Contracting States should take those
elements into account when determining their compliance and differences. The following categories of
differences are provided as a guide in determining whether a notifiable difference exists
a) more exacting or exceeds a SARP
(Category A). This category applies when the national regulation and practices are
more demanding than the corresponding SARP, or impose an obligation within the
scope of the Annex which is not covered by the SARP. This is of particular
importance where a Contracting State requires a higher standard which affects the
operation of aircraft of other Contracting States in and above its territory;
D-2
b) different in character or the Contracting
State has established other means of compliance (Category B) . This category
applies, in particular, when the national regulation and practices are different in
character from the corresponding SARP, or when the national regulation and
practices differ in principle, type or system from the corresponding SARP, without
necessarily imposing an additional obligation; and
c) less protective, partially implemented or not
implemented (Category C). This category applies when the national regulation and
practices are less protective than the corresponding SARP; when no national
regulation has been promulgated to address the corresponding SARP, in whole or in
part; or when the Contracting State has not brought its practices into full accord with
the corresponding SARP.
These categories do not apply to Not Applicable SARP. Please see the paragraph below.
2.2 Not Applicable SARP.
2.3 Differences from appendices, tables and figures. The material comprising a SARP
includes not only the SARP itself, but also the appendices , tables and figures associated with the SARP.
Therefore, differences from appendices, tables and figures are notifiable under Article 38. In order to file
a difference against an appendix, table or figure, States should file a difference against the SARP that
makes reference to the appendix, table or figure.
2.4 Differences from definitions. Contracting States should notify differences from
definitions. The definition of a term used in a SARP does not have independent status but is an essential
part of each SARP in which the term is used. Therefore, a difference from the definition of the term may
result in there being a difference from any SARP in which the term is used. To this end, Contracting
States should take into consideration differences from definitions when determining compliance or
differences to SARPs in which the terms are used.
2.5 The notification of differences should be not only to the latest amendment but to the
whole Annex, including the amendment. In other words, Contracting States that have already notified
differences are requested to provide regular updates of the differences previously notified until the
difference no longer exists.
2.6 Further guidance on the identification and notification of differences, examples of
well-defined differences and examples of model processes and procedures for management of the
and practice which achieve, by other means, the same objective as that of the corresponding SARPs or for other
substantive reasons so cannot be classified under a) or c).
D-3
notification of differences can be found in the Manual on Notification and Publication of Differences
(Doc 10055).
3. Form of notification of differences
3.1 Differences can be notified:
a) by sending to ICAO Headquarters a form on notification of compliance or
differences; or
b) through the Electronic Filing of Differences (EFOD) System at www.icao.int/usoap.
3.2 When notifying differences, the following information should be provided:
a) the number of the paragraph or subparagraph which contains the SARP to which the
difference relates ;
b) the reasons why the State does not comply with the SARP, or considers it necessary
to adopt different regulations or practices;
c) a clear and concise description of the difference; and
d) intentions for future compliance and any date by which your Government plans to
confirm compliance with and remove its difference from the SARP for which the
difference has been notified.
3.3 The differences notified will be made available to other Contracting States, normally in
the terms used by the Contracting State when making the notification. In the interest of making the
information as useful as possible, Contracting States are requested to ensure that:
a) statements be as clear and concise as possible and be confined to essential points;
b) the provision of extracts from national regulations not be considered as sufficient to
satisfy the obligation to notify differences; and
c) general comments, unclear acronyms and references be avoided.
This applies only when the notification is made under 3.1 a).
ATTACHMENT E to State letter AN 10/1.1-20/16
IMPLEMENTATION TASK LIST AND OUTLINE OF GUIDANCE
MATERIAL IN RELATION TO AMENDMENT 79 TO ANNEX 3
1. IMPLEMENTATION TASK LIST
1.1 Essential steps to be followed by a State in order to implement Amendment 79 to
Annex 3:
a) identification of the rule-making process necessary to transpose the new and
modified ICAO provisions into the national regulation;
b) establishment of a national implementation plan that takes into consideration the new
and modified provisions;
c) drafting of the amendment(s) to the national requirements and means of compliance;
d) filing of State differences with ICAO, if necessary;
e) development of software modifications for disseminating METAR/SPECI, TAF,
SIGMET, AIRMET, volcanic ash advisories; tropical cyclone advisories in digital
form and for the improved world area forecast system (WAFS) forecasts;
f) training of operational staff in the provision and use of new information;
g) testing of software encoding, decoding and the communications infrastructure for the
exchange of digital information both nationally and as part of the global exchange
within regional requirements; and
h) operational acceptance of software changes.
