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4.4.3 Practice Module for Editing Text Products

Objective 1 - Edit a Text Product

Load a text product into one of the Text Display Windows.

1. Press the Enter Editor Button in the Control Bar to initiate an editing session.

2. An Header Block Dialog Box appears. Verify that the information is correct and click the Enter button.

3. Highlight a line of text and press the Cut button in the Control Bar.

4. Put the cursor at a different location in the text product and click the Paste button. The highlighted text is inserted at the cursor.

5. Try some of the other edit functions, which perform much like WordPerfect.

6. When you are done practicing with the Text Editor, click the Cancel button to end your editing session.

Module 18: Executing the Aviation Programs on AWIPS

There are three programs on AWIPS to generate the TAF and the TWB aviation products: Create TAF/TWB Templates, Transmit TAF, Transmit TWB. The first program creates template files that you can edit. The latter two programs format the work TAF and TWB products. When you run these programs, messages are provided that give directions as to how to correct any problems.

Objective 1 - Create TAF/TWB Templates

Executing this program creates blank template files for use in preparing TAF and TWB products. The program should be run before beginning the writing of each routine TAF issuance.

1. From the Tools pull-down menu in a Text Window, select the Create TAF/TWB templates option. Execution takes a couple of seconds with output in CCCWRKTAF and CCCWRKTWB, where CCC is the AFOS node site.

Notes:

• Executing this program creates both the CCCWRKTAF and CCCWRKTWB work files simultaneously. They are not transmitted, but stored in the local AWIPS database. The site manager must provide the information for the template files, including such things as "AMD NOT SKED AFT 03Z=,NIL=," etc.

• The program automatically takes daylight and standard time into account.

This objective gives instructions on how to perform a routine TAF issuance. In general, you use the AWIPS Text Editor to edit the blank template created by Create TAF/TWB Templates, which were generated in Objective 1.

1. In a Text Window AFOS Command entry box, type CCCWRKTAF (or CCCWRKTWB), where CCC is your node. You should have generated this product in Objective 1.

2. Fill out the header block with CCCWRKTAF (or CCCWRKTWB) and select NOR as the normal message type.

3. While entering the TAFs (TWBs) into the work file, you need not (but may) adhere to any of the formatting guidelines, issuance times, or valid times listed in WSOM Chapter D-31 for TAFs (WSOM Chapter D-30 for TWBs). Simply enter the forecast information, adhering to all rules that govern this (correct ceiling heights, allowable visibilities, no PROB groups in first 6 hours, etc.). The program does little in the way of quality control of these items, but performs all of the correct formatting (line indents, breaking sentences at Functional Manager (FM) groups, etc.).

4. If there are multiple TAFs (TWBs) in the work file, each TAF (TWB) must be preceded by a (pipe) and ended with an = (equal sign). The Accum check button should be on.

(Keep in mind you cannot mix TAFs and TWBs in the same work file bin.)

The format can be free-form; the only stipulation is that each line be less than 80 characters long. There is no need to change the valid and issuance times, as the program changes these as needed.

5. Go to Objective 5 for information on how to transmit the TAF (TWB).

Objective 3 - Create a Routine CCCWRKTAF Outside of Transmission Window

If you miss the transmission window, follow the procedures in Objective 2, except in Step 2, when filling out the header block, select SPL as the message type. This allows a regular issuance to occur outside the transmission window. Do not select RTD in this case as the file that keeps track of amendments, and such does not get properly initialized.

Objective 4 - Create a Nonroutine CCCWRKTAF (or CCCWRKTWB)

This objective describes how to issue a nonroutine TAF (or TWB) whether it be an Amendment, a Correction, or a Routine Delayed (RTD). However, keep in mind that TWBs cannot be RTD.

1. Call up the appropriate TAF (or TWB) on the AWIPS Test Display and enter the Text Editor.

2. Fill out the header block with CCCWRKTAF (or CCCWRKTWB) and then select the appropriate message type (AMD, RTD, COR) in the header block.

3. Once in the Text Editor you only need to write the meteorological forecast in the periods that are still valid. That is, remove all forecast periods that are no longer in effect, and update the remaining forecasts as necessary.

Notes:

• Corrections need to contain the entire forecast, even if part of the forecast is no longer valid.

• There is no need to adjust the format, the issuance time, or valid time as the program does this all for you.

• There is no need to enter the AAA, CCE, RRB, or whatever in the WMO line. Just write the meteorological forecast and the program does the rest.

• If you are amending, correcting, or issuing a delayed TAF (TWB) for only a single station, there is no need to put the and = into the forecast.

• If multiple TAFs (TWBs) are being amended, RTD or corrected simultaneously, follow the instructions above but remember that each TAF must be preceded by a (pipe) and ended with an = (equal sign).

Executing this program takes the information in CCCWRKTAF (or CCCWRKTWB), properly formats it in accordance with WSOM Chapter D-31 for TAFs (WSOM Chapter D-30 for TWBs), stores the output in the appropriate product(s) in the AWIPS database, transmits the appropriate product and either creates or updates a disk file containing information on amendments, corrections, and RTDs (transmit TAF only).

1. On the Text Display, load the CCCWRKTAF (CCCWRKTWB) that edited in Objectives 2, 3, or 4.

2. In a Text Window, open the Tools pull-down menu and select the Transmit TAF (TWB) option. The Transcript TAF Dialog Box opens which contains execution information and any error messages.

To regain control of the window, be sure to close this dialog box upon completion of execution.

3. For the routine TAF issuances, you need to run this program during the transmission window HH+20 to HH+40, where HH=00, 06, 12, 18 UTC. Refer to Objective 3 if you miss this window.

The window actually allows for some slack, extending to the top of the hour, that is, the beginning of the valid period of the TAF. For the routine TWB issuances, you need to run this program during the transmission window. HH+30 to HH+40, where HH=00, 06, 12, 18 UTC.

Unlike the Transmit TAF Program, if you miss the window, nothing special needs be done with the header block to transmit routine TWBs outside of the transmission window.

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