What is the primary purpose of a PIREP?

The primary purpose of a PIREP, or Pilot Report, is to report meteorological conditions encountered during a flight. Pilots provide this information to help other pilots and air traffic controllers understand current weather circumstances, such as turbulence, cloud cover, visibility, icing conditions, and other significant weather phenomena that might affect flight safety and operations. This real-time data is crucial for both situational awareness and safety in aviation.

While other options present different aspects of aviation communication, they do not capture the essence of PIREPs. Requesting altitude changes is a standard traffic control communication not related to weather reporting. Informing pilots about aviation hazards can be part of various reporting systems but does not specifically fall under the primary purpose of PIREPs. Notifying ATC of air traffic delays is also a separate function, focusing on traffic management rather than weather conditions. Overall, the reporting of meteorological conditions is the fundamental role of PIREPs, making it essential for maintaining safety and efficiency in air travel.