Which document provides current forecast data for flight planning?

• A. NOTAMs
• B. Weather briefing
• C. Aircraft maintenance log
• D. Navigation chart

Answer: (B)

Forecast data for flight planning comes from a weather briefing. A weather briefing brings together current observations and forecasts for your route and estimated flight time, so you can anticipate conditions you’ll encounter. It includes items like winds and temperatures aloft, ceilings and visibility, precipitation, and significant weather such as thunderstorms or icing regions. It also provides forecast products such as TAFs (local area forecasts) and METARs/FA winds aloft, plus any SIGMETs or AIRMETs that could affect your flight. This information helps you decide when to depart, what altitude to fly at, whether to alter the route, and if you need an alternate plan or extra fuel.

NOTAMs convey current notices about airspace, airports, or procedures that may affect flight operations, but they don’t provide forecast weather data. The maintenance log documents airworthiness and maintenance history, not weather. The navigation chart shows static navigation information like airways and navaids, not forecast data.