# Winter Operations Reference Card

<span style="color: rgb(53, 152, 219);">AMERICAN VIRTUAL AIRLINES  /  FLIGHT SIMULATION USE ONLY</span>

#### **WINTER OPERATIONS REFERENCE CARD**

**01 NOV 2026   •   FLEETWIDE WEATHER REFERENCE**

##### **1.  Preflight weather scan**

<table id="bkmrk-metaroperational-mea" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-width: medium; border-style: none; border-color: currentcolor; border-image: none;"><colgroup><col style="width: 251.3pt;"></col><col style="width: 543px;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="background: rgb(14, 39, 73); width: 251.3pt; border: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt;">**METAR**

</td><td style="background: rgb(14, 39, 73); width: 251.3pt; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext currentcolor; border-image: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt;">**Operational meaning**

</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 251.3pt; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; border-color: currentcolor windowtext windowtext; border-image: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt;">SN / +SN

</td><td style="width: 251.3pt; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: currentcolor windowtext windowtext currentcolor; padding: 0in 5.4pt;">Snow / heavy snow

</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 251.3pt; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; border-color: currentcolor windowtext windowtext; border-image: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt;">FZRA / FZDZ

</td><td style="width: 251.3pt; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: currentcolor windowtext windowtext currentcolor; padding: 0in 5.4pt;">Freezing rain / freezing drizzle

</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 251.3pt; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; border-color: currentcolor windowtext windowtext; border-image: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt;">PL / GR / GS

</td><td style="width: 251.3pt; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: currentcolor windowtext windowtext currentcolor; padding: 0in 5.4pt;">Ice pellets / hail / small hail or snow pellets

</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 251.3pt; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; border-color: currentcolor windowtext windowtext; border-image: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt;">BLSN / DRSN

</td><td style="width: 251.3pt; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: currentcolor windowtext windowtext currentcolor; padding: 0in 5.4pt;">Blowing snow / drifting snow

</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 251.3pt; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; border-color: currentcolor windowtext windowtext; border-image: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt;">FG / FZFG

</td><td style="width: 251.3pt; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: currentcolor windowtext windowtext currentcolor; padding: 0in 5.4pt;">Fog / freezing fog

</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 251.3pt; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; border-color: currentcolor windowtext windowtext; border-image: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt;">RVR / runway condition

</td><td style="width: 251.3pt; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: currentcolor windowtext windowtext currentcolor; padding: 0in 5.4pt;">Use runway-specific observation, braking reports and performance inputs

</td></tr></tbody></table>

##### **2.  Holdover reference selection**

Use the current FAA 2026–2027 tables, not a fixed value on this card. FAA Table 57 assists in snowfall intensity determination by visibility; Type I tables distinguish predominately aluminum and composite critical surfaces. Type II/III/IV tables depend on particular fluid characteristics.

##### **3.  Restricted conditions**

Heavy snow, ice pellets, freezing rain and mixed precipitation require careful review of FAA table limitations. A red or “no HOT” table entry is not authorization to depart after an arbitrary interval. Apply only an authorized pathway or re-treat.

##### **4.  Taxi / takeoff / landing**

Check contamination on surfaces, taxiways and runway. Reassess braking and takeoff/landing distances using model-specific performance information. Account for deteriorating conditions, rejected-takeoff exposure, crosswind, alternate availability and diversion.

##### **5.  Reminders**

HOT begins with the start of final anti-icing application. Changes in precipitation and temperature matter. Clean-aircraft verification is a separate requirement. Type-specific FCOM/QRH controls engine anti-ice, wing anti-ice, flap positioning and engine run-up.

##### **6.  Reference index**

Attachment: FAA 2026–2027 HOT Tables. Supporting: FAA Ground Deicing Program General Information; AAVA Deice/Anti-Ice Procedures; aircraft-family Cold Weather Operations manuals.