Meteorology 001
Meteorology 001
The Atmosphere:
Composition, extent, vertical division
Temperature
Atmospheric Pressure
Atmospheric Density
International Standard Atmosphere (ISA)
Altimetry
Wind:
Definition and measurement
Primary cause of wind
General Circulation
Turbulence
Variation in winds with height
Local Winds
Jet Streams
Standing waves
Thermodynamics:
Humidity
Change of State of aggregation
Adiabatic process
Precipitation:
Development of precipitation
Types of precipitation
Pressure Systems:
Location of principle pressure areas
Anticyclones
Non-Frontal Depressions
Tropical Revolving Storm
Climatology:
Climatic Zone
Tropical Climatology
Typical weather situations in mid-latitudes
Local seasonal weather and wind
Flight Hazards:
Icing
Turbulence
Thunderstorms
Tornadoes
Low and high level inversion
Hazards in mountainous area
Visibility reducing phenomena
Meteorological information:
Observation
Weather charts
Information of flight planning:
The Atmosphere:
Composition, extent, vertical division:
Fog and cloud formation takes place by:
A) Condensation.
B) Evaporation
C) Sublimation.
D) None of the above.
What is the most likely temperature at the tropical tropopause?
A) -75° C.
B) -25° C.
C) -35° C.
D) -55° C.
You observe the altimeter in a parked aircraft shortly before an active cold front passes. What does
the altimeter indicate?
A) It increases.
B) It decreases.
C) It is not affected by a pressure change.
D) The pressure changes are very small and therefore, there is no visible
change of the indication.
You intend to overfly a mountain ridge at an altitude of 15000 ft AMSL. The average air temperature is
15° C lower than ISA, the sea level pressure 1003 hPa. Which altimeter indication (standard setting)
is needed?
A) 13830 ft.
B) 16170 ft.
C) 15630 ft.
D) 14370 ft.
The amount of water vapour which air can hold largely depends on:
A) relative humidity.
B) stability of air.
C) air temperature.
D) dew point.
The percent by volume of the gases to be found in the atmosphere is distributed according to size as
follows:
A) less oxygen than carbon dioxide.
B) more nitrogen than oxygen.
C) less nitrogen than water vapour.
D) more oxygen than nitrogen.
Lines connecting points of equal pressure are called:
A) Agonic.
B) Isobars.
C) Barometric.
D) Isogonic lines.
You observe the altimeter in a parked aircraft shortly after an active cold front has passed. What does
the altimeter indicate?
A) It decreases.
B) It increases.
C) It is not affected by a pressure change.
D) The pressure changes are very small and therefore, there is no visible change of the indication.
Which air mass can be related to thunderstorms during summer in Central Europe?
A) Continental tropical air.
B) Maritime polar air.
C) Maritime tropical air.
D) Continental equatorial air.
Going from the equator to the north pole, the altitude of the tropopause:
A) increases and its temperature decreases.
B) increases and its temperature increases.
C) decreases and its temperature increases.
D) decreases and its temperature decreases.
The thickness of the troposphere varies with:
A) latitude.
B) rotation of the earth.
C) longitude.
D) the wind.
What, approximately, is the average height of the tropopause over the equator?
A) 11 km.
B) 16 km.
C) 8 km.
D) 40 km.
The height and the temperature of the tropopause are respectively in the order of:
A) 16 km and -40° C over the poles.
B) 8 km and -40° C over the equator.
C) 8 km and - 75° C over the poles.
D) 16 km and -75° C over the equator.
The tropopause is lower:
A) south of the equator than north of it.
B) over the equator than over the South Pole.
C) over the North Pole than over the equator.
D) in summer than winter in moderate latitudes.
The percentage concentration of gases in the atmosphere is constant from the surface of the earth to
a certain altitude with the exception of:
A) hydrogen.
B) nitrogen.
C) water vapour.
D) oxygen.
Which of the following statements concerning the conditions in the lower part of the atmosphere is
correct?
A) In the lower part of the stratosphere the temperature decreases with on
an average 2° C per 1.000 ft.
B) That part where the temperature on an average decreases with height is
called the tropopause.
C) The troposphere has a larger vertical extension when the average
temperature is low.
D) The tropopause is lower during the winter than in summer.
Which process in an air mass lead to NS-AS-ST clouds?
A) Sublimation.
B) Evaporation.
C) Lifting.
D) The presence of a high pressure area.
The changes of state of water are known as:
A) freezing, liquidation, evaporation, sublimation, condensation.
B) melting, freezing, sublimation, vaporization, condensation.
C) evaporation, freezing, sublimation, vaporization, melting.
D) liquidation, freezing, evaporation, sublimation, melting.
What is the tropopause?
A) The layer between the troposphere and stratosphere.
B) The boundary between the troposphere and stratosphere.
C) Where temperature increases with height.
D) Upper boundary to C.A.T.
What is the average temperature of the tropical tropopause?
A) -65° C.
B) -75° C.
C) -56,5° C.
D) -40° C.
The boundary layer between troposphere and stratosphere is called:
A) Tropopause.
B) Atmosphere.
C) Ionosphere.
D) Stratopause.
41. You cruise at FL 200 and notice an OAT of -35° C. The airmass has therefore an average
temperature which is...
A) 10° C colder than ISA.
B) 5° C warmer than ISA.
C) 20° C colder than ISA.
D) 5° C colder than ISA.
The troposphere is:
A) deepest over the poles.
B) shallowest over the poles in summer.
C) deepest over the equator.
D) the same depth all over the earth.
In the mid-latitudes the stratosphere extends on an average from:
A) 11 to 50 km.
B) 0 to 11 km.
C) 50 to 85 km.
D) 85 to more than 200 km.
The troposphere:
A) reaches the same height at all latitudes.
B) is the separation layer between the stratosphere and atmosphere.
C) has a greater vertical extent above the equator than above the poles.
D) contains all oxygen of the stratosphere.
What is relative humidity?
A) The actual water vapour content in the air given in per cent.
B) A term used to indicate the presence of water vapour, or moisture, in the
air.
C) The possible saturated water vapour content at a given temperature,
given in per cent.
D) The ratio of the actual water vapour content in the air to the saturated
water vapour content of the air at a given temperature.
The unit of pressure most commonly used in meteorology is:
A) kg /cm2.
B) hPa.
C) lbs/inch2.
D) tons/m2.
What is the temperature decrease in the ISA?
A) 0,65° C/1000 ft
B) 0,65° C/100 m
C) 2° C/100 m
D) 1° C/100 m
Which statement is true concerning the tropopause from the equator to the poles?
A) The tropopause increases, the tropopause temperature increases.
B) The tropopause decreases, the tropopause temperature increases.
C) The tropopause increases, the tropopause temperature decreases.
D) The tropopause decreases, the tropopause temperature decreases.
Which one of the following statements applies to the tropopause?
A) It separates the troposphere from the stratosphere.
B) It indicates a strong temperature lapse rate.
C) It is, by definition, a temperature inversion.
D) It is, by definition, an isothermal layer.
The danger of experiencing fog is greatest when:
A) dew point temperature is high.
B) dew point temperature is low.
C) there is great dispersion.
D) there is little dispersion.
The average heights of the tropopause and Stratopause are:
A) 11km; 50km.
B) 36,090m; 20km.
C) 11km; 20km.
D) 5km; 50km.
Define the tropopause:
A) A relatively thick layer or boundary zone below the troposphere.
B) That area where the temperature change does not exceed two-thirds of
one degree Celsius per thousand foot increase in altitude independent of
latitude.
C) That area where the temperature change does not exceed two-thirds of
one degree Celsius per thousand foot increase in altitude over a range of
6000 feet.
D) A relatively thin layer, or boundary zone, which separates the lower
atmosphere from the tropopause.
The temperature is -15° C on an airport 3000 ft above mean sea level. Which of the following
statements is correct?
A) QFF = QNH
B) QNH = QFE
C) QFF > QNH
D) QFF = QFE
What can be said about the temperature in the lower stratosphere?
A) The temperature is increasing.
B) The temperature is constant.
C) The temperature is first increasing and then decreasing.
D) The temperature is decreasing.
An aircraft is flying on a constant heading with left drift in the northern hemisphere, maintaining a
constant indicated pressure altitude. Which of the following is true?
A) It is likely to be climbing relative to the surface.
B) It is likely to be descending relative to the surface.
C) None of the above
D) It is likely to be maintaining a constant distance relative to the surface.
Average seasonal tropopause heights would be:
A) Latitude 25; winter :FL500; summer :FL250
B) Latitude 25; winter :FL250; summer :FL400
C) Latitude 55; winter :FL500; summer :FL250
D) Latitude 55; winter :FL250; summer :FL350
The international standard atmosphere (ISA)is defined for mean sea level as:
A) 1013.25 hPa, 15° C, a temperature lapse rate of 1.98° C per 1000 ft. and
a density of 1.225 kg/m3.
