What type of reports do pilots provide through PIREPS?

Pilots provide PIREPS, or Pilot Reports, primarily to communicate weather observations encountered during flight. These reports cover a range of information such as turbulence, icing conditions, cloud cover, and visibility, which are critical for operational decisions and safety for other pilots and air traffic controllers.

The information gathered and reported through PIREPS is vital in enhancing the situational awareness of all aircraft in the vicinity, ensuring that flight operations can be adjusted as needed to maintain safety and efficiency. By sharing firsthand observations, pilots contribute to a shared pool of knowledge that informs future flights, air traffic control decisions, and overall aviation safety protocols.

Other report types, like technical data or maintenance issues, although important in their contexts, do not fall under the purview of PIREPS. Flight operation adjustments might rely on PIREPS but do not represent the content that pilots provide through these specific reports.