Jonathan Goodish wrote:

In article ,
"Matt Barrow" wrote:

The problem with plain language (undecoded) is that I want the data, not
excess verbiage. I can look at a METAR and TAF and get ONLY the data,
which is a heck of a lot quicker than reading through some verbose plain
language translation.

CSC DUATs will provide plain language translations if you want, and it
seems to do a good job. Lots of wasted space for a little bit of
information, in my opinion.


Y DO U CAR WH FMT TS IN? :~)


Since you asked, I care because I want to brief quickly. I can look
down through a string of METARs and TAFs and get a weather picture
pretty quickly. If I had to read all of the excess verbiage on a plain
language briefing, it wouldn't be as quick or easy to put that picture
together.

The interesting point is that if you want your kids chat on IM or
similar, you will see shorthand very similar to the above and to what is
in our aviation weather reporst! And they use it for the same basic
reason that teletype adopted it decades ago. It is fast and efficient
and, if you know the codes/acronyms, just as clear as plain text. I
guess what goes around comes around...

Matt