When should controllers solicit PIREPs?

Soliciting Pilot Reports (PIREPs) is a critical function for air traffic controllers as it helps in gathering real-time information about flight conditions, enhancing safety and efficiency in airspace management. The correct answer is that controllers should solicit PIREPs when one or more specified adverse conditions exist or are forecasted.

This is because PIREPs provide valuable data about conditions such as turbulence, icing, thunderstorms, and visibility o that might not be adequately captured by radar or other ground-based observations. By proactively soliciting these reports when adverse conditions are present or anticipated, controllers can better assess the overall flight environment and make informed decisions that prioritize the safety of all aircraft in the vicinity.

For instance, if there is a forecast of thunderstorms along a commonly used flight path, controllers can reach out to pilots to confirm the presence of these conditions based on firsthand experience. This leads to safer routing and can help prevent aircraft from inadvertently entering hazardous areas.

Other options miss the broader context necessary for effective air traffic management. For instance, solely relying on altitudes (as suggested in another option) might overlook important changes in conditions that can occur below or above those thresholds. Limiting requests to periods of severe weather alerts or only at the behest of air traffic managers could