Weather reporting facilities

This regulation governs which weather reports and forecasts Part 121 supplemental operators can use to make flight decisions.

Certificate holders must use weather reports from the U.S. National Weather Service or other Weather Bureau-approved sources. When operating outside the U.S. or at military airports where these reports aren't available, operators must demonstrate to the FAA that their alternative weather sources are satisfactory.

Any forecasts used to control flight movements must be based on these approved weather reports.

In practice, this means supplemental operators (like charter carriers) can't rely on just any weather information when deciding whether to dispatch, continue, or divert flights. They must use official, approved sources. This ensures weather-dependent operational decisions are based on reliable, quality-controlled meteorological data rather than potentially unreliable sources. The regulation provides flexibility for international and military operations while maintaining safety standards through FAA oversight of alternative weather sources.

*This is a plain-English summary for study only. The official 14 CFR text on this page is controlling — always read the current regulation and consult a CFI.*