What is the purpose of a Pilot Report (PIREP)?

The purpose of a Pilot Report (PIREP) is to report actual weather conditions during flight. PIREPs are crucial for improving the overall safety and efficiency of aviation operations, as they provide real-time information that can be valuable to other pilots, meteorologists, and air traffic controllers. By sharing observations about current weather phenomena, such as turbulence, cloud cover, visibility, and other relevant conditions, pilots help create a more accurate picture of the atmosphere in a given area. This information can affect flight route decisions, contribute to weather forecasts, and enhance situational awareness for those flying in nearby airspace.

The other choices do not accurately define the role of a PIREP, as pre-flight weather forecasts are generally provided by meteorological services, flight plans are communicated through different means and are separate from weather reports, and announcements of landings are typically made through air traffic control communications and not recorded as PIREPs.