'Pireps' - do it!
 

Many years ago, during level off at our initial departure altitude (per the SID) my first officer and I encountered severe icing in our commuter airline turbo prop. [the side windows iced over in about 10 seconds, airspeed decay and sluggish pitch response]

With our request for an altitude change, we gave ATC our OAT (sorry, we didn't have a digital SAT readout) and report of severe icing. Of course, ATC had our type and altitude.

Until we were handed off to center, we heard departure ATC clearing aircraft to a higher departure altitude based on our initial report and subsequent report when we were out of the severe icing...

Made 4 Pireps on icing just 2 days ago :) Keep them informed and other pilots our of harms way :)

And please people, never use TAT to report temperatures aloft, including freezing levels. By doing so, you could lead general aviation aircraft into critical icing conditions.

Good post.

"Man that was nasty!" should be followed with a brief pirep to atc to report turb, birds, ice, braking, etc.

PIREPS = Helpful to everyone!

I've given about 15-20 or so in my short 121 career and would definitely give more if given the chance!

And dont forget that on those days when ice, turbulence, etc is forecast it can be just as helpful to give a PIREP when you DONT encounter the conditions. "Negative icing" reports can be handy for those looking for a plan B.

GREAT POST!!!!!!!!

1 small pirep can either break the chain of events that causes an accident or give a pilot with NO outs left a way out.

This is a pet peeve of mine and I've been trying to spread this Gospel:

-If your going to give ATC a ride report, then add your flight level and a quick description of your location.

You know darn well that if you call up ATC and say "Hey Atlanta, we're beginnning to pick up some moderate chop, you got any reports?"....in about 5 seconds, 3 other planes on frequency are going to ask "where is he in relation to me" and "Where is that moderate at".

By taking an a extra second on the radio and saying "Hey Atlanta, were picking up moderate chop at 340 just south of Spartanburg", you can probably save 60 more seconds of clogged up frequency time.

I guess what I'm saying is that if your going to make a report, be it icing or turbulence, take an extra second and add some useful details to it. Telling ATC that you had icing starting at 18000 and ending at 12000 is a lot more useful to your fellow pilots than just saying "we picked up light icing in the descent".

Thanks for letting me vent. I feel better now.

This is a great thread. Once upon a time I flew single pilot freight in Barons and Cheiftains and during icing season pireps were probably the most important part of my pre-flight wx brief. They were also quite important enroute when having to determine the best place to go to get out of any hazardous weather. So keep your fellow pilots in mind and give PIREPs often.

Especially for your dispatchers. Sure, we can see what is forecast, but what is actually going on can always be different. The more info we can get, the better. We appreciate updates as much as you do.

I frequently give PIREPs to Flight Watch via EFAS, and also use them to get info on weather and/or turbulence down the road...even with XM weather in the airplane.

Last day I flew I gave 2 reports for icing, and 1 for negative icing once we were out. I just like to pass the love to the next poor soul.

Not too long ago we (ups) overheard our purple competition give a ride report when a Delta pilot requested it from ATC.

Kansas Center - "Fedex xxx" - "Say conditions"

"Fedex xxx" - "I'd say smooth ride on the cargo scale and moderate turbulence on the passenger scale"

We both got a kick out of it... :D

after being in the professional pilot world for only a couple years, I thought some pilots might find PIREPS that weren't a serious condition annoying. And reporting birds or wildlife on the runway or taxiways seemed to annoy ATC...
I'm glad to see others appreciate them as much as I do.

Which, by the way, nothing wrong with annoying ATC;)

At the risk of hijacking the thread, this reminds me of a funny ride report I heard a few years back. ATC was asking an aircraft with the callsign "Justice" about ride reports. I later found out that "Justice" is a Dept. of Justice flight that transports prisoners and deports illegal aliens. The conversation went like this.

ATC: Justice XXX say ride conditions.

Justice: Ah....it's pretty rough, I'd call it continuous moderate.

ATC: OK....you want to try a different altitude?

Justice: Nah, that's OK. Our passengers deserve it!