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What is a key feature of the METAR report?

  1. It is issued hourly

  2. It covers long-range forecasts

  3. It includes pilot reports

  4. It is issued for VFR only

The correct answer is: It is issued hourly

A key feature of the METAR report is that it is issued hourly. METAR stands for Meteorological Aerodrome Report, and it provides current weather conditions at airports and aerodromes. These reports are vital for pilots as they offer real-time information about temperature, visibility, wind direction and speed, cloud cover, and other weather-related data. The hourly update frequency ensures that pilots have the most current weather information when making decisions about flight operations. In contrast, long-range forecasts are not what METAR reports provide; they focus on short-term, current weather conditions rather than predictions extending days into the future. Additionally, METAR reports do not include pilot reports, which are a different type of report summarizing observations made by pilots during flight. Lastly, METAR reports are not limited to Visual Flight Rules (VFR) conditions; they include data relevant for all pilot operations, encompassing both VFR and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). Therefore, the hourly issuance is a distinguishing characteristic of METAR reports, making it an essential tool for aviation safety and planning.