**Surface Observation Inspection Guide**

**NWS Form B-32 (ASOS/AWOS Augmentation and Backup FAA (LAWRS, FSS,
AFSS), NF-OBS, FCWOS, NWS and NWSCMO)**

**Observing Facility:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

**Date of Visit:\_\_\_\_\_**

**Prepared by:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

**Instructions:** Use this guide during the inspection. Make entries and
remarks as required or necessary. File this with the station inspection
report WS Form B-33. N/A may be annotated anytime when item is
Non-Applicable.

**Ratings:**

The following Ratings may be indicated by a "**+**" :
**[E]{.underline}**xcellent (remarks required),
**[S]{.underline}**atisfactory, **[C]{.underline}**onditionally
**[U]{.underline}**nsatisfactory or a **[Y]{.underline}**es

The following Ratings may be indicated by a "**-**":
**[U]{.underline}**n**[S]{.underline}**atisfactory

**[C]{.underline}**onditionally **[U]{.underline}**nsatisfactory or a
**[N]{.underline}**o. Any element receiving a "-" Rating must have an
explanation for corrective action to be taken or recommended procedures
to follow.

+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Number range CHAPTER       | Ra   | Ra   | **Remarks Section**      |
| **Inspection Item**        | ting | ting |                          |
|                            |      |      |                          |
|                            | \+   | \-   |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| **1. Arrangement of        | Ra   | Ra   | Remarks                  |
| Facilities**               | ting | ting |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Location of observing site |      |      |                          |
| adequate for backup and    |      |      |                          |
| augmentation of automated  |      |      |                          |
| system? (If no, explain in |      |      |                          |
| remarks)                   |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Location of weather        |      |      |                          |
| sensors adequate?          |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Adequate safety devices    |      |      |                          |
| (sufficient lighting,      |      |      |                          |
| guardrails on stairs,      |      |      |                          |
| etc.)                      |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| **2. Pressure**            | Ra   | Ra   | Remarks                  |
|                            | ting | ting |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Type of Pressure           |      |      |                          |
| instrument used? (Aircraft |      |      |                          |
| altimeter, ASI, ASOS,      |      |      |                          |
| AWOS, aneroid instrument)  |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Comparisons of backup      |      |      |                          |
| instruments completed in   |      |      |                          |
| accordance with observing  |      |      |                          |
| handbooks                  |      |      |                          |
|                            |      |      |                          |
| (**No Grace Period**)      |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Condition of Instrument(s) |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Correct height of backup   |      |      |                          |
| Instrument Posted on or    |      |      |                          |
| near instrument.           |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Comparisons Properly       |      |      |                          |
| logged on                  |      |      |                          |
|                            |      |      |                          |
| MF1M-10 or FAA form        |      |      |                          |
| 7230-4.                    |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Backup Instruments         |      |      |                          |
| Installed Properly         |      |      |                          |
|                            |      |      |                          |
| (No Grace Period)          |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Backup Available (7 day    |      |      |                          |
| Grace Period)              |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Aneroid instruments        |      |      |                          |
| routinely compared         |      |      |                          |
|                            |      |      |                          |
| ( ) daily with each other  |      |      |                          |
| ( ) 3 times a week with    |      |      |                          |
| ramp aircraft.             |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Surveyed Height of         |      |      |                          |
| pressure sensor on file    |      |      |                          |
| with NWS?                  |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| All comparison corrections |      |      |                          |
| displayed at or near       |      |      |                          |
| DASI/ASI?                  |      |      |                          |
|                            |      |      |                          |
| (If not, instruct office   |      |      |                          |
| to post corrections)       |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Comparison satisfactory    |      |      |                          |
| with inspecting official's |      |      |                          |
| traveling standard?        |      |      |                          |
|                            |      |      |                          |
| ( 7 day Grace Period )     |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Pressure Reduction tables  |      |      |                          |
| satisfactory?              |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Backup Procedures clearly  |      |      |                          |
| understood by observers?   |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Other pressure instruments |      |      |                          |
| operated correctly         |      |      |                          |
| (specify in remarks).      |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| **3. Temperature and       | Ra   | Ra   | Remarks                  |
| Humidity**                 | ting | ting |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Temperature and dewpoint   |      |      |                          |
| instruments                |      |      |                          |
|                            |      |      |                          |
| properly functioning and   |      |      |                          |
| in good condition.         |      |      |                          |
|                            |      |      |                          |
| (30 day Grace Period (N/A  |      |      |                          |
| LAWRS))                    |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Dewpoint properly          |      |      |                          |
| computed?                  |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Temperature and Dewpoint   |      |      |                          |
| Data provided .            |      |      |                          |
|                            |      |      |                          |
| (30 day Grace Period (N/A  |      |      |                          |
| LAWRS))                    |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Condition of Backup        |      |      |                          |
| Instrument Shelter .       |      |      |                          |
| Adequate supplies (muslin  |      |      |                          |
| wicks, batteries, etc)?    |      |      |                          |
| (N/A LAWRS)                |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Location, general          |      |      |                          |
| condition and exposure of  |      |      |                          |
| instruments.               |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Temperature and dewpoint   |      |      |                          |
| backup provided for        |      |      |                          |
| automated systems? (N/A    |      |      |                          |
| LAWRS)                     |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| **4. Precipitation (N/A    | Ra   | Ra   | Remarks                  |
| LAWRS)**                   | ting | ting |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Condition of gage (8-inch, |      |      |                          |
| universal, etc.).          |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Condition of snowboard     |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Measuring stick.           |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Exposure of precipitation  |      |      |                          |
| measuring instruments.     |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Correct procedures used in |      |      |                          |
| measuring and identifying  |      |      |                          |
| precipitation.             |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| **5. Wind**                | Ra   | Ra   | Remarks                  |
|                            | ting | ting |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Method for determining     |      |      |                          |
| Direction and Speed        |      |      |                          |
| properly. ( Identify the   |      |      |                          |
| method in remarks, e.g.,   |      |      |                          |
| wind sock, flag, Beaufort  |      |      |                          |
| Scale , estimations, etc). |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Estimation Procedures      |      |      |                          |
| understood by Observers.   |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Gusts and Squalls          |      |      |                          |
| Understood by Observers.   |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Exposure of equipment.     |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Supports for equipment.    |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Speed recorded in knots    |      |      |                          |
| and accurate to within 10  |      |      |                          |
| %? (30 day Grace Period,   |      |      |                          |
| if equipment is required)  |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| True directions recorded   |      |      |                          |
| and accurate to within 10  |      |      |                          |
| degrees? (30 day Grace     |      |      |                          |
| Period, If equipment is    |      |      |                          |
| required)                  |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+

