Weather Station - Revision history

codex: Clarify airport identifiers are independent of towers and required for METAR reporting

2026-11-06T20:15:53Z

Clarify airport identifiers are independent of towers and required for METAR reporting

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:15, 6 November 2026
Line 36:		Line 36:

	== Weather reporting ==		== Weather reporting ==
	Local METAR reporting requires an installed station at an airfield, positive fuel reserves, a working [[Uplink]], and a colony that is not shuttered. A control tower is not required. A fueled mothballed colony can still report.		Local METAR reporting requires an installed station at an airfield with an assigned airport identifier, positive fuel reserves, a working [[Uplink]], and a colony that is not shuttered. A control tower is not required. A fueled mothballed colony can still report.

			Airport identifiers are independent of control towers. Set a player airfield's identifier in the [[Player Portal]] colony settings using the '''Airport ID''' field. Choose a unique four-letter uppercase code beginning with V; the first assignment is free. A Weather Station can be installed before an identifier is assigned, but the airfield does not publish a METAR until it has a valid identifier.

	The <code>AUTO</code> modifier identifies an observation produced without human intervention; <code>AO2</code> in the remarks identifies an automated station with precipitation discrimination. ASOS is the observing system, not the report modifier. Tower presence alone does not determine whether a report is automated. RISE Weather Station METAR and SPECI reports include <code>AUTO</code> and <code>RMK AO2</code>, including at towered airports. A failed precipitation detector retains the AO2 equipment designation and adds <code>PWINO</code>. See [https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aip_html/part1_gen_section_3.5.html FAA METAR guidance].		The <code>AUTO</code> modifier identifies an observation produced without human intervention; <code>AO2</code> in the remarks identifies an automated station with precipitation discrimination. ASOS is the observing system, not the report modifier. Tower presence alone does not determine whether a report is automated. RISE Weather Station METAR and SPECI reports include <code>AUTO</code> and <code>RMK AO2</code>, including at towered airports. A failed precipitation detector retains the AO2 equipment designation and adds <code>PWINO</code>. See [https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aip_html/part1_gen_section_3.5.html FAA METAR guidance].

	Failed components produce missing-data groups rather than calm wind, clear weather or zero readings. Examples include <code>/////MPS</code> for missing wind, <code>////</code> for prevailing visibility, <code>//////</code> for ceiling, <code>/////</code> for temperature/dewpoint, and <code>Q////</code> for pressure. Precipitation-detector failure adds <code>//</code> and <code>PWINO</code>; lightning-sensor failure suppresses thunderstorm reporting and adds <code>TSNO</code>. The <code>$</code> maintenance indicator appears when a station component has failed. An absent station produces a NIL observation.		Failed components produce missing-data groups rather than calm wind, clear weather or zero readings. Examples include <code>/////MPS</code> for missing wind, <code>////</code> for prevailing visibility, <code>//////</code> for ceiling, <code>/////</code> for temperature/dewpoint, and <code>Q////</code> for pressure. Precipitation-detector failure adds <code>//</code> and <code>PWINO</code>; lightning-sensor failure suppresses thunderstorm reporting and adds <code>TSNO</code>. The <code>$</code> maintenance indicator appears when a station component has failed. An absent station at an identified airfield produces a NIL observation.

	ATIS and controller wind checks identify unavailable local information. When Parks Bi-State's '''VCPS''' METAR is available, a working VCPS sensor can supply reference information for a missing local field. The report names VCPS and its UTC observation time; the reference observation must be no more than 15 minutes old. Digital ATIS groups these values under <code>VCPS HHmmZ REFERENCE</code>.		ATIS and controller wind checks identify unavailable local information. When Parks Bi-State's '''VCPS''' METAR is available, a working VCPS sensor can supply reference information for a missing local field. The report names VCPS and its UTC observation time; the reference observation must be no more than 15 minutes old. Digital ATIS groups these values under <code>VCPS HHmmZ REFERENCE</code>.

codex: Allow untowered airfields; explain AUTO and AO2 automated-observation markers

2026-11-06T16:28:54Z

Allow untowered airfields; explain AUTO and AO2 automated-observation markers

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:28, 6 November 2026
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	}}		}}

	A '''Weather Station''' is an [[:Category:Inventory\|inventory]] item installed at an ~~airport control tower~~ to provide local weather observations for METAR, ATIS and controller weather reports. Its seven components can fail independently. [[RVR\|Runway Visual Range (RVR)]] remains a separate installation.		A '''Weather Station''' is an [[:Category:Inventory\|inventory]] item installed at an airfield to provide local weather observations for METAR, ATIS and controller weather reports. Its seven components can fail independently. [[RVR\|Runway Visual Range (RVR)]] remains a separate installation.

	== Purchase and installation ==		== Purchase and installation ==
	Purchase a Weather Station from [[Lockheed Martin]] using option '''5, Weather Station (500000 CR)'''. The packaged station weighs '''500 lb''' (approximately '''226.8 kg''').		Purchase a Weather Station from [[Lockheed Martin]] using option '''5, Weather Station (500000 CR)'''. The packaged station weighs '''500 lb''' (approximately '''226.8 kg''').

	Carry the kit in vehicle cargo to the airfield and use the cargo installation action at ~~the~~ colony~~'s completed~~ control tower. Installation consumes the kit and supplies all seven working components. A replacement kit restores a damaged station; a fully working station does not accept another kit.		Carry the kit in vehicle cargo to the airfield and use the cargo installation action at that colony. A control tower is not required. Installation consumes the kit and supplies all seven working components. A replacement kit restores a damaged station; a fully working station does not accept another kit.

	== Components ==		== Components ==
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	== Weather reporting ==		== Weather reporting ==
	Local METAR reporting requires ~~a control tower,~~ an installed station, positive fuel reserves, a working [[Uplink]], and a colony that is not shuttered. A fueled mothballed colony can still report.		Local METAR reporting requires an installed station at an airfield, positive fuel reserves, a working [[Uplink]], and a colony that is not shuttered. A control tower is not required. A fueled mothballed colony can still report.

			The <code>AUTO</code> modifier identifies an observation produced without human intervention; <code>AO2</code> in the remarks identifies an automated station with precipitation discrimination. ASOS is the observing system, not the report modifier. Tower presence alone does not determine whether a report is automated. RISE Weather Station METAR and SPECI reports include <code>AUTO</code> and <code>RMK AO2</code>, including at towered airports. A failed precipitation detector retains the AO2 equipment designation and adds <code>PWINO</code>. See [https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aip_html/part1_gen_section_3.5.html FAA METAR guidance].

	Failed components produce missing-data groups rather than calm wind, clear weather or zero readings. Examples include <code>/////MPS</code> for missing wind, <code>////</code> for prevailing visibility, <code>//////</code> for ceiling, <code>/////</code> for temperature/dewpoint, and <code>Q////</code> for pressure. Precipitation-detector failure adds <code>//</code> and <code>PWINO</code>; lightning-sensor failure suppresses thunderstorm reporting and adds <code>TSNO</code>. The <code>$</code> maintenance indicator appears when a station component has failed. An absent station produces a NIL observation.		Failed components produce missing-data groups rather than calm wind, clear weather or zero readings. Examples include <code>/////MPS</code> for missing wind, <code>////</code> for prevailing visibility, <code>//////</code> for ceiling, <code>/////</code> for temperature/dewpoint, and <code>Q////</code> for pressure. Precipitation-detector failure adds <code>//</code> and <code>PWINO</code>; lightning-sensor failure suppresses thunderstorm reporting and adds <code>TSNO</code>. The <code>$</code> maintenance indicator appears when a station component has failed. An absent station produces a NIL observation.

codex at 16:20, 6 November 2026

2026-11-06T16:20:23Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:20, 6 November 2026
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	{{Inventory		{{Inventory
	\|~~picture~~=~~'''Weather Station'''~~		\|image=asos
	\|source=Purchasable from [[Lockheed Martin]], option 5		\|source=Purchasable from [[Lockheed Martin]], option 5
	\|weight=226.8		\|weight=226.8
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	[[Category:Inventory]]		[[Category:Inventory]]
	[[Category:~~Colonies]]~~		[[Category:Airfield]]
	~~[[Category:Economics~~]]

codex: Add Weather Station inventory article, infobox, components and operating instructions