B) 1015.25 hPa, 15° C, with a lapse rate of 1.98° C per 1000 ft.
C) 1015.25 hPa, 15° C, and a density of 1.225 kg/m3.
D) 1013.25 hPa, 15° C, a temperature lapse rate of 1.98° C per 1000 ft. and
a humidity of 5%.
The lowest layer in the atmosphere is:
A) the Ionosphere.
B) the Mesosphere.
C) the Stratosphere.
D) the Troposphere.
The tropopause at 50N is:
A) higher in the winter, lower in the summer.
B) lower in the winter, higher in the summer.
C) higher in the winter than at the Equator.
D) higher in the summer than at the Equator.
Which feature is associated with the tropopause?
A) Abrupt change of temperature lapse rate.
B) None of the above.
C) Absolute upper limit of cloud formation.
D) Absence of wind and turbulence.
61. When the altimeter indicated 0 (zero) ft when the aircraft was parked for the night, and 1000 ft
the following morning, this shows that:
A) a formation of fog has most probably taken place.
B) the barometric pressure has increased by approx. 37 hPa.
C) the barometric pressure is constant, but the temperature has fallen
during the night.
D) the barometric pressure has decreased by approx. 37 hPa.
The height of the tropopause varies with the seasons and in the N Hemisphere is:
A) higher in winter.
B) higher in summer.
C) higher in spring and autumn.
D) lower in summer.
What is the average height of the Tropopause at the equator?
A) 11000m.
B) 16000m.
C) 5000m.
D) 3000m.
In spite of a constant altimeter reading your aircraft is loosing altitude. This could be caused by:
A) Flying towards low pressure.
B) Increased temperature.
C) The standard air pressure has fallen.
D) Flying towards high pressure.
The troposphere is the:
A) boundary between the stratosphere and the mesosphere.
B) boundary between the mesosphere and thermosphere.
C) part of the atmosphere below the tropopause.
D) part of the atmosphere above the stratosphere.
Clear ice is most often experienced, when the outside temperature is:
A) 0° to minus 20° C.
B) 0° to minus 5° C.
C) Minus 5° to minus 10° .
D) Minus 5° to plus 5° .
Which layer of the atmosphere contains more than 90 per cent of all water vapour?
A) Ionosphere.
B) Lower stratosphere.
C) Upper stratosphere.
D) Troposphere.
Atmospheric water can exist at temperatures between:
A) +100° C to -5° C
B) +3° C to -5° C
C) +100° C to -40° C
D) +100° C to 0° C
The maximum water in the air depends on the following:
A) None of the above
B) Density
C) Cloud type
D) Temperature
Which layer of the atmosphere contains more than 90 % of the total amount of water vapour?
A) Lower stratosphere.
B) Ionosphere.
C) Troposphere.
D) Higher stratosphere.
You are cruising at FL 200, OAT -40° C, sea level pressure 1033 hPa. Calculate the true altitude:
A) 20660 ft.
B) 18260 ft.
C) 19340 ft.
D) 21740 ft.
Where do you find the majority of the air within atmosphere?
A) Troposphere.
B) Mesosphere.
C) Tropopause.
D) Stratosphere.
Flight path A - B, altimeter setting 1013,2
hPa:
A) Your true altitude is greater in
B than in A.
B) The wind speed is greater in B
than in A.
C) The wind speed is equal in A
and in B.
D) Your true altitude is greater in
A than in B.
Why are indications about the height of the tropopause not essential for flight documentation in the
tropics?
A) The meteorological services are unable to provide such a chart.
B) The tropopause is generally well above the flight level actually flown.
C) The temperatures of the tropical tropopause are always very cold and
therefore not important.
D) Tropopause information’ s are of no value.
Which statement is true?
A) Air density generally decreases as altitude increases.
B) Air density generally stays the same as altitude increases.
C) None of the above.
D) Air density generally increases as altitude increases.
Which of the following statements is true:
A) the dew point can only be higher than, or equal to the air temperature.
B) the dew point remains constant if no water vapour is added or
subtracted.
C) the dew point of a sample of air varies with the temperature of the
sample.
D) air cooled without vapour being added or subtracted will never reach its
dew point.
Which of the following is untrue regarding the importance of the tropopause:
A) clear air turbulence is often most severe there.
B) air temperature starts to fall severely above the tropopause.
C) it is the upper limit of most visible weather.
D) maximum winds are found there.
What enhances the growth rate of precipitation?
A) Temperature inversions.
B) Advective action.
C) Upward currents.
D) Cyclonic movement.
FL 80, an OAT +06° C is measured. What will the temperature be at FL 130, if you consider the
temperature gradient of the Standard Atmosphere?
A) -4° C
B) +2° C
C) 0° C
D) -6° C
Which conditions result in the formation of frost?
A) Temperature of the collecting surface is below the dew point of
surrounding air and the dew point is colder than freezing.
B) The temperature of the collecting surface is at or below freezing and
small droplets of moisture are falling.
C) None of the above is correct.
D) When dew forms and the temperature is below freezing.
81. The atmosphere is composed of some 20 different gases. They are part of the troposphere
everywhere in fixed proportions with one important exception, namely:
A) Water vapour.
B) Nitrogen.
C) Oxygen.
D) Hydrogen.
A line on a chart joining places of equal sea level pressure is called an:
A) Isobar.
B) Agonic line.
C) Isagona.
D) Isogonal.
An aircraft cruises at FL 100 in an airmass, which is 10° C warmer than the Standard Atmosphere. The
OAT is therefore...
A) +5° C.
B) +15° C.
C) -10° C.
D) -15° C.
While mountain flying on a warm summer day under high pressure conditions, you circle a mountain
of known height at peak elevation. Comparing to the indication of your altimeter, the peak elevation
will therefore be...
A) lower.
B) can not be determined.
C) equal.
D) higher.
When ice changes directly to water vapour, latent heat is ... and is called...
A) released; vaporization.
B) absorbed; vaporization.
C) absorbed; sublimation.
D) released; sublimation.
What is the approximate composition of the dry air by volume in the troposphere?
A) 88 % oxygen, 9 % nitrogen, and the rest other gasses.
B) 21 % oxygen, 78 % nitrogen, and the rest other gasses.
C) 50 % oxygen, 40 % nitrogen, and the rest other gasses.
D) 10 % oxygen, 89 % nitrogen, and the rest other gasses.
What can be said about isobars?
A) Isobars show wind speeds around a jet stream area.
B) Isobars are lines of equal temperature.
C) Certain information can be depicted with the isobars on upper level
charts.
D) Isobars appear on meteorological surface charts.
What is the ISA temperature at FL 110?
A) -7° C.
B) +7° C.
C) 0° C.
D) -5° C.
The main constituents of the atmosphere are:
A) Oxygen, Hydrogen, Carbon Dioxide, Xenon.
B) Nitrogen, Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide, Argon.
C) Sulphur Dioxide, Carbon Dioxide, Particulates.
D) Nitrogen, Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide, Ozone.
How is wind measured?
A) 2 m above the ground on a mast with an anemometer.
B) 2 m above the ground in a weather shelter.
C) 8-10 m above the ground on a mast with a pluviometer.
D) 8-10 m above the ground on a mast with an anemometer.
A temperature increase with altitude through a layer is called:
A) An inversion.
B) Unstable air.
C) Heating aloft.
D) An extension.
If you fly into rain which freezes on impact?
A) Temperatures are above freezing at some higher altitude.
B) You have flown through a cold front.
C) You have flown into an area of thunderstorms.
D) If you descend, you will fly out of the icing condition.
What feature is associated with a temperature inversion?
A) Air mass thunderstorms.
B) An unstable layer of air.
C) A stable layer of air.
D) Turbulence.
While flying at FL 120, you notice an OAT of -2° C. At which altitude do you expect the freezing level
to be?
A) FL 130
B) FL 110
C) FL 150
D) FL 90
The layer of the atmosphere above the tropopause is known as the:
A) stratosphere.
B) ionosphere.
C) troposphere.
D) mesosphere.
The majority of troposphere heating is the result of:
A) Re-radiation from the clouds.
B) Radiation of the sun.
C) Heating from the ground below.
D) Re-radiation of the sun's rays from the surface of the earth.
The layer of the Earth’ s atmosphere which most concerns aviators is called the:
A) Troposphere.
B) Equatorial zone.
C) Stratosphere.
D) Tropopause.
The observed temperature at the surface is 11° C. This can be described as:
A) ISA -4.
B) ISA +11.
C) ISA.
D) ISA +4.
A wind that has changed clockwise in direction can be said to have:
A) Veered.
B) Shifted.
C) Backed.
D) Reduced.
The average height of the tropopause at 50° N is about:
A) 16 km.
B) 14 km.
C) 11 km.
D) 8 km.
101. In the northern hemisphere, the Coriolis force deflects air to:
A) The left.
B) none of the above
C) Does not deflect the air at all.
D) The right.