2. STANDARDIZATION PROCESS
2.1 Effective date: 20 July 2020
2.2 Applicability date: 5 November 2020, except for provisions related to the dissemination
of significant weather (SIGWX) forecasts in IWXXM GML form, which are indicated as
4 November 2021.
2.3 Embedded date(s): N/A.
E-2
3. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
3.1 ICAO documentation
Type Planned
Title
(PANS/TI/Manual/Circ) publication date
Manual on Aeronautical Meteorological Manual Q1 2020
Practice (Doc 8896)
Manual on the ICAO Meteorological Manual Published
Information Exchange Model (IWXXM)
(Doc 10003)
Manual on Space Weather Information Manual Published
(Doc 10100)
3.2 External documentation
External
Title Publication date
Organization
Manual on Codes (WMO-No. 306) WMO November 2018
WMO-N0. 1100, Guide to the Implementation WMO 2017
of Quality Management Systems for National
Meteorological and Hydrological Services and
other Relevant Service Providers
4. IMPLEMENTATION ASSISTANCE TASKS
Type Global Regional
Workshops IWXXM for ICAO Regions.
5. UNIVERSAL SAFETY OVERSIGHT AUDIT
PROGRAMME (USOAP)
5.1 Existing protocol questions (PQs) may need amendment or new PQs may be required.
This will be assessed during the next amendment cycle of the protocol questions.
ATTACHMENT F to State letter AN 10/1.1-20/16
IMPACT ASSESSMENT IN RELATION TO AMENDMENT 79 TO
ANNEX 3
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Amendment 79 to Annex 3 is intended to:
a) introduce changes to provisions for volcanic ash information to facilitate the
reporting of volcanic ash in cases of re-suspended volcanic ash events;
b) facilitate access to references concerning guidance material on quality
management system;
c) introduce SIGMET coordination as a recommended practice to improve the
harmonization of SIGMET information;
d) improve the representation of the location and extent of volcanic ash clouds;
e) improve the world area forecast system (WAFS) forecasts by increased horizontal
and vertical spatial resolution of the hazard grids for turbulence, icing and
cumulonimbus (CB) cloud forecasts;
f) improve the tropical cyclone (TC) SIGMET and TC advisory messages to prevent
user misinterpretation and to improve the validation and the translation of these
messages from traditional alphanumerical codes (TAC) into the ICAO
Meteorological Information Exchange Model (IWXXM);
g) improve space weather advisory information services to allow for more than one
space weather with the same intensity to be combined in one space weather advisory
and to describe all space weather effects using latitude bands;
h) update the values of eddy dissipation rate (EDR) to improve the reporting aircraft
turbulence;
i) ensure that IWXXM schema can easily indicate missing and/or incorrect mandatory
parameters in METAR in TAC form to avoid failures in the validation process once
translated from TAC into IWXXM;
j) allow area forecasts for low level flights to be transmitted to Secure Aviation Data
Information Service (SADIS) and WAFS Information File Service (WIFS) benefiting
SADIS and WIFS users around the world;
k) simplify existing requirements concerning radioactive cloud (RDOACT CLD)
SIGMET and AIRMET messages for consistency purposes;
l) include the reporting of heavy dust storms (HVY DS) in special air reports and to
align the format and content of Special Air-reports (AIREP) in Annex 3 and the
Procedures for Air Navigation Services Air Traffic Management (PANS-ATM,
Doc 4444); and
F-2
m) introduce some minor changes to Annex 3 to facilitate the exchange of IWXXM,
over the aeronautical fixed telecommunication network (AFTN).
2. IMPACT ASSESSMENT
2.1 Safety impact: The safety of aircraft operations is enhanced with access to improved
information on current and expected atmospheric conditions. Improved information on space weather
events that may affect communications, navigation and surveillance systems utilized by the aviation
industry, improved world area forecast system (WAFS) forecasts and the integration of meteorological
information to the system-wide information management environment will lead to improved decision-
making, particularly in the planning phase.
2.2 Financial impact: For States and industry, these proposals are integral to the global effort
in civil aviation safety and efficiency and they lay the foundation for more effective provision and use of
more extensive and detailed meteorological information. The cost for States to continue the
implementation of IWXXM provisions will increase, depending on their prevailing capabilities. The other
components of this amendment do not have significant financial implications. For the Industry, some
limited costs associated with software changes can be expected to accommodate new and modified
information requirements. Significant efficiencies, however, would be expected through the operational
use of the new information provided on space weather, through the improved world area forecast system
(WAFS) forecasts and through the integration of meteorological information to the system-wide
information management environment. Efficiency and safety enhancements will also reduce costs.
