Certified Flight Instructor - Flight Instructor Airplane Practice Exam

Until what time is the Chicago FA forecast valid?

1. 1945Z

2. 0800Z

3. 1400Z

4. 1200Z

The correct answer is: 0800Z

The Chicago FA forecast, which stands for Flight Advisory forecast, is typically valid until a specified time. The reason the correct time is 0800Z is that this corresponds to the completion of standard issuance protocols for such aviation weather products. Specifically, forecasts are often designed to help aviators plan their routes and operations meaningfully, providing critical data up until a certain hour to facilitate safe decision-making. In practice, the timing of forecasts, including the Chicago FA, is aligned with flight operations and the schedules of significant airports in the surrounding regions. This means that many forecasts are designed to be most useful during the times of higher volume traffic or when a weather shift is expected, crucial for ensuring safety and efficiency. For other times mentioned, such as 1945Z, 1400Z, and 1200Z, these may not coincide with the regular issuance schedule for forecasts or can reflect times that are past the forecast validity for planning purposes. Therefore, knowing that 0800Z is the cutoff supports effective route planning for flights operating in and out of Chicago during peak hours.