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What is the main difference between an AIRMET and a SIGMET?

Choices

  • ✓ An AIRMET covers hazards to light aircraft; a SIGMET covers severe hazards to all aircraftcorrect

    AIRMETs address moderate hazards significant to smaller aircraft; SIGMETs address severe hazards affecting all aircraft.

  • An AIRMET is a forecast and a SIGMET is an observation

    Both are advisories about hazards, not an observation-versus-forecast distinction.

  • An AIRMET applies only at night

    AIRMETs are not restricted to nighttime.

  • A SIGMET covers only wind and an AIRMET only clouds

    Both cover multiple hazard types at different severities.

Why

An AIRMET warns of hazards significant to light aircraft such as moderate turbulence or icing, while a SIGMET warns of more severe hazards such as severe turbulence or icing that affect all aircraft.

FAA source: FAA-H-8083-28 (advisories)browse the reference library →

This is taught in PIREPs, AIRMETs, SIGMETs and Winds Aloft — study the lessons free, then practice with grading and mastery tracking.

Original study question written for this course — representative of FAA knowledge-test topics, not an actual current FAA exam question.

What is the main difference between an AIRMET and a SIGMET? · PPL Free Ground School