2.3 Security impact: No security impact with the implementation of this amendment.
2.4 Environmental impact: More precise planning for mitigation of hazardous meteorological
conditions, as well as space weather, produces safer and more efficient routes, less fuel burn, and
reduction of emissions due to fewer ground hold/delay actions and environmentally optimized routing.
2.5 Efficiency impact: The efficiency of aircraft operations is enhanced with more timely
access to and incorporation of digital meteorological information in flight planning, flow management
and aircraft management. Improved information about space weather events will improve route selection
and fuel-loading decisions and minimize the need for rerouting flights due to the potential impacts of
space weather events.
2.6 Expected implementation time: The expected implementation date of 4 November 2021
for the element concerning the provisions related to the dissemination of significant weather (SIGWX)
forecasts in IWXXM GML form are intended to enable WMO to develop the supporting data models and
to allow sufficient time for full implementation by States.
END
-
AMENDMENT 79 TO THE INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS AND
RECOMMENDED PRACTICES
ANNEX 3 METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE FOR INTERNATIONAL AIR NAVIGATION
RESOLUTION OF ADOPTION
The Council
Acting in accordance with the Convention on International Civil Aviation, and particularly with the
provisions of Articles 37, 54 and 90 thereof,
1. Hereby adopts on 9 March 2020 Amendment 79 to the International Standards and
Recommended Practices contained in the document entitled International Standards and Recommended
Practices, Meteorological Service for International Air Navigation which for convenience is designated
Annex 3 to the Convention;
2. Prescribes 20 July 2020 as the date upon which the said amendment shall become effective,
except for any part thereof in respect of which a majority of the Contracting States have registered their
disapproval with the council before that date;
3. Resolves that the said amendment or such parts thereof as have become effective shall become
applicable on 5 November 20201;
4. Requests the Secretary General:
a) to notify each Contracting State immediately of the above action and immediately after
20 July 2020 of those parts of the amendment which have become effective;
b) to request each Contracting State:
1) to notify the Organization (in accordance with the obligation imposed by Article 38 of the
Convention) of the differences that will exist on 5 November 20201 between its national
regulations or practices and the provisions of the Standards in the Annex as hereby
amended, such notification to be made before 5 October 20202, and thereafter to notify
the Organization of any further differences that arise;
2) to notify the Organization before 5 October 20202 of the date or dates by which it will
have complied with the provisions of the Standards in the Annex as hereby amended;
c) to invite each Contracting State to notify additionally any differences between its own
practices and those established by the Recommended Practices, when the notification of such
differences is important for the safety of air navigation, following the procedure specified in
subparagraph b) above with respect to differences from Standards.
1
4 November 2021 for provisions related to the dissemination of significant weather (SIGWX) forecasts in IWXXM GML form.
2
4 October 2021 for provisions related to the dissemination of significant weather (SIGWX) forecasts in IWXXM GML form.
3
NOTES ON THE PRESENTATION OF THE
AMENDMENT 79 TO ANNEX 3
1. The text of the amendment is arranged to show deleted text with a line through it and new text
highlighted with grey shading, as shown below:
1. Text to be deleted is shown with a line through it. text to be deleted
2. New text to be inserted is highlighted with grey shading. new text to be inserted
3. Text to be deleted is shown with a line through it new text to replace existing text
followed by the replacement text which is highlighted
with grey shading.
2. The source of the amendment to Annex 3 arises from the fourth meeting of the Meteorology
Panel (METP/4).
4
TEXT OF AMENDMENT 79
TO THE
INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS
AND RECOMMENDED PRACTICES
METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE
FOR INTERNATIONAL AIR NAVIGATION
ANNEX 3
TO THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION
Editorial Note. Amend, throughout Annex 3, the title of Doc 10003 to read: Manual on the ICAO
Meteorological Information Exchange Model (IWXXM) (Doc 10003)
...
PART I
CORE SARPs
CHAPTER 1. DEFINITIONS
1.1 Definitions
...
Volcanic ash advisory centre (VAAC). A meteorological centre designated by regional air navigation
agreement to provide advisory information to meteorological watch offices, area control centres,
flight information centres, world area forecast centres and international OPMET databanks regarding
the lateral and vertical extent and forecast movement of volcanic ash in the atmosphere following
volcanic eruptions.
...
CHAPTER 2. GENERAL PROVISIONS
...
2.2 Supply, use, quality management and interpretation
of meteorological information
...