How does the height of the tropopause normally vary with latitude in the northern hemisphere?
A) It decreases from south to north.
B) It increases from south to north.
C) It remains constant throughout the year.
D) It remains constant from north to south.
An air mass is a body of air that:
A) has extensive turbulence associated with it.
B) has similar cloud formations associated with it.
C) covers an extensive area and has fairly uniform properties of temperature and moisture.
D) creates a wind shift as it moves across the Earth's surface.
An aircraft cruises at FL 300 in an airmass, which is 15° C warmer than the Standard Atmosphere. The
OAT is therefore...
A) -60° C.
B) -45° C.
C) -15° C.
D) -30° C.
A parcel of air is said to be saturated if it has a relative humidity of:
A) 100 %.
B) Greater than 90 %.
C) 50 %.
D) Greater than 80 %.
The tropopause is a level at which:
A) pressure remains constant.
B) water vapour content is greatest.
C) vertical currents are strongest.
D) temperature ceases to fall with increasing height.
An OAT of -55° C at the 200 hPa pressure level:
A) is high.
B) is low.
C) is almost impossible.
D) equals approximately (+/-5° C) ISA.
The rate at which descending unsaturated air is heated is about:
A) 1.5° C per 100 m.
B) 1.5° C per 1000 ft.
C) 3° C per 100 m.
D) 3° C per 1000 ft.
At sea level, the pressure of the atmosphere on a standard day will cause the mercury in the column
to rise to:
A) 92.29 inches.
B) 19.19 inches.
C) 29.92 inches.
D) 29.29 inches.
What is dynamic pressure?
A) Pressure caused by movement.
B) Turbulence.
C) Acceleration force.
D) Centrifugal force.
In relation to air density which of the following responses are correct?
A) Cold air is less dense than warm air.
B) If the temperature is decreasing the air density will decrease.
C) Dry warm air is less dense than cold air.
D) Air density is not influenced of air humidity.
Half the mass of the atmosphere is found in the first:
A) 11 km
B) 8 km
C) 5 km
D) 3 km
What of the following is the most important constituent in the atmosphere from a weather stand-
point?
A) Water vapour.
B) Hydrogen.
C) Nitrogen.
D) Oxygen.
The region of the atmosphere which is normally stable and has few clouds is known as the:
A) Troposphere.
B) Tropopause.
C) Stratosphere.
D) Jet stream.
FL 160, an OAT -22° C is measured. What will the temperature be at FL 90, if you consider the
temperature gradient of the Standard Atmosphere?
A) -8° C
B) +4° C
C) -4° C
D) 0° C
Relative humidity relates to:
A) both b and c.
B) the amount of water vapour present in warm air compared to cold air.
C) the degree of saturation.
D) actual water vapour present to what could be present.
You are cruising at FL 160 and notice an OAT of -27° C. The sea level pressure is 1003 hPa. Your true
altitude therefore is...
A) 16370 ft.
B) 15630 ft.
C) 16910 ft.
D) 15090 ft.
Temperature:
What is 32° F in K?
A) 305K
B) 241K
C) 0K
D) 273K
The time of maximum temperature is:
A) early evening.
B) late morning.
C) approximately 2 hours after local noon.
D) local noon.
From which of the following pieces of information can the stability of the atmosphere be derived?
A) Dry adiabatic lapse rate.
B) Pressure at the surface.
C) Environmental lapse rate.
D) Surface temperature.
What do the Met Service mean by the term subsidence?
A) Adiabatic cooling.
B) Horizontal motion of air.
C) Vertical down draught of air
D) Vertical up draught of air.
When in the upper part of a layer warm air is advected the:
A) wind speed will always decrease with increasing height in the northern hemisphere.
B) wind will back with increasing height in the northern hemisphere.
C) stability decreases in the layer.
D) stability increases in the layer.
It is possible for temperature to increase with height. This is know as:
A) a steep lapse rate.
B) an isothermal layer.
C) a temperature conversion.
D) an inversion.
Which cloud, normally found in the medium level, may extend to the low and high levels?
A) CI.
B) NS.
C) CU.
D) AC.
What will be the classification of high level clouds and where will the base be:
A) above 16 500ft, Nimbus.
B) above 16 500ft, Cirriform.
C) above 14 000ft, Nimbus.
D) above 16 500ft, Cumuliform.
The temperature at the surface is 15 C, the temperature at 1000m is 13 C. Is the atmosphere...
A) cannot tell.
B) conditionally unstable.
C) stable.
D) unstable.
If one kilo of a substance has a higher specific heat than one kilo of another substance, then after the
same time exposure to direct sunlight the first substance will be at:
A) a higher temperature.
B) a lower temperature.
C) it will be impossible to forecast.
D) the same temperature.
Which cloud type may extend from low to high level (vertical development)?
A) CB
B) CI
C) NS
D) AC
The sun emits ... radiation at ... intensity and the earth emits ... at relatively ... intensity.
A) longwave, low, shortwave, high
B) longwave, high, shortwave, low
C) shortwave, high, longwave, low
D) longwave, low, shortwave, high
The temperature at FL 160 is -22° C. What will the temperature be at FL 90 if the ICAO standard lapse
rate is applied?
A) -4° C.
B) +4° C.
C) -8° C.
D) 0° C.
A temperature of 15° C is recorded at an altitude of 500 metres above sea level. If the vertical
temperature gradient is that of a standard atmosphere, what will the temperature be at the summit of
a mountain, 2500 metres above sea level?
A) +4° C.
B) -2° C.
C) +2° C.
D) 0° C.
The value of the saturated adiabatic lapse rate is closest to that of the dry adiabatic lapse rate in:
A) cumulus.
B) cirrus.
C) freezing fog.
D) stratus.
While forming rime ice in flight, water droplets freeze...
A) rapidly and spread out extensively.
B) rapidly and do not spread out.
C) on impact, at temperatures near the freezing level.
D) slowly and do not spread out.
What is indicated about an air mass if the temperature remains unchanged or decreases slightly as
altitude is increased?
A) The air is stable.
B) A temperature inversion exists.
C) None of the above - unable to determine with the given information.
D) The air is unstable.
The average change of pressure with height in the lower atmosphere is:
A) 1 hPa/60ft.
B) 1 hPa/50ft.
C) 1 hPa/20ft.
D) 1 hPa/27ft.
If a stable air mass is forced to rise, what type of cloud is most likely:
A) CU.
B) CB.
C) NS.
D) TCU.
Under normal conditions the temperature in the troposphere changes with increasing height in the
following manner:
A) decreases by 2° C per 1.000 ft.
B) increases by 3° C per 1.000 ft.
C) increases by 2° C per 1.000 ft.
D) decreases by 3° C per 1.000 ft.
41. Why is the visibility generally good in a cold air mass?
A) The air is unstable.
B) Stability does not influence the visibility.
C) It is cold.
D) The air is stable.
If the depth of the troposphere increases, the temperature at the tropopause must:
A) increase.
B) stay the same.
C) decrease.
D) impossible to say.
What is the height and temperature of Tropopause?
A) 8 km and -75 deg C at Pole.
B) 16km and -40 deg C at Equator.
C) 8km and -40 deg C at Pole.
D) 16km and -65 deg C at Equator.
Horizontal differences in the mean temperature of a layer are caused by:
A) deferential heating of the earths surface.
B) change of air mass.
C) insolation.
D) advection.
Convective activity over land in mid-latitudes is greatest in:
A) summer during the night and early morning.
B) winter in the afternoon.
C) summer in the afternoon.
D) winter during the night and early morning.
How does temperature vary with increasing altitude in the ICAO standard atmosphere below the
tropopause?
A) Increases.
B) At first it increases and higher up it decreases.
C) Remains constant.
D) Decreases.
At which average height can the 300 hPa pressure level in moderate latitudes be expected?
A) 12,0 km AMSL.
B) 9,0 km AMSL.
C) 3,0 km AMSL.
D) 1,5 km AMSL.
61. Which of the following is a common cause of ground or surface temperature inversion?
A) Terrestrial radiation on a clear night with no or very light winds.
B) Warm air being lifted rapidly aloft, in the vicinity of mountainous terrain.
C) The movement of colder air under warm air, or the movement of warm air over
cold air.
D) Heating of the air by subsidence.
An inversion is:
A) an increase of temperature with height.
B) a decrease of temperature with height.
C) a decrease of pressure with height.
D) an increase of pressure with height.
What are the most common characteristics of a cold air mass moving over a warm surface?
A) Cumuliform clouds, turbulence, and good visibility.
B) Stratiform clouds, smooth air, and poor visibility.
C) Cumuliform clouds, turbulence, and poor visibility.
D) Stratiform clouds, smooth air, and good visibility.
At which average height can the 850 hPa pressure level in moderate latitudes be expected?
A) 1,5 km AMSL.
B) 9,0 km AMSL.
C) 12,0 km AMSL.
D) 3,0 km AMSL.
