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Station identifier prefix in the contiguous United States

Remote Pilot (Part 107) practice question 9 of 18 on Weather / Sources. ACS element UA.III.A.K1 · difficulty: recall. Want to answer it in a timed quiz? Use the Remote Pilot (Part 107) practice mode.

Question bank updated 2026-09-22

QUESTIONIn a METAR for an airport in the 48 contiguous states, how is the four-letter ICAO station identifier formed?

  1. AThe letter K before the airport identifier
  2. BThe letters PA before the airport identifier
  3. CThe letter N, the United States country code
Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. The letter K before the airport identifier

  • A — correct In the 48 contiguous states the unique three-letter airport identifier is preceded by the letter K, which is the country designation, as in KGGG.
  • B — incorrect Identifiers beginning with PA are used for Alaska, not the contiguous states.
  • C — incorrect The study guide gives K as the country designation for the contiguous United States; N is not used for this purpose.

BACKGROUND

The station identifier in a METAR is a four-letter code established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). In the 48 contiguous states, a unique three-letter identifier is preceded by the letter K; for example, Gregg County Airport in Longview, Texas, is KGGG, where K is the country designation and GGG is the airport identifier. In other regions of the world, including Alaska and Hawaii, the first two letters indicate the region, country, or state. Alaska identifiers always begin with PA and Hawaii identifiers always begin with PH.

STUDY TIP

Associate K with the contiguous states, PA with Alaska, and PH with Hawaii. The same identifier is used in both the METAR and the TAF for a given station.

KEY POINTS

  • METAR station identifiers are four-letter ICAO codes.
  • Contiguous United States: K plus the three-letter airport identifier.
  • Alaska begins with PA; Hawaii begins with PH.

SOURCES

  • remote_pilot_study_guide.txt, Chapter 3a "Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR)", item 2 Station identifier
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MORE ON WEATHER / SOURCES

SkyDrill is not affiliated with the FAA. This is an original practice item based on 14 CFR part 107, 14 CFR part 89, and the FAA Remote Pilot – Small UAS Study Guide (FAA-G-8082-22). Regulations and handbooks are revised; confirm details against the current edition.