Date of Issue:					Effective Date:		March 28, 2001
In Reply Refer				W/OS7	File	WSOM Chapter B-13
Subject:	Federal Aviation Non-Federal Observations Program
References:		WSOM Chapter B-13, dated August 8, 1975

This OML establishes National Weather Service (NWS) policy

for supporting the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Non-Federal Observations (NF-OBS) Program. Under the NF-OBS program, Non-Federal observers perform augmentation and backup of commissioned ASOS at no cost to the Federal Government.

The NWS regional headquarters shall cooperate with the FAA in establishing NF-OBS agreement(s) at no cost to the Federal Government. The cooperative agreements are established between the NF-OBS provider and the FAA. Each NWS region headquarters shall establish a point of contact with the corresponding FAA region. The NWS regional headquarters shall advise the FAA if any terms of the agreement(s) conflict with existing NWS policy.

The NWS shall issue observing certificates for Limited Aviation Weather Reporting Stations as described in WSOM Chapter B-61. The observers shall use the FAA rules and guidelines including FAA Order 7900.5, Surface Weather Observations - METAR. The NWS shall inspect NF-OBS sites initially and thereafter on an annual basis as described in WSOM Chapter B-66.

The NWS shall not provide backup meteorological sensors to NF-OBS providers. All NF-OBS backup sensors must be sited in accordance with Office of Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research handbook, "Federal Standard for Siting Meteorological Sensors at Airports." The staff of NWS Weather Forecast Offices shall work with the NF-OBS provider to conduct observer certifications, station inspections, and other issues as they arise. If the NF-OBS provider does not meet all obligations the NWS shall inform the appropriate FAA region, and take appropriate action as described in WSOM Chapter B-66.

WSOM-B-13-04-01

OML

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Each regional headquarters shall maintain a listing of

NF-OBS locations in their region and inform W/OPS22 of new NF-OBS locations or changes to existing locations. For all services provided by the NWS, the Observing Systems Branch, W/OPS22 shall invoice the FAA for payment. Procedures for this invoicing are described in the NWS and FAA Memorandum of Agreement for Operations, Maintenance, and Planned Improvement of Automated Surface Observing System (Agreement number 74631, dated

September 22, 2000).

John J. Kelly, Jr.

Assistant Administrator

for Weather Services