2.2.3 Recommendation. The quality system established in accordance with 2.2.2 should be
in conformity with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9000 series of quality
assurance standards and should be certified by an approved organization.
Note. The ISO 9000 series of quality assurance standards provide a basic framework for the
development of a quality assurance programme. The details of a successful programme are to be
5
formulated by each State and in most cases are unique to the State organization. Guidance on the
establishment and implementation of a quality management systems is given in the Manual on the Quality
Management System for the Provision of Meteorological Service for International Air Navigation
(Doc 9873)Guide to the Implementation of Quality Management Systems for National Meteorological
and Hydrological Services and Other Relevant Service Providers (WMO-No. 1100).
...
CHAPTER 3. GLOBAL SYSTEMS, SUPPORTING CENTRES
AND METEOROLOGICAL OFFICES
...
Insert new text as follows:
3.4.4 Recommendation. An MWO should coordinate SIGMET with neighbouring MWO(s),
especially when the en-route weather phenomenon extends or is expected to extend beyond
specified area of responsibility, in order to ensure harmonized SIGMET provision.
Note. Guidance on the bilateral or multilateral coordination between MWOs of Contracting
States for the provision of SIGMET can be found in the Manual of Aeronautical Meteorological Practice
(Doc 8896).
End of new text.
...
3.7 Tropical cyclone advisory centres
A Contracting State having accepted the responsibility for providing a tropical cyclone advisory centre
(TCAC) shall arrange for that centre to:
a) monitor the development of tropical cyclones in its area of responsibility, using geostationary and
polar-orbiting satellite data, radar data and other meteorological information;
b) issue advisory information concerning the position of the cyclone centre, changes in intensity at
time of observation, its direction and speed of movement, central pressure and maximum surface
wind near the centre, in abbreviated plain language to:
...
PART II
APPENDICES AND ATTACHMENTS
APPENDIX 1. FLIGHT DOCUMENTATION
MODEL CHARTS AND FORMS
(See Chapter 9 of this Annex.)
...
MODEL TCG Tropical cyclone advisory information in graphical format
6
MODEL VAG Volcanic ash advisory information in graphical format
Example 1. Mercator projection
Example 2. Polar stereographic projection
MODEL STC SIGMET for tropical cyclone in graphical format
MODEL SVA SIGMET for volcanic ash in graphical format
Example 1. Mercator projection
Example 2. Polar stereographic projection
MODEL SGE SIGMET for phenomena other than tropical cyclone and volcanic ash in graphical
format
MODEL SN Sheet of notations used in flight documentation
...
Editorial Note. Replace the existing MODEL VAG example in toto by the following two new
examples.
VOLCANIC ASH ADVISORY INFORMATION IN GRAPHICAL FORMAT MODEL VAG
Example 1. Mercator projection
7
VOLCANIC ASH ADVISORY INFORMATION IN GRAPHICAL FORMAT MODEL VAG
Example 2. Polar stereographic projection
...
8
Editorial Note. Replace the existing MODEL SVA example in toto by the following two new
examples.
SIGMET FOR VOLCANIC ASH IN GRAPHICAL FORMAT MODEL SVA
Example 1. Mercator projection
9
SIGMET FOR VOLCANIC ASH IN GRAPHICAL FORMAT MODEL SVA
Example2. Polar stereographic projection
...
APPENDIX 2. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS RELATED TO
GLOBAL SYSTEMS, SUPPORTING CENTRES AND
METEOROLOGICAL OFFICES
(See Chapter 3 of this Annex.)
1. WORLD AREA FORECAST SYSTEM
1.1 Formats and codes
...
1.2 Upper-air gridded forecasts
1.2.1 The forecasts of upper winds; upper-air temperature; and humidity; direction, speed and flight
level of maximum wind; flight level and temperature of tropopause, areas of cumulonimbus clouds, icing,
clear-air and in-cloud turbulence, and geopotential altitude of flight levels shall be prepared four times a
10
day by a WAFC and shall be valid for fixed valid times at 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33 and 36 hours
after the time (0000, 0600, 1200 and 1800 UTC) of the synoptic data on which the forecasts were based.
The dissemination of eEach forecast shall be in the above order and shall be completed disseminated as
soon as technically feasible but not later than 6 5 hours after standard time of observation.
