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FAA-H-8083-28A

Aviation Weather Handbook (AWH)

The Aviation Weather Handbook (FAA-H-8083-28A) is a free FAA publication that replaced the older Aviation Weather (AC 00-6) and Aviation Weather Services (AC 00-45) advisories. It is the definitive guide to aviation weather, covering the atmosphere, weather systems, hazards like thunderstorms and icing, and how to interpret METARs, TAFs, and other weather products. Download it at no cost from FAA.gov.

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Why This Document Matters

Weather is the leading cause of general aviation accidents, and understanding it is critical for safe flight. The Aviation Weather Handbook consolidates everything a pilot needs to know about weather into a single reference. It covers atmospheric theory, cloud formation, frontal systems, thunderstorms, icing, fog, turbulence, and weather services. The handbook is particularly important for instrument pilots who must make go/no-go decisions based on weather products. Knowledge test questions on weather are drawn directly from this handbook, making it essential study material for every certificate level.

Study This Document in One Loop

What is the Study Loop?

A 30-60 minute scenario-first session that replaces hours of passive reading.

Stage 1

Scenario

You're planning a 2-hour VFR cross-country for 9 AM tomorrow. The morning TAF shows VFR, but a cold front is forecast to pass through the destination airport around 11 AM. The current METAR shows a temperature/dewpoint spread of 3°C and winds 210° at 8. Your passenger is already packed.
Stage 2

Decision

Go, no-go, or depart earlier? What hazards do you expect before vs. after front passage? Which weather product would change your mind?
Write your answer before you open the handbook. That exposes the gap.
Stage 3

Targeted Learning

Open only these sections of the AWH:

  • Chapters 10-11 — Air Masses and Fronts (cold front timing, wind shift, weather before/after passage)
  • Chapters 12-14 — Weather Hazards (thunderstorms associated with fast-moving cold fronts, wind shear)
  • Chapter 7-9 — Moisture and Stability (why small T/Td spread + cooling = fog or low stratus)
  • Chapters 17-19 — Weather Products (TAF amendments, AIRMET Sierra/Tango, PIREPs, convective SIGMETs)
Stage 4

Debrief

Compare your Decision to what the handbook says:

  • ?Did you check the TAF amendment history, or just the current one? Fronts get amended.
  • ?A 3°C spread with cooling overnight — what happens to the ceiling? Is fog on your radar?
  • ?Cold front passage: wind shift which direction? What visibility/ceiling change do you expect?
  • ?What single weather product would turn your "go" into a "no-go"? If you cannot name one, you do not have a go/no-go criterion.
Stage 5

Reinforcement

Turn your biggest miss into fast-recall rules:

  • Cold front = fast-moving, unstable, narrow band of thunderstorms, abrupt wind shift (usually to the northwest in the US), rapid clearing behind.
  • Temperature/dewpoint convergence = fog or low stratus risk. Spread closes ~4°F per hour of cooling.
  • If the TAF has TEMPO or PROB30 for thunderstorms in your window, that is the forecaster telling you "I am not sure when, but expect it."

What Order to Read the AWH

Don't read by chapter number. Work the four phases. Start with whichever you're weakest in.

Survival Thinking

“What can hurt me?”

  • •Chapter 12 — Thunderstorms (avoid by 20 NM, never try to climb over, escape downwind)
  • •Chapter 13 — Icing (structural, induction, carburetor — know where it forms and what to do)
  • •Chapter 14 — Turbulence and Wind Shear (microbursts, mountain wave, low-level wind shear)

Interpretation

“What am I looking at?”

  • •Chapter 17 — METAR decoding (read it fluently, not painfully)
  • •Chapter 18 — TAF interpretation (FM, BECMG, TEMPO, PROB30 — what each means for your planning)
  • •Chapter 19 — PIREPs, AIRMETs, SIGMETs (the briefs that describe actual vs. forecast conditions)

Prediction

“What will happen?”

