Definition
A four-digit set of numbers used in aviation communications and reports to indicate a specific time, expressed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), where the first two digits represent the hour and the last two digits represent the minutes.
Plain English
A four-number block that tells you a time, written as hours and minutes in UTC (Zulu time). For example, 1430 means 14:30 UTC, or 2:30 PM Zulu.
Context Anchor
Seen in aviation weather reports, forecasts, notices, and other official aviation messages where time must be written briefly and unambiguously.
Derivation
“Time” comes from older English words meaning a measured period. “Group” here means a small set of characters kept together. In aviation, the term points to a set of numbers that together state one exact time.
Why Pilots Care
Keeps every pilot, controller, and dispatcher on the same clock so schedules and safety decisions stay coordinated.
Intuition Check
Do not read “TIME Group” as a general discussion of time. In this context, it means a specific four-digit block of numbers that states the hour and minute.
Example Sentence 1
The TAF showed a TIME group of 1800, meaning the forecast condition begins at 18:00 UTC.
Example Sentence 2
The pilot read the TIME GROUP on the weather report to confirm when the front would pass.