+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| **6. Ceiling**             | Ra   | Ra   | Remarks                  |
|                            | ting | ting |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| LBCs, balloons, ceiling    |      |      |                          |
| lights, clinometers in     |      |      |                          |
| satisfactory condition?    |      |      |                          |
| (N/A LAWRS)                |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Operation of equipment     |      |      |                          |
| understood.                |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Observational procedures   |      |      |                          |
| for backing up             |      |      |                          |
|                            |      |      |                          |
| automated equipment        |      |      |                          |
| followed.                  |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Helium available and       |      |      |                          |
| safely stored (where       |      |      |                          |
| balloons are in use). (N/A |      |      |                          |
| LAWRS)                     |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| **7. Other Equipment and   | Ra   | Ra   | Remarks                  |
| Procedures**               | ting | ting |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Aviation Service Level     |      |      |                          |
| responsibilities           |      |      |                          |
| understood.                |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| ASOS reference guides      |      |      |                          |
| available.                 |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| AWOS Users guide           |      |      |                          |
| available.                 |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Practice observations      |      |      |                          |
| taken.                     |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| ASOS OID and printer in    |      |      |                          |
| good condition.            |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| AWOS OT and printer in     |      |      |                          |
| good condition.            |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Proper Log on/log off      |      |      |                          |
| procedures followed for    |      |      |                          |
| ASOS.                      |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| WS form B-14 properly      |      |      |                          |
| completed.                 |      |      |                          |
|                            |      |      |                          |
| (NWS locations only)       |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Required telephone numbers |      |      |                          |
| available.                 |      |      |                          |
|                            |      |      |                          |
| (AOMC, supervising         |      |      |                          |
| station, etc.)             |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Location of ASOS ACU.      |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Location of Sunshine       |      |      |                          |
| switch (if required).      |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| A-1, A-3, and A5a forms up |      |      |                          |
| to date for station?       |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Procedures for reporting   |      |      |                          |
| RVR satisfactory.          |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Cooperator willing to make |      |      |                          |
| observations               |      |      |                          |
|                            |      |      |                          |
| available to other users.  |      |      |                          |
|                            |      |      |                          |
| (7 day Grace Period ).     |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Observers familiar with    |      |      |                          |
| visibility markers.        |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| All recorder charts        |      |      |                          |
| annotated as required by   |      |      |                          |
| Observing handbooks? (List |      |      |                          |
| recorder charts and        |      |      |                          |
| equipment).                |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+

