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The Korea Aviation Meteorological Agency (KAMA) aims to provide aviation weather services to contribute to safetyimprovement, regularity, and efficiency of air navigation. It conducts aviation weather services according to the technical provisions of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Annex 3 and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), as well as standards and recommended practices of regional agreements and conventions in air navigation.KAMA, located at Incheon International Airport, generally manages Korea’s national aeronautical meteorology services. KAMA operates an airport weather station at each airport in Kimpo, Jeju, Ulsan, and Muan, and an airport weather observatory at each airport of Kimhae, Daegu, Yeosu, Cheongju, Yangyang, Gwangju, Pohang, and Sacheon. KAMA issues aeronautical meteorological observation information, aeronautical meteorological forecast and warning, as well as the SIGnificant METeorological information (SIGMET). In addition, it provides airlines and related agencies with worldwide aviation weather information that has been collected via the Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunications Network (AFTN).
Aeronautical Meteorological Observation services are automated. These services include the observation of wind direction, wind speed, the Runway Visual Range (RVR), temperature, air pressure, precipitation, etc, after setting the, the Aerodrome Meteorological Observation System (AMOS), in each civil airport and region-controlled airport across the nation.
The agency analyzes aviation observation elements and then conducts various observation activities, such as METAR, local MET Report, SPECI, and local SPECIAL in order to produce and provide weather information necessary for flight safety.
Based on aviation weather observation data, various numerical forecast data, and international preliminary data about aircraft received by the WAFS, the KAMA produces and provides TAF, landing and take-off forecasts, area forecast for low-level flight, and SIGWX Forecasts, SIGMET, etc., all of which are necessary for safe airplane operation. TAF, area forecast for low-level flight, SIGWX Forecasts, and SIGMET are issued four times a day, landing forecasts every half hour, and take-off forecasts every hour.
The KAMA issues aeronautical meteorology special reports concerning meteorological conditions that may affectflights on the ground, airport facilities, airport services, and safe flight services on the airway. The types of special reports are as follows:
| Type | Contents |
|---|---|
| Aerodrome Warning | Issued when a weather phenomenon that may damage a flight on the ground, airport facilities,and airport services is observed or prendicted |
| Wind shear Warning | Issued when a wind shear that mau damage a flight uder takeoff or access is observed or predicted |
| SIGMET info | Issued when a SIGMET phenomenon that may threaten the safety of a flight in the flight information region(FIR) is observed or predicted-Thunder and lightning, Typhoon, warm currents, ice, etc. |
| AIPMET info | issued when a weather phenomenon on a specific airway that may damage a flight below 10,000ft is observed or predicted |
The KAMA issues aeronautical meteorology special reports concerning meteorological conditions that may affectflights on the ground, airport facilities, airport services, and safe flight services on the airway. The types of special reports are as follows:
World Area Forecast System (WAFS) : WAFS receives major meteorological forecasts by air altitude, upper wind, and temperature forecasts in a digital format and meteorological data from around 2400 airports in a character/number format provided by the World Area Forecast Center via satellite. It then provides necessary meteorological information for the safety of international airlines services.
High-Level Air-Navigation Meteorological Information Service (HAMIS) : A membership-only homepage servicedesigned to support aeronautical meteorology for domestic and international airline services. It provides scheduled airlines, such as Korea Airlines, Asiana Airlines, and foreign airlines with important meteorological information.
Low-Level Air-Navigation Meteorological Information Service (LAMIS) : A membership-only homepage servicedesigned to support aeronautical meteorology for domestic and low-altitude nonscheduled airlines services. It provides the Korea Coast Guard, the National 119 Rescue Services, and nonscheduled airlines with important meteorological information.
Airport Control Weather Information System (ACWIS) : An Internet system that can monitor, in real-time, weather conditions of an airport and the area around the airport, which is necessary for aeronautical transportation control.