Which of the following options is the most effective way of heating the troposphere?
A) Outgoing short wave radiation from the Earth.
B) Outgoing long wave radiation from the Earth.
C) Incoming long wave radiation from the sun.
D) Incoming short wave radiation from the sun.
In the disturbed temperate regions:
A) the weather is mainly governed by travelling frontal depressions.
B) the wet season is normally from May to September.
C) winters are generally mild.
D) the surface winds are moderate weasterlies.
Earth heating by solar radiation is called:
A) conduction.
B) absorption.
C) reflection.
D) insolation.
When is clear ice formed?
A) When supercooled droplets freeze rapidly and do not spread out.
B) When supercooled droplets impact the structure and at a temperature
well below -10° C.
C) When supercooled droplets are large and at a temperature just below
freezing.
D) When supercooled droplets are small and at a temperature just below
freezing.
What does a CB contain at moderate latitudes in summer?
A) Ice crystals, snow, and water droplets.
B) Ice crystals only.
C) A combination of ice crystals, water droplets and supercooled water
droplets.
D) A combination of ice crystals and water droplets.
Which of the following are high level clouds? State the most complete answer:
A) AS, AC.
B) CI, CC.
C) ST, NS.
D) NS, CI.
Several physical processes contribute to atmospheric warming. Which of the following contribute the
most?
A) Absorption and evaporation.
B) Absorption and vaporization.
C) Solar radiation and conduction.
D) Convection and condensation.
The environmental lapse rate in the real atmosphere:
A) varies with time.
B) is always 1.98 deg C / 1000ft.
C) has a fixed value of 0.65 deg C / 100Mtrs when dry.
D) has a fixed value of 1 deg C / 100Mtrs when wet.
The difference between air temperature and dew point temperature is popularly called the " spread" .
As spread increases, relative humidity:
A) decreases.
B) increases.
C) stays the same.
D) first decreases and then increases.
A layer can be:
A) unstable for unsaturated air and neutral for saturated air.
B) unstable for unsaturated air and conditionally unstable.
C) stable for saturated air and unstable for unsaturated air.
D) stable for unsaturated air and unstable for saturated air.
Which of the following statements is incorrect?
A) Large land masses have greater seasonal temperature changes than islands.
B) None of the above.
C) Large land masses have greater diumal temperature changes than islands.
D) Concrete has a lower specific heat than grass.
Which clouds, normally found in the medium level, can extend to the other levels?
A) AS
B) ST
C) CU
D) NS
One of the reasons why land surfaces heat and cool more quickly than water is because:
A) water has a lower relative density than land.
B) land has a lower conductivity than water.
C) water has a higher specific heat than land.
D) land has a higher specific heat than water.
When is the coldest time of the day?
A) 1/2 hr after sunrise.
B) 1hr before sunrise.
C) at exact moment of sunrise.
D) 2 hr before sunrise.
On a clear sky, continental ground surface, wind calm, the minimum temperature is reached
approximately:
A) one hour before sunrise.
B) at the moment the sun rises.
C) half an hour before sunrise.
D) half an hour after sunrise.
An inversion is a layer of air which is:
A) absolutely unstable.
B) conditionally unstable.
C) conditionally stable.
D) absolutely stable.
Air at T = +16° C and DP = +4° C is forced from sea level over a 10.000 ft mountain range and
descends back to sea level on the other side. If the leeward condensation level is observed to be
8.000 ft, what will be the final temperature?
A) 22° C
B) 20° C
C) 18° C
D) 24° C
What would be the final temperature in question above if the Dew Point were 6° C?
A) +03° C
B) -06° C
C) 0° C
D) +06° C
For international aviation meteorological purposes, temperature is measured in degrees:
A) Kelvin.
B) Fahrenheit.
C) Celsius.
D) Absolute.
101. At which average height can the 500 hPa pressure level in moderate latitudes be expected?
A) 5,5 km AMSL.
B) 3,0 km AMSL.
C) 12,0 km AMSL.
D) 9,0 km AMSL.
What is true about the dew point temperature?
A) Can be only lower than the temperature of the air mass.
B) Can be higher than the temperature of the air mass only.
C) Can be higher or lower than the air mass temperature.
D) Can be equal to or lower than the temperature of the air mass
Which of the following gives conditionally unstable conditions?
A) 0.49 deg C/100m.
B) 0.65 deg C/100m.
C) none of the above.
D) 1 deg C/100m.
The intensity of solar radiation received at the earths surface is directly related to:
A) season, time of day, latitude and longitude.
B) topography, time of day, season and latitude.
C) time of year, latitude, season and topography.
D) time of day, season, topography and longitude.
What can be said about supercooled water droplets?
A) They remain liquid at a below-freezing temperature.
B) They cool to a below-freezing temperature on impact.
C) They only occur in CB clouds.
D) They don't contribute to clear ice.
Absolute instability exists whenever the environmental lapse rate:
A) is less than the saturated adiabatic lapse rate.
B) exceeds the saturated adiabatic lapse rate.
C) is between the dry and saturated adiabatic lapse rate.
D) exceeds the dry adiabatic lapse rate.
The family of medium clouds include altostratus, altocumulus and nimbostratus. In moderate latitudes
their height of base ranges from:
A) 6500 to 23000 feet.
B) 3000 to 5000 feet.
C) 2000 to 10000 feet.
D) 2000 to 12000 feet.
The stability of an air mass increases by:
A) decreasing dispersion.
B) supply of humidity.
C) heating of the lower and cooling of the upper layers.
D) cooling of the lower and heating of the upper layers.
The temperature at FL 80 is +6° C. What will the temperature be at FL 130 if the ICAO standard lapse
rate is applied?
A) +2° C.
B) -4° C.
C) 0° C.
D) -6° C.
Where does a Polar Cold Airmass has its origin?
A) Over the Siberian Landmass.
B) Over the Baltic Sea.
C) Over the North Pole.
D) Over the Atlantic Ocean.
A wide body takes off on a clear night in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Shortly after take off the aircrafts
rate of climb drops to zero. This can be due to:
A) low relative humidity.
B) sand/dust in the engines.
C) very pronounced downdrafts.
D) a very strong temperature inversion.
What determines the structure or type of clouds which will form as a result of air being forced to
ascend?
A) The stability of the air before lifting occurs.
B) The method by which air is lifted.
C) The temperature of the air before lifting occurs.
D) The relative humidity of the air after lifting occurs.
When is diurnal variation at a maximum?
A) Clear sky, no wind.
B) Clear sky, strong wind.
C) OVC, windy.
D) OVC, still air conditions.
How would you characterise an air temperature of -30° c at the 300 hPa level over western Europe?
A) High.
B) Low.
C) Within +/-5° C of ISA.
D) Very low.
The atmosphere is heated primarily by:
A) long wave terrestrial radiation released by the earth.
B) earth bound electromagnetic radiation.
C) shortwave terrestrial radiation from the earth.
D) the suns insolation.
A parcel of air cooling by more than 1 deg C/100m is said to be?
A) Conditionally stable.
B) Conditionally unstable.
C) Unstable.
D) Stable.
The lowest layer of the atmosphere is heated during the day by:
A) the release of latent heat.
B) conduction.
C) convection.
D) solar radiation.
A temperature of 10° C above ISA is observed at FL 180. What is the effective distance between FL 60
and FL 120:
A) 6000 ft.
B) 5760 ft.
C) 6240 ft.
D) 3000 ft.
In still air the temperature decreases at an average of 1.2° C per 100 m increase in altitude. This
temperature change is called:
A) normal lapse rate.
B) dry adiabatic lapse rate.
C) environmental lapse rate.
D) saturated adiabatic lapse rate.
The heat of the earth is transferred upwards largely by:
A) conduction.
B) convection.
C) radiation.
D) insolation.
121. An outside air temperature of -35° C is measured while cruising at FL 200. What is the
temperature deviation from the ISA at this level?
A) 10° C warmer than ISA.
B) 10° C colder than ISA.
C) 5° C colder than ISA.
D) 5° C warmer than ISA.
The weather is clear and the temperature decreases uniformly and rapidly as you climb (approaching
3° C per 1000 ft), you have an indication of:
A) Unstable air.
B) Stable air.
C) Sublimation.
D) Saturation.
The rate of fall of pressure with height is:
A) Greater in cold air than in warm air.
B) Constant.
C) Inversely proportional to temperature.
D) Greater in warm air than in cold air.
The heat energy used to change water vapour into liquid water:
A) modifies the DALR to the SALR.
B) is then stored in the water vapour as latent heat.
C) is released to the atmosphere as latent heat.
D) is passed to the surface from which the water is evaporating.
Which of the following statements is correct:
A) The diurnal range of temperature is greatest in conditions of high
humidity.
B) The diurnal range of temperature is least in tropical countries.
C) The diurnal variation of temperature is greatest when a moderate wind is
blowing.
D) The diurnal range of temperature sees the lowest temperature at sunrise.