+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| **8. Observational Aids    | Ra   | Ra   | Remarks                  |
| and Facilities**           | ting | ting |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Visibility charts          |      |      |                          |
| available                  |      |      |                          |
|                            |      |      |                          |
| (30 day Grace Period).     |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Visibility charts          |      |      |                          |
| accurate.                  |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Nighttime visibility       |      |      |                          |
| markers indicated?         |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Observers understand       |      |      |                          |
| correct procedures for     |      |      |                          |
| reporting and backing up   |      |      |                          |
| prevailing visibility for  |      |      |                          |
| ASOS.                      |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Table of Speci criteria    |      |      |                          |
| available and correct      |      |      |                          |
|                            |      |      |                          |
| Notify Region for ASOS     |      |      |                          |
| problems.                  |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Cloud Atlas or cloud       |      |      |                          |
| charts available.          |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| WSOH #7 current and        |      |      |                          |
| available                  |      |      |                          |
|                            |      |      |                          |
| (NWS locations).           |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| FAA Order 7900.5 current   |      |      |                          |
| and available              |      |      |                          |
|                            |      |      |                          |
| (FAA, FCWOS, NF-OBS        |      |      |                          |
| locations).                |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Other aids available       |      |      |                          |
| (Training guides, Users    |      |      |                          |
| Guides, station duty       |      |      |                          |
| manuals, reference guides, |      |      |                          |
| etc).                      |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| **9. Preparation of        |      |      |                          |
| Records**                  |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| 30 day review of           |      |      |                          |
| observations .             |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Observation records neat   |      |      |                          |
| and legible.               |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Local quality assurance of |      |      |                          |
| observations.              |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Corrections to             |      |      |                          |
| observations performed as  |      |      |                          |
| required?                  |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Is Tower Visibility        |      |      |                          |
| reported correctly?        |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Observations reported on   |      |      |                          |
| time?                      |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| AWOS/ASOS backup and       |      |      |                          |
| augmentations Procedures   |      |      |                          |
| followed correctly?        |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| How many observations      |      |      |                          |
| taken in your presence?    |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Were observations taken in |      |      |                          |
| your presence performed    |      |      |                          |
| adequately? If not         |      |      |                          |
| recommend training and     |      |      |                          |
| Notify Regional Office.    |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+

+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| **10. General**            |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Quality control of         |      |      |                          |
| observations conducted on  |      |      |                          |
| site.                      |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| All observers certified    |      |      |                          |
| and current.               |      |      |                          |
|                            |      |      |                          |
| (No Grace Period)          |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Examination of observing   |      |      |                          |
| certificates.              |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Adequate on the job        |      |      |                          |
| training for new           |      |      |                          |
| observers.                 |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Adequate arrangements for  |      |      |                          |
| notification of observers  |      |      |                          |
| in the event of an         |      |      |                          |
| aircraft mishap.           |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Station instructions       |      |      |                          |
| adequate for observing,    |      |      |                          |
| disseminating and quality  |      |      |                          |
| control of observations.   |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Training aides utilized.   |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Pilot reports utilized     |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Remarks encoded properly   |      |      |                          |
| when required.             |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Observers adequately       |      |      |                          |
| proficient                 |      |      |                          |
|                            |      |      |                          |
| (No Grace Period,          |      |      |                          |
| Immediate Decertification  |      |      |                          |
| after consultation with    |      |      |                          |
| Regional Office)           |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+
| Valid agreement in place?  |      |      |                          |
| (NF-OBS)                   |      |      |                          |
+----------------------------+------+------+--------------------------+

**Overall Rating:**

**Excellent:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Satisfactory:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

**Conditionally Unsatisfactory:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Unsatisfactory:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

Additional remarks: