Which statement about AWOS and ASOS is true?

• A. AWOS is more expensive than ASOS
• B. ASOS is FAA installed
• C. AWOS is cheaper; ASOS is FAA installed
• D. AWOS and ASOS are identical

Answer: (C)

In aviation weather systems, the important distinction is about cost and who installs the equipment. AWOS is a lower-cost automated observing system that airports can install themselves or have contracted, whereas ASOS is the automated system installed and maintained by the FAA to meet official aviation weather reporting standards. That combination—AWOS being cheaper to install and ASOS being FAA-installed—is what the statement captures.

The other options don’t fit as well: AWOS isn’t typically more expensive than ASOS, and while ASOS being FAA-installed is true, stating only that fact omits the cost/install aspect that makes the true statement complete. And AWOS and ASOS are not identical in purpose or installation.