Why is frost considered hazardous to flight?
A) Frost changes the basic aerodynamic shape of the airfoil.
B) The increased weight requires a greater takeoff distance.
C) Frost decreases control effectiveness.
D) Frost causes early airflow separation resulting in a loss of lift.
How do you define Convection?
A) Same as conduction.
B) Horizontal movement of air.
C) Same as advection.
D) Vertical movement of air.
Which is true of the temperature at the tropopause?
A) There is no significant difference with change of latitude.
B) It is higher in equatorial regions than in polar regions.
C) It is highest in middle latitudes.
D) It is higher in polar regions than in equatorial regions.
From which of the following pieces of information can stability of the atmosphere be derived?
A) Pressure at the surface.
B) Dry adiabatic lapse rate.
C) Surface temperature.
D) Environmental lapse rate.
Advection is:
A) the same as convection.
B) horizontal motion of air.
C) vertical motion of air.
D) the same as subsidence.
In the lower part of the stratosphere the temperature:
A) increases with altitude.
B) decreases with altitude.
C) is almost constant.
D) increases at first and decreases afterward.
Temperature inversions in an air mass can be caused by:
A) radiation heating.
B) subsidence.
C) convergence.
D) high surface temperatures.
The sea level temperature of boiling water in degrees Fahrenheit / Celsius / Kelvin is:
A) 212 / 273 / 273
B) 323 / 100 / 373
C) 212 / 100 / 373
D) 232 / 100 / 373
In an air mass with no clouds the surface temperature is 15° C and 13° C at 1000m. This layer of air
is:
A) unstable.
B) conditionally unstable.
C) a layer of heavy turbulence.
D) stable.
Polar maritime air is generally:
A) Cold, dry, unstable.
B) Cold, moist, stable.
C) none of the above.
D) Cold, moist, unstable.
In which temperature range does rime ice most commonly occur?
A) -10° C to -15° C.
B) 0° C to -6° C.
C) -5° C to -10° C.
D) Around freezing level.
The 0° isotherm is forecast to be at FL 50. At what FL would you expect a temperature of -6° C?
A) FL 20.
B) FL 110.
C) FL 80.
D) FL 100.
At a certain position, the temperature on the 300 hPa chart is -48° C; according to the tropopause
chart, the tropopause is at FL 330. What is the most likely temperature at FL 350?
A) -50° C.
B) -54° C.
C) -56,5° C.
D) -58° C.
How would you characterise an air temperature of -15° C at the 700 hPa level over western Europe?
A) Low.
B) Within +/-5° C of ISA.
C) 20° C below standard.
D) High.
What is the technical term for an increase in temperature with altitude?
A) Advection.
B) Adiabatic.
C) Subsidence.
D) Inversion.
141. The average visibility as seen from the cockpit in flight is called:
A) Cockpit visibility.
B) Flight visibility.
C) RVR.
D) Slant visibility.
The inversion in the lower troposphere created by old high pressure system during day or night is
called:
A) subsidence inversion.
B) terrestrial inversion.
C) radiation inversion.
D) frontal inversion.
Which cloud represent an altocumulus lenticularis?
A) D
B) C
C) B
D) A
The amount of suns heat absorbed by the earth depends on the suns:
A) elevation and duration.
B) distance from the earth.
C) strength and elevation.
D) solar strength and duration.
The isohypse 11880 m can be expected at the constant pressure chart for the following pressure level:
A) 500 hPa
B) 850 hPa
C) 700 hPa
D) 200 hPa
Which of the following are medium level clouds? State the most complete answer:
A) NS, CI.
B) AS, AC.
C) ST, CU.
D) CI, ST.
The two most important methods for transfer of heat from the surface to the troposphere are:
A) shortwave radiation and backscatter.
B) formation of convective cloud and longwave radiation.
C) convection of warm air and the formation of fog.
D) advection and convection of warm air.
What units of measurement are used in forecasts for winds aloft?
A) Magnetic direction and knots.
B) Magnetic direction and MPH.
C) True direction and MPH.
D) True direction and knots.
If the dew point stays the same, but the air temperature decreases, then:
A) the relative humidity will decrease.
B) the relative humidity will increase.
C) water vapour will decrease.
D) water vapour will increase.
Around Paris on January 3rd at 1800 UTC, the surface temperature, under shelter, is 3° C. The sky is
covered by 8 oktas of stratus. QNH is 1033 hPa. If the sky is covered all night, the minimum
temperature of the night of January 3rd to January 4th should be:
A) significantly above +3° C.
B) slightly above +3° C.
C) significantly below 0° C.
D) slightly below +3° C.
Atmospheric Pressure:
If you have a column of air limited by two isobaric surfaces at a pressure difference of 100 hPa, the
distance between the pressure surfaces will change if mean temperature and mean pressure of the
column of air change.
In which of the following alternatives will the change of temperature and pressure interact to shorten
the distance as much as possible?
A) The temperature decreases and pressure decreases.
B) The temperature increases and pressure decreases.
C) The temperature increases and pressure increases.
D) The temperature decreases and pressure increases.
At an airport in California (69 m below MSL), a QFF of 1030 hPa and a temperature 10° C lower than
standard is observed:
A) The QNH equals 1030 hPa.
B) The QNH is higher than 1030 hPa.
C) The QNH is lower than 1030 hPa.
D) The QNH cannot be determined.
You are making a long-distance flight and have chosen a suitable cruising altitude for the whole flight.
Towards the end of your flight, you have descended. What may be to reason for this?
A) you are approaching a region of high pressure.
B) you are approaching a region of low pressure.
C) standard pressure has dropped.
D) temperature has increased.
Which of the following is true concerning atmospheric pressure?
A) It always decreases with height at a rate of 1 hPa per 8m.
B) It is higher in winter than in summer.
C) It decreases with height.
D) It is higher at night than during the day.
Assume that an aircraft is flying in the northern hemisphere at the 500 hPa pressure surface on a
heading of 270 degrees. Which of the following statements is correct?
A) If in this pressure surface the wind comes from the direction 360
degrees, then true altitude is increasing.
B) If in this pressure surface the wind comes from the direction 270
degrees, then true altitude is increasing.
C) If in this pressure surface the wind comes from the direction 180
degrees, then true altitude is increasing.
D) If in this pressure surface the wind comes from the direction 090
degrees, then true altitude is increasing.
What positions are connected by isobars on the surface weather chart?
A) Positions with the same air pressure at a given level.
B) Positions with the same temperature at a given level.
C) Positions with the same relative pressure heights.
D) Positions with the same wind velocity at a given level.
Isobars on a surface chart are lines of equal:
A) QNH.
B) QFE.
C) QFF.
D) QNE.
When the barometric subscale of the altimeter is adjusted to 1013,2 hPa, what type of altitude is
being measured?
A) Indicated altitude.
B) Relative height.
C) Pressure altitude.
D) True altitude.
Between which latitudes are you most likely to find the region of travelling low pressure systems?
A) 55° - 75°
B) 10° - 15°
C) 25° - 35°
D) 35° - 55°
In the atmosphere the 450mb level occurs at approximately:
A) 30,000 ft.
B) 39,000 ft.
C) 34,000 ft.
D) 20,000 ft.
What is the approximate vertical interval which is equal to a pressure change of 1 hPa at an altitude of
5.500 m?
A) 32 m (105 FT).
B) 8 m (27 FT).
C) 64 m (210 FT).
D) 15 m (50 FT).
If you fly across the isobars towards a region of high pressure in the Northern Hemisphere, you will:
A) experience no drift but experience a headwind.
B) drift to the right.
C) experience no drift but experience a tailwind.
D) drift to the left.
At altitude, the atmospheric pressure in a column of warm air is likely to be:
A) higher than at the same height in a column of cold air.
B) lower than at the same height in a column of cold air.
C) the same irrespective of the temperature.
D) depends on the relative humidity.
State the definition for QFF:
A) QNH reduced to MSL, using standard temperature gradient.
B) QFE reduced to MSL, using actual temperature gradient.
C) QNE reduced to MSL, using standard temperature gradient.
D) QFE reduced to MSL, using standard temperature gradient.
At an altitude of 25000ft when the temperature is -40C and the pressure is 375 mb, the height
interval corresponding to 1mb decrease in pressure is:
A) 62ft.
B) 60ft.
C) 65ft.
D) 56ft.
At an airport (400 m AMSL), a QFF of 1016 hPa and a temperature 10° C lower than ISA is observed:
A) The QNH is higher than 1016 hPa.
B) The QNH cannot be determined.
C) The QNH equals 1016 hPa.
D) The QNH is lower than 1016 hPa.
Ground level pressure is 1000hPa and the temperature 13C. At a certain height the temperature is
10C and pressure equals 975hPa. The value of " feet per hPa" in this atmosphere is:
A) 28.76 ft per hPa.
B) 27.67 ft per hPa.
C) 26.76 ft per hPa.