1.2.2 The grid point forecasts prepared by a WAFC shall comprise:
a) wind and temperature data for flight levels 50 (850 hPa), 80 (750 hPa), 100 (700 hPa), 140 (600
hPa), 180 (500 hPa), 210 (450 hPa), 240 (400 hPa), 270 (350 hPa), 300 (300 hPa), 320 (275 hPa),
340 (250 hPa), 360 (225 hPa), 390 (200 hPa), 410 (175 hPa), 450 (150 hPa), 480 (125 hPa) and
530 (100 hPa);
b) flight level and temperature of tropopause;
c) direction, speed and flight level of maximum wind;
d) humidity data for flight levels 50 (850 hPa), 80 (750 hPa), 100 (700 hPa), 140 (600 hPa) and
180 (500 hPa);
e) horizontal extent and flight levels of base and top of cumulonimbus clouds;
f) icing for layers centred at flight levels 60 (800 hPa), 100 (700 hPa), 140 (600 hPa), 180 (500
hPa), 240 (400 hPa) and 300 (300 hPa);
Note. Layers centred at a flight level referred to in f) have a depth of 100 hPa.
g) clear-air turbulence for layers centred at flight levels 100 (700 hPa), 140 (600 hPa), 180 (500
hPa), 240 (400 hPa), 270 (350 hPa), 300 (300 hPa), 340 (250 hPa), 390 (200 hPa) and 450 (150
hPa); and
h) in-cloud turbulence for layers centred at flight levels 100 (700 hPa), 140 (600 hPa), 180 (500
hPa), 240 (400 hPa) and 300 (300 hPa); and
Note 1. Layers centred at a flight level referred to in f) and h) have a depth of 100 hPa.
Note21. Layers centred at a flight level referred to in g) have a depth of 100 hPa for flight
levels below 240, then 50 hPa for flight levels 240 and above.
Note 2. Turbulence referred to in g) above encompasses all types of turbulence, including
clear-air and in-cloud turbulence.
hi) geopotential altitude data for flight levels 50 (850 hPa), 80 (750 hPa), 100 (700 hPa), 140 (600
hPa), 180 (500 hPa), 210 (450 hPa), 240 (400 hPa), 270 (350 hPa), 300 (300 hPa), 320 (275 hPa),
340 (250 hPa), 360 (225 hPa), 390 (200 hPa), 410 (175 hPa), 450 (150 hPa), 480 (125 hPa) and
530 (100 hPa).
Note. The exact pressure levels (hPa) for a), d), f), g), and h) are provided in the Manual of
Aeronautical Meteorological Practice (Doc 8896).
1.2.3 The foregoing grid point forecasts shall be issued by a WAFC in binary code form using the
GRIB code form prescribed by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
11
Note. The GRIB code form is contained in the Manual on Codes (WMO-No. 306), Volume I.2, Part
B Binary Codes.
1.2.4 The foregoing grid point forecasts a), b), c), d) and h) shall be prepared by a WAFC in a
regular grid with a horizontal resolution of
1.2.5 The foregoing grid point forecasts e), f) and g) shall be prepared by a WAFC in a regular grid
.
1.3 Significant weather (SIGWX) forecasts
1.3.1 General provisions
1.3.1.1 Forecasts of significant en-route weather phenomena shall be prepared as SIGWX forecasts
four times a day by a WAFC and shall be valid for fixed valid times at 24 hours after the time (0000,
0600, 1200 and 1800 UTC) of the synoptic data on which the forecasts were based. The dissemination of
eEach forecast shall be completed disseminated as soon as technically feasible but not later than 9 7 hours
after standard time of observation under normal operations and not later than 9 hours after standard time
of observation during backup operations.
1.3.1.2 SIGWX forecasts shall be issued in binary code form using the BUFR code form prescribed
by WMO.
Note. The BUFR code form is contained in the Manual on Codes (WMO-No. 306), Volume I.2,
Part B Binary Codes.
1.3.1.3 Recommendation. As of 4 November 2021, in addition to 1.3.1.2, SIGWX forecasts
should be disseminated in IWXXM GML form.
Note 1. Guidance on the implementation of IWXXM is provided in the Manual on the ICAO
Meteorological Information Exchange Model (IWXXM) (Doc 10003).
Note 2. Geography markup language (GML) is an encoding standard of the Open Geospatial
Consortium (OGC).
Editorial Note. A similar Note concerning GML will be inserted after Notes following: Appendix 2,
3.1.2, 5.1.3, and 6.1.2; Appendix 3, 2.1.3; Appendix 5, 1.1.2; Appendix 6, 1.1.6 and
2.1.6; and Appendix 8, 2.2.2.
...
2. AERODROME METEOROLOGICAL OFFICES
2.1 Use of world area forecast system (WAFS) products
...