  • •Chapters 4-6 — Wind and Pressure Systems (why the wind is doing what it is doing)
  • •Chapters 7-9 — Moisture, Clouds, and Stability (what the sky is about to do)
  • •Chapters 10-11 — Air Masses and Fronts (what will arrive in the next 6 hours)

Checkride Mode

“Can I explain it under pressure?”

  • •Explain a standard weather briefing vs. abbreviated vs. outlook — when to request each
  • •Decode a METAR and TAF out loud, in one pass, without stopping. Practice on aviationweather.gov
  • •Given a weather scenario, make a go/no-go decision and defend it with a specific hazard + a specific product

Chapter-by-Chapter Guide

What each section covers and the key topics to study

1

Chapters 1-3: The Atmosphere

Composition, structure, and properties of the atmosphere. Temperature, pressure, and density relationships.

Key Topics

Atmospheric layersStandard atmosphereTemperature lapse ratePressure and density altitude
2

Chapters 4-6: Wind and Pressure Systems

Global circulation, local winds, and pressure patterns.

Key Topics

Coriolis forceGlobal wind patternsPressure gradientsLocal wind effects
3

Chapters 7-9: Moisture, Clouds, and Precipitation

Humidity, cloud formation, precipitation types, and stability.

Key Topics

Relative humidity and dewpointCloud types and formationStability and instabilityPrecipitation types
4

Chapters 10-11: Air Masses and Fronts

Air mass types, frontal systems, and associated weather.

Key Topics

Air mass classificationCold frontsWarm frontsOccluded and stationary fronts
5

Chapters 12-14: Weather Hazards

Thunderstorms, icing, turbulence, wind shear, and volcanic ash.

Key Topics

Thunderstorm stagesStructural icing typesTurbulence categoriesMicrobursts and wind shear
6

Chapters 17-19: Weather Services and Products

METARs, TAFs, PIREPs, AIRMETs, SIGMETs, and weather briefings.

Key Topics

METAR decodingTAF interpretationPIREPsWeather briefing typesAviation weather charts

Study Tips

  • Master METAR and TAF decoding first. These appear on every knowledge test and are used in real-world flying every day.
  • Understand the three stages of thunderstorm development (cumulus, mature, dissipating) and the hazards of each stage. This is heavily tested.
  • Learn the difference between rime ice, clear ice, and mixed ice. Know which cloud types and temperature ranges produce each type.
  • Study fog types (radiation, advection, upslope, precipitation-induced) and the conditions that create them. Fog questions are common on knowledge tests.
  • For instrument students, focus on weather minimums, AIRMET/SIGMET interpretation, and making go/no-go decisions based on weather products.
  • Practice reading real METARs and TAFs from aviationweather.gov daily. The more you practice, the faster you will decode them on the test.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Aviation Weather Handbook free?

Yes, it is a free PDF published by the FAA. Download it from FAA.gov at no cost.

Did the Aviation Weather Handbook replace AC 00-6 and AC 00-45?

Yes. The Aviation Weather Handbook (FAA-H-8083-28A) consolidated the content from the older Aviation Weather (AC 00-6B) and Aviation Weather Services (AC 00-45H) into a single, updated handbook.

What weather topics are most tested on the Private Pilot knowledge test?

The most commonly tested weather topics include METAR and TAF decoding, VFR weather minimums, fog types, thunderstorm hazards, density altitude, and weather briefing types. Focus your study on these areas.

Do I need this if I already have the PHAK weather chapters?

The PHAK covers weather basics in Chapters 12-13, but the Aviation Weather Handbook goes into much greater depth. For the Private Pilot knowledge test, the PHAK weather chapters may be sufficient. For Instrument and Commercial ratings, the full Aviation Weather Handbook is recommended.

Quick Facts

Document ID
FAA-H-8083-28A
Last Updated
2024
Cost
Free
Publisher
FAA

Applies To

StudentPrivateInstrumentCommercialCFIATP
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Aviation Weather Handbook (FAA-H-8083-28A) is an official FAA publication available at FAA.gov

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