D) 29.87 ft per hPa.
In the troposphere the decrease of pressure per 100 m increase in height:
A) remains constant at all levels.
B) is in the order of 27 hPa near MSL.
C) is smaller at higher levels than at lower levels.
D) is greater at higher levels than at lower levels.
Select the correct statement regarding the wind directions in connection with the high and low
pressure systems in the Northern Hemisphere:
A) the winds blow counter-clockwise around a high a clockwise in a low.
B) the winds blow clockwise in a high and counter clockwise in a low.
C) the winds blow counter-clockwise in both highs and lows.
D) the winds blow clockwise in both highs and lows.
Pressure falls as height increases in the atmosphere. The rate of fall is ... and is ... in cold air than in
warm air.
A) linear, higher.
B) logarithmic, higher.
C) logarithmic, lower.
D) linear, lower.
21.In general, if the air mass temperature is higher than ISA, the pressure at any given height will be
... and the tropopause will be...
A) low, high.
B) high, high.
C) high, low.
D) low, low.
When flying from high to low contour values, which of the following is incorrect?
A) the pressure altimeter will indicate a constant value.
B) the indicated height of the aircraft will be constant.
C) the indicated height of the aircraft will only be true if 1013,25 mb is set.
D) the true height of the aircraft will be falling.
A rising parcel of air which has no heat entering or leaving it, will:
A) reduce in pressure, decrease in density, increase in volume
B) reduce in pressure, rise in temperature, decrease in density.
C) maintain pressure, reduce in density, increase in volume.
D) maintain volume, decrease in density, reduce in pressure.
According to definition, flight levels are surfaces with constant air pressure determined from a certain
pressure value. Which is this value?
A) 1025,13 hPa
B) 1013,25 hPa
C) Actual QNH
D) Actual QFE
The station pressure used in surface weather charts is:
A) QFF.
B) QNE.
C) QNH.
D) QFE.
A pressure difference of 10 hPa close to the ground corresponds to a height difference of:
A) about 300 ft.
B) about 30 ft.
C) about 150 m.
D) about 50 m.
An isohypse (contour):
A) is the limit between two air masses of different temperature.
B) is the longest slope line of a frontal surface.
C) indicates the true altitude of a pressure level.
D) indicates the altitude of the zero degree isotherm.
Contour heights are:
A) do not indicate heights at all.
B) true heights AMSL.
C) indicated heights above 1013,25 mb.
D) true heights AGL.
Pressure altitude is:
A) the height indicated on a pressure altimeter when the sub-scale is set to QFE.
B) the standard pressure prevailing at official airfield level.
C) the height indicated on a pressure altimeter when the sub-scale is set to QNH.
D) the height in the standard atmosphere at which the aircraft ambient pressure
would be experienced.
Which of altimeter settings is used when flying in flight levels?
A) 1025,13 hPa.
B) QFF.
C) 1013,25 hPa.
D) QFE.
When flying towards high contour values an aircraft will experience:
A) headwind.
B) tailwind.
C) starboard drift.
D) port drift.
Lines joining points of equal pressure are known as:
A) Isotachs
B) Isopleths.
C) Isotherms.
D) Isobars.
The pressure distribution located mainly at point
B is a:
A) ridge of high pressure.
B) col.
C) depression.
D) trough of low pressure.
21. If you are flying at FL 120 and the outside temperature is -2° C, at what altitude will the freezing
level be?
A) FL 150
B) FL 110
C) FL 130
D) FL 90
In the International Standard Atmosphere the decrease in temperature with height below 11 km is:
A) 0.5° C per 100m.
B) 0.6° C per 100m.
C) 0.65° C per 100m.
D) 1° C per 100m.
Over which of the following surface types would you expect the greatest diurnal range of temperature
to occur?
A) A desert area.
B) Polar regions.
C) An extensive forest area.
D) An ocean.
ISA specification for MSL conditions are:
A) T=+13° C, pressure = 1013,25 hPa
B) T=+15° C, pressure= 1013,25 hPa
C) T=+13° C, pressure = 1013 hPa.
D) T=+15° C, pressure= 1013 hPa
Where is the 300mb level approx. in ISA?
A) 10,000ft.
B) 30,000ft.
C) 39,000ft.
D) 18,000ft.
A 700 hPa pressure level can vary in height. In temperate regions which of the following average
heights is applicable?
A) FL 390
B) FL 100
C) FL 300
D) FL 180
A 500 hPa pressure level can vary in height. In temperate regions which of the following average
heights is applicable?
A) FL 390
B) FL 160
C) FL 180
D) FL 100
Altimetry:
You are flying at a constant altitude according to your altimeter. Your altimeter setting is unchanged.
Which of the following interact to give a minimum a true altitude?
A) 2, 3
B) 1, 3
C) 1, 4
D) 2, 4
When is pressure altitude equal to true altitude?
A) When the temperature is standard.
B) In standard conditions.
C) When the indicated altitude is equal to the pressure altitude.
D) When surface pressure is 1013.25hPa.
An aircraft is flying through the Alps on a warm summers day. The weather is fine, and there is a high
pressure system in the area. During the flight, a mountain is passed at an altitude of its summit. What
reading will the aneroid altimeter give, compared to the summits elevation?
A) The same altitude as the elevation of the summit.
B) A higher altitude than the elevation of the summit.
C) There is insufficient information to come to a conclusion.
D) A lower altitude than the elevation of the summit.
The QNH at an airfield located 200 metres above sea level is 1022 hPa. The air temperature is not
available.
What is the QFF?
A) More than 1022 hPa.
B) Less than 1022 hPa.
C) 1022 hPa.
D) It is not possible to give a definitive answer.
After landing at an aerodrome (QNH 993 hPa) it is noticed that the altimeter is still set to 1013,2 hPa
and that it reads 1.200 feet. What is the elevation of the aerodrome above mean sea level?
A) 1.200 feet.
B) 2.280 feet.
C) 660 feet.
D) 1.740 feet.
If an altimeter setting is not available before flight, to which altitude should the pilot adjust the
altimeter?
A) Pressure altitude corrected for non-standard temperature.
B) The elevation of the departure area.
C) The elevation of the nearest airport corrected to mean sea level.
D) So that the altimeter reads zero.
The QNH at an airfield located 0 metres above sea level is 1022 hPa. The air temperature is not
available. What is the QFF?
A) More than 1022 hPa.
B) It is not possible to give a definitive answer.
C) Less than 1022 hPa.
D) 1022 hPa.
For a given airfield the QFE is 980 hPa and the QNH is 1000 hPa. The approximate elevation of the
airfield is:
A) 120 metres.
B) 160 metres.
C) 540 metres.
D) 600 metres.
An aircraft is flying at FL 75 over point A where the QNH is 1013 hPa, enroute to B where the QNG is
979 hPa.
Assuming that 1hPa equals 30 ft and that point B is 823 metres amsl the terrain clearance over B is:
A) 3.780 ft
B) 4,280 ft
C) 5.680 ft
D) 6,480 ft
QFE 980 hPa at an altitude of 200 m AMSL: What will the approximate QNH be?
A) 1000 hPa.
B) 1005 hPa.
C) 1015 hPa.
D) 1010 hPa.
What happens to an aircrafts altimeter on the ground at the approach of a cold front?
A) Increases then decreases.
B) Remains the same.
C) Decreases then increases.
D) Increases.
After landing at an aerodrome (aerodrome elevation 1715 FT), the altimeter indicates an altitude of
1310 FT.
The altimeter is set to the pressure value of 1013 hPa. What is the QNH at this aerodrome?
A) 1013 hPa.
B) 1015 hPa.
C) 1028 hPa.
D) 998 hPa.
During the climb after takeoff, the altimeter setting is adjusted at the transition altitude. If the local
QNH is 1023 hPa, what will happen to the altimeter reading during the resetting procedure?
A) It is not possible to give a definitive answer.
B) It will increase.
C) It will decrease.
D) It will remain the same.
The barometric pressure at the airfield datum point is:
A) QNH.
B) QFE.
C) QFA.
D) QNE.
Which statement is true?
A) QNH is lower than 1013.25 hPa at any time.
B) QNH can be lower as well as higher than 1013.25 hPa.
C) QNH can be 1013.25 only for a station at MSL.
D) QNH can not be 1013.25 hPa.
If an aircraft, without changing altimeter reference, flies so that the altimeter all the time indicates the
same altitude, this always means that:
A) the air pressure at sea level is unchanged.
B) the actual height above the mean ground level is unchanged.
C) the air pressure around the aircraft is unchanged.
D) the actual altitude above sea level is unchanged.
You are flying over an airport at an indicated altitude of 5.600 ft. Airport elevation = 2.785 ft. The
altimeter is set at the correct aerodrome QNH value of 993 hPa and the instrument error is zero, you
are crossing the airport at a height above ground of:
(standard pressure setting = 1013 hPa, 1 hPa = 30 ft)
A) 2.215 ft
B) 5.000 ft
C) 2.815 ft
D) 5.600 ft
You are flying at FL 200. Outside air temperature is -40° C, and the pressure at sea level is 1033 hPa.
