Definition
An FAA designation for pilots who have completed specialized training in observing and reporting volcanic activity, particularly volcanic ash, to air traffic control and the National Weather Service. Skyspotter pilots provide structured Pilot Reports (PIREPs) that help other aircraft avoid hazardous volcanic ash encounters.
Plain English
A pilot who has been trained to spot and report volcanic ash and volcanic eruptions from the cockpit, so other pilots and weather services know to stay clear.
Context Anchor
Seen in aviation weather and pilot/controller glossary material, especially when pilot weather reports are being discussed.
Derivation
A plain compound of 'sky' and 'spotter.' A 'spotter' is someone trained to watch for and report something specific — the term has long been used in military and weather contexts (storm spotters, aircraft spotters). Here the spotting is done from the sky rather than the ground.
Why Pilots Care
Supplies real-time cockpit observations that improve the accuracy of forecasts and advisories used for flight planning and in-flight decisions.
Intuition Check
A Skyspotter is not just any person looking at the sky. In this aviation use, it means a pilot trained to observe and report useful in-flight weather information.
Example Sentence 1
As a Skyspotter, the captain filed a detailed PIREP describing the ash plume drifting east of the volcano at FL250.
Example Sentence 2
Skyspotter volunteers help fill radar coverage gaps by describing cloud tops and storm movement from altitude.