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The aviation weather exam study guide covers a comprehensive range of topics related to atmospheric conditions and their impact on aviation. It provides detailed explanations and answers to questions on the troposphere, air masses, pressure systems, wind patterns, cloud types, frontal systems, fog, thunderstorms, and aircraft icing. The guide is designed to help pilots and aviation professionals understand the complex meteorological factors that influence flight operations, enabling them to make informed decisions and ensure safe and efficient air travel. With its thorough coverage of key concepts and practical applications, this study guide is an invaluable resource for anyone preparing for an aviation weather exam or seeking to deepen their knowledge of this critical aspect of aviation.
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The lowest layer of the atmosphere is the ____ and is approximately ____ feet at the equator and ____ feet at the poles. ✔✔troposphere
60,000'
25,000'
What is the difference between dry air and natural air? ✔✔natural air contains water vapor and condensation nuclei
Name the two major conditions affecting atmospheric circulation: ✔✔uneven heating
rotation of the earth
Name one semi-permanent pressure (air mass) system that causes weather over the United States. ✔✔North American High (CP) or Bermuda High (MT) or Siberian High (MP)
One method of heat transfer is radiation. Define radiation: ✔✔transfer of heat by electromagnetic waves
What is the difference between convection and advection? ✔✔convection is the transfer of heat vertically via a gas; advection is the transfer of heat horizontally via the wind (gas).
What is the definition of an air mass? ✔✔a large body of air whose physical properties (temperature and moisture) are horizontally uniform
What does the air mass classification code "c" indicate? ✔✔the air mass was formed over land (continental)
What is the source region and temperature/moisture content of an mP air mass? ✔✔Maritime Polar (Atlantic or Pacific Oceans), cold/moist
Is an air mass designated cPk warmer or colder than the surface? ✔✔colder
Is a cPk air mass stable or unstable? ✔✔unstable
Define OLR: ✔✔observed lapse rate, the actual change in the air temperature with an increase in altitude
In what direction does the wind flow around a high pressure area in the northern hemisphere? ✔✔clockwise
How does the wind flow in relation to the isobars above the friction level (above 2,000' AGL) ✔✔parallel
What force modifies gradient force and causes the wind to flow parallel to the isobars above 2,000'? ✔✔coriolis
What force is evident at the surface that causes the wind to flow across the isobars? ✔✔friction
On the following diagrams draw the gradient and surface winds. ✔✔high pressure turns clockwise
low pressure turns counter-clockwise
Near the center of a high, the air tends to ____ and in a low it tends to ____. ✔✔sink, rise
State Buys Ballots Law: ✔✔in the northern hemisphere, with your back to the wind the are of lower pressure will be to your left
You are crabbing left to correct for a left crosswind, where is the area of lower pressure? ✔✔ahead of you
Water may exist in the atmosphere in three states; they are ____, ____, and ____. ✔✔vapor, liquid, solid
Define water vapor: ✔✔moisture in the form of an invisible gas
Water vapor in the atmosphere may begin to condense when the temperature/dew point spread is within ____ degrees. ✔✔2 degrees C
Define sublimination: ✔✔changing water vapor directly to ice or ice to water vapor
The dry adiabatic cooling rate is ____ degrees per thousand feet. ✔✔3 degrees C
Which of the clouds (of the 10 types) would have bases below 6,500'? ✔✔Cu, Cb, St, Ns, Sc
Define a front: ✔✔the boundary line between air masses of different densities
The four discontinuities across a frontal surface are: ✔✔temperature
dew point
pressure
wind direction
Which of the discontinuities would indicate to a pilot that the front has been penetrated while in flight? ✔✔temperature, wind shift
What is the primary cause of frontal weather? ✔✔lifting of warm moist air by cold air
Define a cold front and give its typical direction of movement: ✔✔the leading edge of an advancing mass of cold air; moves TO the southeast
If you take off in cold air behind a cold front and climb through the frontal sufrace, what will happen to the free air temperature? ✔✔FAT will decrease, increase, decrease
The typical width of the severe weather band with a cold front is ____ miles and it moves at an average speed of ____ knots. ✔✔50, 25
If a cold front is moving at a speed of 45 knots, what weather situation may form ahead of the front? ✔✔squall line
Define a warm front including its slope and direction of movement: ✔✔the trailing edge of a retreating cold air mass with an average slope of 1:200 and moves TO the northeast
Warm front weather occurs ____ the surface front and may extend for ____ miles. ✔✔ahead, 400 to 600
State the cloud sequence in order if you are approaching a stable warm front from the cold air side: ✔✔Ci, Cs, As, Ns, St
Name the three atmospheric conditions necessary for ALL fog formation: ✔✔high moisture content
condensation nuclei
a cooling action
For radiation fog, one additional factor is required, this is ____. ✔✔light wind (2-5 knots)
What weather condition may cause radiation fog not to form, yet this same condition may also delay its dissipation? ✔✔overcast sky (greenhouse effect)
What type of fog may form when warm moist air flows over a colder surface? ✔✔advection
____ fog is produced by adiabatic cooling. ✔✔upslope
In mountainous areas, what type of fog may form as a result of cold mountain air moving down slope? ✔✔valley fog
Name the three conditions necessary for a thunderstorm to form: ✔✔unstable air
lifting action
moisture
The two major categories of thunderstorms are ____ and ____. ✔✔air masses frontal
Convective and orographic thunderstorms are two examples of which type of thunderstorm? ✔✔air mass
Which of the two MAJOR types of thunderstorms (airmass or frontal) are the most dangerous to flying? ✔✔frontal
The three stages in the life cycle of a thunderstorm are: ✔✔cumulus mature dissipating
Which of the above stages is the most dangerous and when does its cycle begin? ✔✔mature; when precipitation begins to fall
The ____ stage of a thunderstorm has only updrafts and the ____ stage has only downdrafts. ✔✔cumulus, dissipating
The most hazardous icing conditions is known as ____ and would fe found under a warm front during the winter months. ✔✔freezing rain
What are the two most important conditions necessary in the formation of aircraft icing? ✔✔visible moisture
at or below-freezing temperatures
The three types of clouds that may form in a mountain wave condition are: ✔✔lenticular cap rotor
Of the three types of clouds, which would be the best visual indicator of a mountain wave? ✔✔lenticular
For helicopter flight, what is the most dangerous condition with a mountain wave? ✔✔clear air turbulence and downdrafts on the lee side of the mountain
What is the recommended flight procedure for crossing a mountain range if a wave condition is suspected? ✔✔cross at a 45 degree angle and as high as practical above mountain elevation. Remain clear of clouds
(84-116 done on practical exercise) ✔✔