2026-11-06T15:17:19Z

Add Weather Station inventory article, infobox, components and operating instructions

New page

{{Inventory
|picture='''Weather Station'''
|source=Purchasable from [[Lockheed Martin]], option 5
|weight=226.8
|price=500000
|mtbf=50,000 (per sensor)
}}

A '''Weather Station''' is an [[:Category:Inventory|inventory]] item installed at an airport control tower to provide local weather observations for METAR, ATIS and controller weather reports. Its seven components can fail independently. [[RVR|Runway Visual Range (RVR)]] remains a separate installation.

== Purchase and installation ==
Purchase a Weather Station from [[Lockheed Martin]] using option '''5, Weather Station (500000 CR)'''. The packaged station weighs '''500 lb''' (approximately '''226.8 kg''').

Carry the kit in vehicle cargo to the airfield and use the cargo installation action at the colony's completed control tower. Installation consumes the kit and supplies all seven working components. A replacement kit restores a damaged station; a fully working station does not accept another kit.

== Components ==
{| class="wikitable"
! Component !! Observation !! Effect of failure
|-
| Anemometer || Wind direction, speed and gusts || Wind unavailable
|-
| Ceilometer || Cloud ceiling || Ceiling unavailable
|-
| Visibility sensor || Prevailing visibility and obscuration || Visibility unavailable; working RVR remains independent
|-
| Precipitation detector || Precipitation type and intensity || Precipitation information unavailable
|-
| Thermo-hygrometer || Temperature and dewpoint || Temperature and dewpoint unavailable
|-
| Lightning sensor || Thunderstorm detection || Thunderstorm information unavailable
|-
| Barometer || Pressure / altimeter || Altimeter unavailable
|}

The station's visibility sensor measures prevailing visibility. It does not install, replace or repair the separate runway RVR system. A Weather Station also does not replace [[Doppler Radar]], which supplies regional precipitation coverage to the [[Player Portal]].

== Weather reporting ==
Local METAR reporting requires a control tower, an installed station, positive fuel reserves, a working [[Uplink]], and a colony that is not shuttered. A fueled mothballed colony can still report.

Failed components produce missing-data groups rather than calm wind, clear weather or zero readings. Examples include <code>/////MPS</code> for missing wind, <code>////</code> for prevailing visibility, <code>//////</code> for ceiling, <code>/////</code> for temperature/dewpoint, and <code>Q////</code> for pressure. Precipitation-detector failure adds <code>//</code> and <code>PWINO</code>; lightning-sensor failure suppresses thunderstorm reporting and adds <code>TSNO</code>. The <code>$</code> maintenance indicator appears when a station component has failed. An absent station produces a NIL observation.

ATIS and controller wind checks identify unavailable local information. When Parks Bi-State's '''VCPS''' METAR is available, a working VCPS sensor can supply reference information for a missing local field. The report names VCPS and its UTC observation time; the reference observation must be no more than 15 minutes old. Digital ATIS groups these values under <code>VCPS HHmmZ REFERENCE</code>.

VCPS observations describe conditions at VCPS. They do not fill in the destination's METAR or local RVR. Working local sensors take precedence. If VCPS also lacks the required observation, the information remains unavailable.

== Maintenance ==
Each working component uses the same reliability and maintenance model as [[RVR]]. Failure checks occur while the colony has fuel and is not shuttered. Active operations with goods, sufficient working population and higher territory morale improve reliability.

The maintained MTBF shown in the inventory box is the maximum '''per component''', not the time between failures anywhere in the seven-component station. The model ranges from 10,000 to 50,000 hours per component according to maintenance conditions. Failed components remain failed until the station is replaced. Equipment failure changes the observations available to pilots, not the actual weather.

== See also ==
* [[Weather]]
* [[RVR]]
* [[Doppler Radar]]
* [[Uplink]]
* [[Player Portal]]

[[Category:Inventory]]
[[Category:Colonies]]
[[Category:Economics]]