The Civil Aerospace Medical Institute is currently conducting a proof-of-concept study for Pilot Reports (PIREP). A PIREP is an actual weather observation as encountered by a pilot in any phase of flight. Conventionally, most of these reports are transmitted by radio to a ground station for further dissemination, or these observations can be made via cell phone upon landing. The reports can contain information about turbulence, temperatures, icing, wind shear, volcanic ash or can include information about an airport such as runway conditions or ground equipment failures. While PIREP information can vary from country to country, the standard content includes a heading, aircraft location, time, flight level, and aircraft type.
PIREPS inform other pilots of meteorological data encountered in flight. PIREPS can be lifesaving information when relayed to other pilots about potential hazards.
For the period of time between November 4, 2022 and April 30, 2023; the FAA is looking for pilots who are flying within or overflying (e.g., in the flight levels) the areas with radius of ~ 50 nm from two airports:
The effort could pave the way toward an additional means to file and retrieve PIREPs. Volunteers are needed. Participation will be compensated.
Pilots agree that PIREPs are a welcomed safety component when flying. However, a frequent complaint is that there aren’t enough reports in the system. Some pilots state that their reasons for not providing PIREPs is because air traffic control (ATC) frequencies are too busy, or that interacting with Flight Service takes too long to file a report. This study hopes to pioneer a way to provide and obtain PIREPs using nothing more than the airplane’s radio on a dedicated radio frequency, and an automated ground station, used exclusively for filing and retrieving reports. The project uses Artificial Intelligence, Natural Language Processing and Cloud Computing to let pilots both report and retrieve PIREPs without having to talk to an ATC controller or Flight Service specialist.
Pilots who fly or overfly either of the two study areas mentioned above, and who are willing to volunteer with this study may go to: https://cbtopsatcami.faa.gov/ or may use the QR code below:
The study is conducted on the FAA CAMI’s Cloud-based Aviation Weather Human Factors Research Platform (CbTOPS) that is available as a web and a mobile application.
The signup process includes:
After completing the sign-up process participants will receive an individual unique call sign to use for the duration of the study. Participants will be paid for each of the PIREPS they file, however it is required of them to take a bi-weekly online survey before receiving compensation for the PIREPs they filed during the preceding two weeks.
For questions regarding the study, please feel free to reach out to the study Support Staff or contact the Principal Investigator, Dr. Daniela Kratchounova directly.
For questions regarding compensation for participation, please feel free to reach out to Tami Bengle.
If you are a pilot or know of pilot(s) flying within, or overflying, the two study areas, who could assist with this study, please feel free to share this information. Spreading this information contributes to a safer National Airspace System.