What is the true altitude?
A) 21740 feet.
B) 18260 feet.
C) 20660 feet.
D) 19340 feet.
The QNH of an airport at sea level is 983 hPa and the temperature deviation from ISA is -15° C below
FL 100.
What is the true altitude of FL 100?
A) 11410 FT.
B) 8590 FT.
C) 10210 FT.
D) 9790 FT.
During a flight over the sea at FL 100 from Marseille (QNH 1016 hPa) to Palma de Mallorca (QNH 1016
hPa), the true altitude is constantly decreasing. What is the probable reason for this?
A) The aircraft is being blown off track to the left.
B) The altimeter is faulty.
C) One of the QNH values must be wrong.
D) The air at Marseille is warmer than that at Palma de Mallorca.
21. After landing at an aerodrome (aerodrome elevation 1715 FT), the altimeter indicates an altitude
of 1310 FT.
The altimeter is set to the pressure value of 1013 hPa. What is the QNH at this aerodrome?
A) 998 hPa.
B) 1013 hPa.
C) 1028 hPa.
D) 1015 hPa.
An aircraft lands at an airport (airport elevation 540 FT, QNH 993 hPa) with the altimeter set to 1013
hPa. What will it indicate?
A) 700 FT.
B) 1080 FT.
C) 0 FT.
D) 380 FT.
You have landed at an airport, local QNH 993 hPa. After landing, you notice, that your altimeter
subscale is still set to 1013,2 hPa. Your altimeter indicates 1200 ft. What is the airport elevation?
A) 660 ft AMSL.
B) 1200 ft AMSL.
C) 2280 ft AMSL.
D) 1740 ft AMSL.
Your altimeter indicates 3600 ft, while set to standard pressure. You now adjust the subscale to the
local QNH of 991 hPa. What will the indication than be:
A) 3600 ft.
B) 3320 ft.
C) 4194 ft.
D) 3006 ft.
At an airport in California (69 m below MSL), a QNH of 1018 hPa and a temperature 10° C higher than
standard is observed:
A) The QFF is lower than 1018 hPa.
B) The QFF equals 1018 hPa.
C) The QFF is higher than 1018 hPa.
D) The QFF cannot be determined.
The QFF at an airfield located 400 metres above sea level is 1016 hPa. The air temperature is 10° C
lower than a standard atmosphere. What is the QNH?
A) 1016 hPa.
B) More than 1016 hPa.
C) It is not possible to give a definitive answer.
D) Less than 1016 hPa.
In which of the following cases will the altimeter always indicate the airport elevation when landing?
A) If QFF on the airport is set as reference.
B) If QNH of the airport is set as reference.
C) If QFE of the airport is set as reference.
D) At standard setting.
An aeroplane takes off from A (elevation 800 ft, QFE 1000mb) and flies to B (elevation 80 ft, QFE
1020mb). The highest ground between points A & B is 2550 ft. If the aeroplane flew from A to B at 3
000 ft indicated with A’ s QFE on the sub-scale, and if the regional QNH was 1026mb, the aircraft
would have (assuming that 1mb = 30 ft):
A) flown over the hill at least 1.230 ft above the top.
B) crashes on the hill 240 ft below the top.
C) crashes on the hill 690 ft below the top.
D) flown over the hill at least 690 ft above the top.
What is the relationship between QFE and QNH at an airport 50ft below MSL?
A) QFE > QNH.
B) QFE = QNH.
C) QFE < QNH.
D) There is no clear relationship.
Aerodrome QFF is the:
A) aerodrome pressure converted to msl assuming ISA conditions between
the levels.
B) aerodrome pressure converted to msl assuming actual conditions
between the levels.
C) atmospheric pressure at aerodrome level converted to ISA conditions.
D) QFE converted to msl assuming constant temperature between the levels.
You are flying from Madrid (QNH 1012) to Paris (QNH 1015) at FL 80. If your true altitude and
indicated altitude remain the same then...
A) the air at Madrid is warmer than Paris.
B) the air at Paris is warmer than Madrid.
C) your indicated altitude must be changing.
D) the altimeters are incorrect.
Your pressure altimeter is set at 1000 HPa. You have been cleared to join the traffic circuit at 2600 ft
and received current QNH = 1010 h Pa. You join the circuit at 2600 ft bud forget to reset your
altimeter. Other aircraft with correct altimeter settings indicating 2600 ft in the circuit will, compared
to you, be flying:
A) 100 ft above.
B) 300 ft below.
C) 100 ft below.
D) 300 ft above.
A vertical spacing of 1000 FT, is the standard required separation between two FL. Under conditions of
cold air advection (ISA -15° C), what would the true vertical separation be?
A) It remains 1000 FT.
B) Without QNH information, it can not be determined.
C) Less than 1000 FT.
D) More than 1000 FT.
State the definition for QNH:
A) QNE reduced to MSL, using standard temperature gradient.
B) QFF reduced to MSL, using standard temperature gradient.
C) Pressure reduced to sea level, using the standard temperature gradient.
D) QFE reduced to MSL, using actual temperature gradient.
If the QFE at Locarno (200 metres above sea level) is 980 hPa, what is the approximate QNH?
A) 1000 hPa.
B) 1010 hPa.
C) 1005 hPa.
D) 1015 hPa.
You intend to overfly a mountain ridge. The recommended minimum altitude for over flight according
to your ICAO chart is 12000 ft AMSL. The average air temperature is 10° C higher than ISA, your
altimeter is set to the local QNH of 1023 hPa. Which altimeter indication is needed to maintain the
recommended minimum altitude?
A) 11250 ft.
B) 12210 ft.
C) 11520 ft.
D) 11790 ft.
Which value has to be known to calculate the QNH out of the QFE?
A) The density altitude of the field.
B) Field elevation.
C) Actual temperature.
D) The relative humidity of the air.
If flying Norht with easterly drift, an aircrafts altimeter will progressively:
A) impossible to say – it depends on the atmospheric pressure.
B) under-read.
C) remain correct.
D) over-read.
During the climb after takeoff, the altimeter setting is adjusted at the transition altitude. If the local
QNH is 966 hPa, what will happen to the altimeter reading during the resetting procedure?
A) It will decrease.
B) It is not possible to give a definitive answer.
C) It will remain the same.
D) It will increase.
What altimeter reading would you expect when landing at an airfield 3.000 ft above MSL, altimeter
setting is QFE for the field and local temperature is +25° C?
A) 3.000 ft.
B) 3.300 ft.
C) 2.700 ft.
D) 0 ft.
41. Which of these would cause your true altitude to decrease with a constant indicated altitude?
A) Cold/High.
B) Cold/Low.
C) Hot/Low.
D) Hot/High.
The QNH at an airfield located 200 metres above sea level is 1009 hPa. The air temperature is 10° C
lower than a standard atmosphere. What is the QFF?
A) Less than 1009 hPa.
B) More than 1009 hPa.
C) 1009 hPa.
D) It is not possible to give a definitive answer.
Suppose that you want your altimeter on landing to indicate airport elevation. Which of the following
pressures will you use as reference?
A) Standard (1013,25)
B) QFE
C) QFF
D) QNH
The QNH is 1030Hpa and at the Transition Level you set the SPS. What happens to your indicated
altitude?
A) Rises but not much.
B) Drops by approximately 510ft.
C) Rises by approximately 510ft.
D) Drops but not much.
QNH 1025 hPa at an altitude of 200 m AMSL: What will the approximate QFE be?
A) 1025 hPa.
B) 1005 hPa.
C) 995 hPa.
D) 1000 hPa.
If you are flying on a QNH 1009 on very cold day and you circle the top of a peak in the Alps, your
altimeter will read:
A) the same as the elevation of the peak.
B) lower than the elevation of the peak.
C) not enough information to tell.
D) higher than the elevation of the peak.
What is density altitude?
A) The vertical distance of the aircraft above the surface corrected for
pressure.
B) The height above the standard datum plane.
C) The altitude read directly from the altimeter.
D) The pressure altitude corrected for non-standard temperature.
The barometric reading of pressure must be corrected for the following errors:
A) index, temperature, pressure.
B) instrument, temperature, pressure.
C) instrument, gravity, temperature.
D) temperature, index, instrument.
An aircraft is flying through the Alps on a very cold winters day. The regional QNH is 1013 hPa. During
the flight, you circle around a mountain at an altitude of its summit. What reading will the aneroid
altimeter give, compared to the elevation of the summit?
A) There is insufficient information to come to a conclusion.
B) The same altitude as the elevation of the summit.
C) A lower altitude than the elevation of the summit.
D) A higher altitude than the elevation of the summit.
A pressure altimeter indicates:
A) actual altitude above MSL.
B) the distance between two isobaric surfaces in the actual atmosphere.
