Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Practice Exam

What is the purpose of a SIGMET?

1. To report weather conditions for a specific region

2. To provide significant meteorological information affecting aircraft safety

3. To announce routine traffic updates

4. To describe flight routes

The correct answer is: To provide significant meteorological information affecting aircraft safety

The purpose of a SIGMET is to provide significant meteorological information affecting aircraft safety. This includes warnings about severe weather phenomena such as thunderstorms, turbulence, severe icing, and other conditions that could impact flight operations. SIGMETs are crucial for pilots and air traffic controllers as they facilitate informed decision-making regarding flight paths, altitudes, and overall safety during operations. While reports on weather conditions for a specific region might be relevant, those are typically covered by METARs or TAFs, which provide broader weather data rather than focusing solely on significant safety impacts. Routine traffic updates and flight route descriptions are not the focus of SIGMETs, as these pertain more to operational considerations rather than critical weather warnings that need immediate attention for safety. Thus, the central role of SIGMETs in aviation is to alert pilots to hazardous weather situations that could affect their flights.