2.1.2 In order to ensure uniformity and standardization of flight documentation, the WAFS GRIB
12
and BUFR data received and, as of 4 November 2021, IWXXM data received, shall be decoded into
standard WAFS charts in accordance with relevant provisions in this Annex, and the meteorological
content and identification of the originator of the WAFS forecasts shall not be amended
2.2 Notification of WAFC concerning significant discrepancies
Aerodrome meteorological offices using WAFS BUFR or, as of 4 November 2021, IWXXM data shall
notify the WAFC concerned immediately if significant discrepancies are detected or reported in respect of
WAFS SIGWX forecasts concerning:
...
Table A2-1. Template for advisory message for volcanic ash
Key: M = inclusion mandatory, part of every message;
O = inclusion optional;
C = inclusion conditional, included whenever applicable;
= = a double line indicates that the text following it should be placed on the subsequent
line.
Note 1. The ranges and resolutions for the numerical elements included in advisory messages for
volcanic ash are shown in Appendix 6, Table A6-4.
Note 2. The explanations for the abbreviations can be found in the Procedures for Air Navigation
Services ICAO Abbreviations and Codes (PANS-ABC, Doc 8400).
Note 3. Inclusion of a colon after each element heading is mandatory.
Note 4. The numbers 1 to 19 are included only for clarity and are not part of the advisory message,
as shown in the example.
13
Notes.
...
6. To be included (as free text) only for those situations where volcanic ash has been re-suspended.
7. To be included (as free text) where space in the remarks section allows.
Example A2-1. Advisory message for volcanic ash
VA ADVISORY
DTG: 20080923/0130Z
VAAC: TOKYO
VOLCANO: KARYMSKY 1000-13
PSN: N5403 E15927
AREA: RUSSIA
SUMMIT ELEV: 1536M
ADVISORY NR: 2008/4
INFO SOURCE: MTSAT-1R KVERT KEMSD
14
Table A2-2. Template for advisory message for tropical cyclones
Key: M = inclusion mandatory, part of every message;
C = inclusion conditional, included whenever applicable;
O = inclusion optional;
= = a double line indicates that the text following it should be placed on the
subsequent line.
...
Editorial Note Renumber subsequent Elements
...
Example A2-2. Advisory message for tropical cyclones
TC ADVISORY
DTG: 20040925/1900Z
TCAC: YUFO*
TC: GLORIA
ADVISORY NR: 2004/13
OBS PSN: 25/1800Z N2706 W07306
CB: WI 250NM OF TC CENTRE TOP FL500
MOV: NW 20KMH
INTST CHANGE: INTSF
C: 965HPA
15
MAX WIND: 252MPS
FCST PSN +6 HR: 25/2200Z N2748 W07350
FCST MAX WIND +6 HR: 22MPS
FCST PSN +12 HR: 26/0400Z N2830 W07430
FCST MAX WIND +12 HR: 22MPS
FCST PSN +18 HR: 26/1000Z N2852 W07500
FCST MAX WIND +18 HR: 21MPS
FCST PSN +24 HR: 26/1600Z N2912 W07530
FCST MAX WIND +24 HR: 20MPS
RMK: NIL
NXT MSG: 20040925/2000Z
*Ficticious location
Table A2-3. Template for advisory message for space weather information
...
16
17
...
18
APPENDIX 3. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS RELATED TO
METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS AND REPORTS
(See Chapter 4 of this Annex.)
...
Table A3-2. Template for METAR and SPECI
(Until 4 November 2020)
...
Table A3-2. Template for METAR and SPECI
(As of 5 November 2020)
...
19
20
...
21
APPENDIX 4. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS RELATED TO
AIRCRAFT OBSERVATIONS AND REPORTS
(See Chapter 5 of this Annex.)
...
2.6 Turbulence
The turbulence shall be reported in terms of the cube root of the eddy dissipation rate (EDR).
Note. The EDR is an aircraft-independent measure of turbulence. However, the relationship
between the EDR value and the perception of turbulence is a function of aircraft type, and the mass,
altitude, configuration and airspeed of the aircraft. The EDR values given below describe the severity
levels for a medium-sized transport aircraft under typical en-route conditions (i.e. altitude, airspeed and
weight).
2.6.1 Routine air-reports
The turbulence shall be reported during the en-route phase of the flight and shall refer to the 15-minute
period immediately preceding the observation. Both the average and peak value of turbulence, together
with the time of occurrence of the peak value to the nearest minute, shall be observed. The average and
peak values shall be reported in terms of the cube root of EDR. The time of occurrence of the peak value
shall be reported as indicated in Table A4-2. The turbulence shall be reported during the climb-out phase
for the first 10 minutes of the flight and shall refer to the 30-second period immediately preceding the
observation. The peak value of turbulence shall be observed.
