In brief
- Pilot Reports (PIREPs) are used by pilots to provide real-time information on what’s happening in the sky
- The system provides early warning of any potential issues, including turbulence
- PIREPs operate across the world to make flying as safe and smooth as possible
What are PIREPs?
A PIREP (short for Pilot Report) are real-time updates provided by pilots about what they’re experiencing in the air, including weather conditions and turbulence. PIREPs help pilots make better decisions to keep your journey smoother, safer, and more predictable.
Pilots are constantly communicating and collaborating, using up-to-the-minute information to make your flight as comfortable as possible.
In this guide, we’ll explain what PIREPs are, how they’re created, and how they improve the comfort and safety of every flight.
What is a PIREP?
A PIREP is a report made by a pilot, about what they’re experiencing in the air.
It could be something as simple as:
“Light turbulence between 28,000 and 30,000 feet, scattered clouds, good visibility.”
Or something more detailed:
“Moderate icing between 6,000 and 8,000 feet near Bristol, visibility 5 miles, broken cloud.”
These reports are instantly shared with air traffic control and other aircraft nearby. That means every pilot flying close by has access to real, first-hand information from others flying in the same region. These reports from the air tell pilots what’s happening right now, making them more accurate than any forecast.
Why do pilots make PIREPs?
The connected PIREP system follows a standardised format. Pilots will typically issue a PIREP in specific circumstances, including:
- To improve weather awareness: PIREPs provide live data about turbulence, icing, clouds, and visibility, helping pilots understand how the conditions really are at the moment. The worse the weather, the more important PIREPs are.
- To help other pilots plan ahead: If one pilot reports moderate turbulence at 30,000 feet, another might choose a different altitude to keep things smoother for passengers.
- To support air traffic control: Controllers use PIREPs to adjust flight paths, reroute aircraft, and issue updated advisories.
- To feed aviation safety data: These reports are logged and analysed over time, helping meteorologists and safety agencies refine their forecasts and improve future flight planning.
What kind of information do PIREPs include?
A PIREP is a structured report that’s designed to be clear and quick. Some fearful flyers check PIREPs in an attempt to understand what’s happening in the skies. This isn’t usually helpful, because unless you’re a professional pilot, they won’t mean much to you.
Here’s how PIREPs are recorded:
- Location: Where the aircraft was when the observation was made (often as a point relative to a known location).
- Time: When it happened (in UTC, or “Zulu time”).
- Altitude: The flight level or altitude of the observation.
- Type of aircraft: Because conditions can feel different depending on aircraft size and type.
- Weather or conditions: What was observed, including turbulence, icing, visibility, clouds, temperature, etc.
For example:
“UA / OVC050 / TB MOD 26000-28000 / TEMP -40C / FL340 / A320”
It looks like code, but once decoded, it simply says:
“An Airbus A320 experienced moderate turbulence between 26,000 and 28,000 feet under overcast clouds at 34,000 feet, temperature -40°C.”
PIREPs are short and clear so that they can be communicated and shared quickly. Pilots can interpret this code, but passengers usually can’t.
How PIREPs keep you safe and comfortable
PIREPs are incredibly valuable because they ensure pilots are always sharing real-time information, helping them to:
Avoid turbulence
PIREPs are one of the best tools pilots have to minimise turbulence exposure. When they receive reports from nearby aircraft about rough air, they can often change altitude or route to find smoother conditions.
If your pilot announces that they’re climbing or descending to avoid “reported turbulence,” that’s a good thing, it means the system is working exactly as designed.
Adjust flights around weather
Weather can change quickly at high altitudes. PIREPs are part of a comprehensive system – including onboard radar and ground forecasts – to give pilots a complete picture of the atmosphere ahead.
If icing, thunderstorms, or visibility issues are reported by another pilot, your flight crew can plan accordingly. That means they can adjust the route or request a different approach to the destination.
Support air traffic control
Air traffic controllers use PIREPs to guide aircraft safely through changing weather. The rapid system enables them to warn multiple flights about the same area of turbulence or ask aircraft to spread out vertically to avoid issues.
Improve future safety
Every PIREP is logged, studied, and used to make aviation safer. Meteorologists compare PIREPs with radar data to refine forecasts, and engineers study them to design better systems for turbulence detection.
It’s all part of an integrated system that’s trying to improve flight safety worldwide.
How often do pilots send PIREPs?
PIREPs are only made when something important or relevant happens, not constantly. If a flight is smooth and conditions match the forecast, there’s no need to make a PIREP.
If pilots encounter something noteworthy (like there’s turbulence, icing, or a change in visibility) pilots will usually report it. They’re doing this to help other pilots and passengers who may be flying nearby.
Why understanding the PIREP system can ease your mind
Aviation is built on constant observation, communication, and adaptation. PIREPs are proof of that. They’re a real-time network that connects every pilot and helps them make your flight safer and smoother.
Pilots know what to expect ahead because of PIREPs, weather radar, and other systems.
Every pilot benefits from the experiences of others to help them find the smoothest and safest route. Turbulence is monitored, reported, and actively managed, often before you even notice it.
Pilots aren’t going to tell you they’re reading and responding to PIREPs, but if your pilot mentions they’re changing altitude to “avoid reports of rough air,” that’s likely to have been a response to a PIREP.
Keeping you safer in the sky
PIREPs are part of a comprehensive and integrated system to keep you safer in the skies. As well as forecasts and instruments, pilots can also rely on the best source of data – the experiences of other pilots.
We don’t recommend you try and read and interpret PIREPs. They’re created by professional pilots, for professional pilots. But knowing they exist and how the system works can give you a little more confidence and help you fly above your fear, not through it.
If you need some more help, download our free Calm Flight Toolkit and visit our Help Desk pages.
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FAQs
PIREPs (pilot reports) are real-time updates about what’s happening in the sky. Pilots share information on weather conditions, turbulence and other things that pilots, flight planners and others may find useful.
PIREPs provide real-time information about what’s happening, and all from an expert source. If a pilot experiences turbulence in an area ,they can pre-warn other pilots and flight planners who may smoother routes.
PIREPs are accessible in some areas, but they are for other pilots not nervous passengers! It’s much better to understand what PIREPs are, that’s part of an incredibly safe system that’s there to keep you protected.