Finding An Airport Awos: A Comprehensive Guide

There are several ways to find out if an airport has an AWOS frequency. The easiest way is to look at the airport diagram, where the relevant frequencies are listed. At smaller airports, where AWOS stations are more common, the frequency can be found under 'weather data sources' in the FAA's airport directory. Pilots can also listen to broadcasts over the radio, call the station's phone number for a report, or read a text METARs report.

Check the airport diagram

Airport diagrams are published by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and follow a common format. They are used by pilots to navigate the taxiways and runways to get to the required area, even if it's their first time at the airport.

The enlarged text 'airport diagram' helps the pilot identify what the chart contains. The right corner of the chart contains the name of the airport and its International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) identifier. This information helps ensure the pilot is looking at the right airport diagram. On the left and right sides of the airport diagram, there is an effective date. This is when the airport diagram is current.

Airport diagrams are specifically designed to assist in the movement of ground traffic at locations with complex runway/taxiway configurations and provide information for updating computer-based navigation systems (INS) aboard aircraft. They include runway dimensions, elevations, and gradients (if greater than 0.3° up or down).

Some apps, such as iFly, allow pilots to zoom in on a "large" airport to automatically see the diagram.

Look at the FAA's airport directory

To find an airport AWOS, there are several methods you can use. One way is to look at the FAA's airport directory. At smaller airports, where AWOS or ASOS stations are more common, you can find the frequency under "weather data sources" in the directory.

The FAA's airport directory is a comprehensive resource that provides essential information for pilots and aviation professionals. It contains detailed data on airports across the country, including their weather monitoring systems and radio frequencies. By consulting this directory, pilots can easily identify which airports have AWOS systems in place and obtain the necessary details for accessing weather information.

The FAA's airport directory is typically available in digital or print formats, offering convenient access to pilots and aviation stakeholders. It is regularly updated to ensure that the information remains current and accurate. This directory serves as a valuable tool for flight planning, enabling pilots to make informed decisions regarding weather conditions, airport capabilities, and operational considerations.

In addition to the FAA's airport directory, there are other methods for locating AWOS frequencies. One approach is to refer to sectional charts, which provide a visual representation of airspace, topography, and airport data. By locating your desired airport on the sectional chart, you can find the AWOS frequency listed alongside it. Sectional charts offer a comprehensive overview of the aviation landscape, assisting pilots in navigating and planning their flights effectively.

Furthermore, pilots can also access AWOS information through various other means. They can listen to broadcasts over the radio, call the station's phone number, receive coded reports through their ADS-B receivers, or request pertinent information from ATC. Each airport may have a unique weather monitoring system and radio frequency, so it is essential to determine the specific methods employed by the airport in question.

Find the sectional chart

To find the sectional chart, you can look at the airport diagram. At larger airports, you will find a dedicated airport diagram with the relevant frequencies listed. At smaller airports, where AWOS or ASOS stations are more common, you will find the frequency under 'weather data sources' in the FAA's airport directory.

Sectional charts are like treasure maps. They provide a lot of valuable information, including topography, airspace, and airport data. You can locate your airport on the sectional chart, and you will find the ATIS, ASOS, or AWOS frequency listed next to it.

The VFR sectional will also list the system type (ASOS/AWOS/ATIS) and its designated radio frequency. You can find this just below the airport name. The airport diagram will also list the weather system type and frequency. This can be found in the top left box, just below the GPS coordinates.

Pilots can also listen to broadcasts over the radio, call the station's phone number for the report, receive a coded report through their ADS-B receiver, or read a text METARs report. The only mandatory method of weather reporting is the computer-generated voice radio broadcast. Each airport has a different weather monitoring system and radio frequency/phone number, so it is important to determine which system a given airport uses.

Listen to radio broadcasts

Pilots can listen to AWOS broadcasts over the radio. AWOS systems disseminate weather data via a computer-generated voice message, which is broadcast via radio frequency to pilots near an airport. This is the only mandatory form of weather reporting for an AWOS. The message is updated at least once per minute.

To find the correct radio frequency, look at the airport diagram. At larger airports, you will find a dedicated airport diagram with the relevant frequencies listed. At smaller airports, you will find the frequency under 'weather data sources' in the FAA's airport directory. You can also look just below the airport name on your VFR sectional. The system type (ASOS/AWOS/ATIS) will be listed along with its designated radio frequency.

Call the station's phone number

Calling the station's phone number is another way to access AWOS and ASOS station data. Pilots can call the station's phone number to receive a report. This is one of several ways to access AWOS data, including listening to broadcasts over the radio, receiving a coded report through an ADS-B receiver, reading a text METARs report, or asking ATC to relay the information.

Each airport will have a different weather monitoring system and radio frequency/phone number, so it is important to determine which system a given airport uses. The easiest way to identify if an airport has an AWOS frequency is to look at the airport diagram. At larger airports, you will find a dedicated airport diagram with the relevant frequencies listed. At smaller airports, you can find the frequency under "weather data sources" in the FAA's airport directory.

You can also locate your airport on a sectional chart, and you will find the AWOS frequency listed next to it. The system type (ASOS/AWOS/ATIS) will be listed just below the airport name on your VFR sectional, along with its designated radio frequency. The airport diagram will also show the weather system type and frequency in the top left box, just below the GPS coordinates.

Frequently asked questions