2.6.2 Interpretation of the turbulence report
Turbulence shall be considered:
a) severe when the peak value of the cube root of EDR equals or exceeds 0.70.45;
b) moderate when the peak value of the cube root of EDR is equal to or above 0.40.20 and below or
equal to 0.70.45;
c) light when the peak value of the cube root of EDR is above 0.10 and below or equal to 0.40.20;
and
d) nil when the peak value of the cube root of EDR is below or equal to 0.10.
Note. The EDR is an aircraft-independent measure of turbulence. However, the relationship
between the EDR value and the perception of turbulence is a function of aircraft type, and the mass,
altitude, configuration and airspeed of the aircraft. The EDR values given above describe the severity
levels for a medium-sized transport aircraft under typical en-route conditions (i.e. altitude, airspeed and
weight).
22
2.6.3 Special air-reports
Special air-reports on turbulence shall be made during any phase of the flight whenever the peak value of
the cube root of EDR equals or exceeds 0.40.20. The special air-report on turbulence shall be made with
reference to the 1-minute period immediately preceding the observation. Both the average and peak value
of turbulence shall be observed. The average and peak values shall be reported in terms of the cube root
of EDR. Special air-reports shall be issued every minute until such time as the peak values of the cube
root of EDR fall below 0.40.20.
...
Table A4-1. Template for the special air-report (downlink)
Key: M = inclusion mandatory, part of every message;
C = inclusion conditional; included whenever available.
Note. Message to be prompted by the pilot-in-
2.6.3).
...
23
APPENDIX 5. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
RELATED TO FORECASTS
(See Chapter 6 of this Annex.)
...
4.4 Exchange and dissemination of area forecasts for low-level flights
4.4.1 Area forecasts for low-level flights prepared in support of the issuance of AIRMET
information shall be exchanged between aerodrome meteorological offices and/or meteorological watch
offices responsible for the issuance of flight documentation for low-level flights in the flight information
regions concerned.
4.4.2 Recommendation. Area forecasts for low-level flights, in support of international air
navigation, prepared in accordance with regional air navigation agreement and in support of the
issuance of AIRMET information should be disseminated to the aeronautical fixed service Internet-based
services.
...
APPENDIX 6. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS RELATED TO
SIGMET AND AIRMET INFORMATION, AERODROME WARNINGS
AND WIND SHEAR WARNINGS AND ALERTS
(See Chapter 7 of this Annex.)
...
4.2 Criteria related to phenomena included in
SIGMET and AIRMET messages and special air-reports (uplink)
...
4.2.6 Turbulence shall be considered:
a) severe whenever the peak value of the cube root of EDR equals or exceeds 0.70.45; and
b) moderate when the peak value of the cube root of EDR is equal to or above 0.40.20 and below or
equal to 0.70.45.
...
24
Table A6-1A. Template for SIGMET and AIRMET messages
Key: M = inclusion mandatory, part of every message;
C = inclusion conditional, included whenever applicable;
= = a double line indicates that the text following it should be placed on the
subsequent line.
Note 1. The ranges and resolutions for the numerical elements included in SIGMET/AIRMET
messages are shown in Table A6-4 of this appendix.
Note 2. In accordance with 1.1.5 and 2.1.5, severe or moderate icing and severe or moderate
turbulence (SEV ICE, MOD ICE, SEV TURB, MOD TURB) associated with thunderstorms,
cumulonimbus clouds or tropical cyclones should not be included.
25
Applicable as of 7 November 2019
26
27
Applicable as of 7 November 2019
28
29
...
Table A6-1B. Template for special air-reports (uplink)
Key: M = inclusion mandatory, part of every message;
C = inclusion conditional, included whenever applicable;
= = a double line indicates that the text following it should be placed on the
subsequent line.
Note. The ranges and resolutions for the numerical elements included in special air-reports are
shown in Table A6-4 of this appendix.
30
...
