NTSB Issues Recommendation A-17-019 to FAA for Standardized Mountain Wave Reporting Criteria

The National Transportation Safety Board, identified by reference number DCA15SR001, has issued Recommendation A-17-019 to the Federal Aviation Administration. This directive calls for a collaborative effort with the National Weather Service to revise both the Aeronautical Information Manual and Advisory Circular 00-45H. The primary objective is to define standard criteria for reporting mountain wave activity within pilot weather reports, commonly known as PIREPs. The recommended revisions require that these reports consider the fact that not all hazardous mountain wave encounters involve turbulence. Furthermore, the new standards must include specific details such as airspeed fluctuation ranges and altitude fluctuation ranges, along with any other information necessary to adequately describe the effects of the mountain wave activity on the aircraft. The guidelines also mandate parameters for classifying the intensity level of conditions for both turbulent and smooth wave encounters. Additionally, the recommendation specifies the threshold at which a PIREP for each type of encounter should be coded as urgent to ensure consistent and actionable data for aviation safety.