Example A6-4. SIGMET message for radioactive cloud
YUCC SIGMET 2 VALID 201200/201600 YUDO
YUCC AMSWELL FIR RDOACT CLD OBS AT 1155Z WI 30KM OF N6030 E02550 SFC/FL550 STNR
S5000 W14000 S5000 W13800 S5200 W13800 S5200 W14000 S5000 W14000 SFC/FL100 WKN
FCST AT 1600Z WI S5200 W14000 S5200 W13800 S5300 W13800 S5300 W14000 S5200
W14000
Meaning:
The second SIGMET message issued for the AMSWELL* flight information region (identified by
YUCC Amswell area control centre) by the Donlon/International* meteorological watch office (YUDO)
since 0001 UTC; the message is valid from 1200 UTC to 1600 UTC on the 20th of the month;
radioactive cloud was observed at 1155 UTC within 30 kilometres of 60 degrees 30 minutes north 25
degrees 50 minutes east between the surface and flight level 550. The radioactive cloud is stationaryan
area bounded by 50 degrees 0 minutes south 140 degrees 0 minutes west to 50 degrees 0 minutes south
138 degrees 0 minutes west to 52 degrees 0 minutes south 138 degrees 0 minutes west to 52 degrees 0
minutes south 140 degrees 0 minutes west to 50 degrees 0 minutes south 140 degrees 0 minutes west
and between the surface and flight level 100; the radioactive cloud is expected to weaken in intensity; at
1600 UTC the radioactive cloud is forecast to be located within an area bounded by 52 degrees 0
minutes south 140 degrees 0 minutes west to 52 degrees 0 minutes south 138 degrees 0 minutes west to
53 degrees 0 minutes south 138 degrees 0 minutes west to 53 degrees 0 minutes south 140 degrees 0
minutes west to 52 degrees 0 minutes south 140 degrees 0 minutes west.
* Fictitious location
...
31
APPENDIX 8. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
RELATED TO SERVICE FOR OPERATORS
AND FLIGHT CREW MEMBERS
(See Chapter 9 of this Annex.)
...
2. SPECIFICATIONS RELATED TO INFORMATION FOR
PRE-FLIGHT PLANNING AND IN-FLIGHT REPLANNING
...
2.2 Format of information on significant weather
2.2.1 Information on significant weather supplied by WAFCs for pre-flight planning and in-flight
replanning shall be in the BUFR code form.
Note. The BUFR code form is contained in the Manual on Codes (WMO-No. 306), Volume I.2, Part
B Binary Codes.
2.2.2 Recommendation. As of 4 November 2021, in addition to 2.2.1, information on significant
weather supplied by WAFCs for pre-flight planning and in-flight replanning should be in IWXXM GML
form.
Note 1. Guidance on the implementation of IWXXM is provided in the Manual on the ICAO
Meteorological Information Exchange Model (IWXXM) (Doc 10003).
Note 2. Geography markup language (GML) is an encoding standard of the Open Geospatial
Consortium (OGC).
...
4.2 Charts in flight documentation
4.2.1 Characteristics of charts
4.2.1.1 Recommendation. Charts included in flight documentation should have a high standard
of clarity and legibility and should have the following physical characteristics:
...
g) labels on the charts for flight documentation should be clear and simple and should present the
name of the world area forecast centre or, for non-world area forecast system (WAFS) products,
the originating centre, the type of chart, date and valid time and, if necessary, the types of units
used in an unambiguous way.
Note. When plotting shapes, particularly polygons, on maps, appropriate corrections
are necessary if plotted on projections different to that used in the production of the original forecast
area.
32
...
APPENDIX 10. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS RELATED TO
REQUIREMENTS FOR AND USE OF COMMUNICATIONS
(See Chapter 11 of this Annex.)
1. SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR COMMUNICATIONS
1.1 Required transit times of operational meteorological information
AFTN mMessages and bulletins containing operational meteorological information shall achieve transit
times of less than 5 minutes, unless otherwise determined to be lower by regional air navigation
agreement.
...
2.1.4 StructureTransmission of bulletins containing operational meteorological information
Meteorological bulletins containing operational meteorological information toshall be transmitted via the
AFTNaeronautical fixed service (AFS) shall be encapsulated in the text part of the AFTN message
format.
...
ATTACHMENT E. SPATIAL RANGES
AND RESOLUTIONS FOR SPACE WEATHER
ADVISORY INFORMATION
(See Appendix 2, 6.1 of this Annex.)
Element to be forecast Range Resolution
Flight level affected by radiation 250 600 310
Longitudes for advisories (degrees) 000 180 15
Latitudes for advisories (degrees) 00 90 10
...
END
Saatja: Moonika Käst <
[email protected]>
Saadetud: 15.04.2020 12:56
Adressaat: 'Tiina Josepson' <
[email protected]>; 'Natalia Verbenko'
<
[email protected]>
Teema: Adoption of Amendment 79 to Annex 3
Manused: Adoption of Amendment 79 to Annex 3.pdf
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