C) actual altitude above the terrain below.
D) the distance between two isobaric surfaces in the standard atmosphere.
During a flight at FL 100 from Marseille (QNH 1012 hPa) to Palma de Mallorca (QNH 1015 hPa), an
aircraft remains at a constant true altitude. The reason for this is that:
A) the air at Marseille is warmer than that at Palma de Mallorca.
B) the altimeters are erroneous, and need to be tested.
C) one of the two QNH values may be incorrect.
D) the air at Marseille is colder than that at Palma de Mallorca.
An aircraft is flying at FL 80. The local QNH is 1000 hPa. After the second altimeter has been adjusted
to the local QNH, the reading will be approximately:
A) 8350 FT.
B) 8600 FT.
C) 7650 FT.
D) 8000 FT.
You are flying from Marseilles (QNH 1012 hPa) to Palma de Mallorca (QNH 1012 hPa) at FL100. You
notice that the effective height above MSL (Radio Altitude) increases constantly. Hence.
A) The air mass above Palma is warmer than that above Marseilles.
B) You have the altimeters checked, as their indications are obviously
wrong.
C) You have to adjust for a crosswind from the right.
D) One of the QNH values must be wrong.
Which one of the following conditions gives the shortest take off run, if the airports have the same
QNH?
A) Low temperature and low airport elevation.
B) High temperature and low airport elevation.
C) Low temperature and high airport elevation.
D) High temperature and high airport elevation.
What information is required to convert a minimum safe altitude into a lowest usable flight level?
A) Highest value of QNH and the highest negative temperature deviation
from ISA.
B) Lowest value of QNH and the lowest negative temperature deviation from
ISA.
C) Lowest value of QNH and the highest negative temperature deviation
from ISA.
D) Highest value of QNH and the highest positive temperature deviation
from ISA.
You have landed on an airport (elevation 540 ft, QNH 993 hPa). Your altimeter subscale is erroneously
set to 1013 hPa. Therefore, the indication will be:
A) 0 ft.
B) 700 ft.
C) 1080 ft.
D) 380 ft.
Flying from Marseilles (QNH 1012) to Palma (QNH 1015) at FL100. You do not reset the altimeter, why
would true altitude be the same throughout the flight?
A) Air at Palma is warmer than air at Marseilles.
B) Not possible to tell.
C) Air at Marseilles is warmer than air at Palma.
D) Blocked static vent.
You are planning to fly across a mountain range. The chart recommends a minimum altitude of 12000
feet above mean sea level. The air mass you will be flying through is an average 10° C warmer than
ISA. Your altimeter is set to 1023 hPa (QNH of a nearby airport at nearly sea level). What altitude will
the altimeter show when you have reached the recommended minimum altitude?
A) 11520 feet.
B) 11790 feet.
C) 11250 feet.
D) 12210 feet.
An aircraft, flying so that the altimeter indicates 2500 ft with the current regional QNH set in the
subscale, is flying towards an area of lower pressure. If the pilot fails to revise the subscale setting as
the QNH changes, then the aircraft will:
A) unable to answer this question without temperature information.
B) gradually climb.
C) gradually descend.
D) maintain 2500ft AMSL.
An aircraft is flying over the sea at FL 90; the true altitude is 9100 feet; local QNH is unknown. What
assumption, if any, can be made about the air mass in which the aircraft is flying?
A) There is insufficient information to make any assumption.
B) It is warmer than ISA.
C) Its average temperature is the same as ISA.
D) It is colder than ISA.
61. On takeoff, your altimeter is set to the local QNH of 1023 hPa. While passing the Transition
Altitude, you adjust the subscale accordingly:
A) Your indicated altitude decreases.
B) A statement is not possible without the knowledge of the exact OAT.
C) Your indicated altitude increases.
D) The altimeter setting must remain at 1023 hPa.
If it is necessary to set the altimeter from 29.15 to 29.85, what change will occur?
A) 70-foot increase in indicated altitude.
B) 70-foot increase in density altitude.
C) 700-foot increase in indicated altitude.
D) 7000-foot increase in indicated altitude.
QNH is defined as:
A) QFE reduced to MSL using the standard atmosphere.
B) The pressure at MSL obtained using the actual conditions.
C) The pressure at MSL obtained using the standard atmosphere.
D) QFE reduced to MSL using the actual conditions.
At an airport (200 m AMSL), a QNH of 1022 hPa is observed and the temperature is unknown:
A) The QFF equals 1022 hPa.
B) The QFF is lower than 1022 hPa.
C) The QFF is higher than 1022 hPa.
D) The QFF cannot be determined.
The pressure altitude is equal to the true altitude if:
A) the air pressure is 1013.25 hPa at the surface.
B) standard atmospheric conditions occur.
C) the indicated altitude is equal to the pressure altitude.
D) the outside air temperature is standard for that height.
An aircraft takes of from airfield A, elevation 270ft, with the QFE of 994mb correctly set. Without re-
setting the altimeter the pilot lands at airfield B, 405ft higher than A, with a QNH of 1000mb. Use
27ft/mb for calculations.
On landing the altimeter will read:
A) 405ft.
B) 513ft.
C) 405ft below zero.
D) 513ft below zero.
Suppose that you are flying at FL 40 and that you reset the altimeter to reference pressure 993 hPa.
The altimeter then indicates:
A) about 3.700 ft.
B) about 4.600 ft.
C) about 3.400 ft.
D) about 4.300 ft.
An airfield has an elevation of 540ft with a QNH of 993mb. An aircraft descends and lands at the
airfield with 1013mb set. What will its altimeter read on landing?
A) 0ft.
B) 380ft.
C) 540ft.
D) 1080ft.
An aircraft is to fly at an indicated altitude of 5000 ft from X( elevation 850 ft, QNH 984 hPa) to Y
(elevation 2300 ft QNH 1024 hPa). Assuming that the altimeter sub-scale is set to 984 mb and 1
hPa=30 ft, the height of the aircraft over X and Y will be:
A) 5.000 ft; 1.500 ft
B) 4.150 ft; 1.500 ft
C) 5.000 ft; 3.900 ft
D) 4.150 ft; 3.900 ft
What is pressure altitude?
A) The altitude indicated when the barometric pressure scale is set to 29.92.
B) The indicated altitude corrected for non-standard temperature and
pressure.
C) The indicated altitude corrected for position and installation error.
D) The absolute pressure which is corrected for altitude.
The QNH at an airfield 200m AMSL is 1009 hPa, air temperature is 10 C lower than standard. What is
the QFF?
A) 1009.
B) More than 1009.
C) Less than 1009.
D) Not possible to give a definite answer.
Flying at FL135, the Radio Altimeter indicates a true altitude of 13,500 ft. The local QNH is 1019 hPa.
Hence the crossed air mass is, on average:
A) Warmer than ISA.
B) Colder than ISA.
C) At ISA standard temperature.
D) There is insufficient information to determine the average temperature deviation.
An altimeter adjusted to 1013 hPa indicates an altitude of 3600 FT. Should this altimeter be adjusted
to the local QNH value of 991 hPa, the altitude indicated would be:
A) 3006 FT.
B) 4278 FT.
C) 4194 FT.
D) 2922 FT.
The QNH at an airfield in California located 69 metres below sea level is 1018 hPa. The air
temperature is 10° C higher than a standard atmosphere. What is the QFF?
A) More than 1018 hPa.
B) It is not possible to give a definitive answer.
C) 1018 hPa.
D) Less than 1018 hPa.
You are departing an aerodrome (600 ft AMSL, QNH 1012 hPa) and proceed to another airfield (195 ft
AMSL) with the same QNH. After landing, which barometric setting on the altimeter makes it again
indicate 600 ft?
A) 1027
B) 997
C) 1032
D) 992
If the QNH at Locarno (200 metres above sea level) is 1015 hPa, what is the approximate QFE?
(Assume lhPa = 8m)
A) 1005 hPa
B) 1000 hPa
C) 995 hPa
D) 990 hPa
If atmospheric conditions exist such that the temperature deviation is ISA 10° C in the lower
troposphere up to 18000 FT, what is the actual layer thickness between FL 60 and FL 120?
A) 5900 FT.
B) 5760 FT.
C) 6000 FT.
D) 6240 FT.
An aircraft flying at FL 100 from Marseille (QNH 1012 hPa) to Palma de Mallorca (QNH 1006 hPa)
experiences no change to true altitude. The reason for this is that:
A) the air at Palma de Mallorca is warmer than that at Marseille.
B) one of the two QNH values may be incorrect.
C) the altimeters are erroneous, and need to be tested.
D) the air at Palma de Mallorca is colder than that at Marseille
An aircraft is flying over the sea at FL 120, with a true altitude of 12.000 feet, local QNH is 1013 hPa.
What assumption, if any, can be made about the air mass in which the aircraft is flying?
A) Its average temperature is the same as ISA.
B) There is insufficient information to come to any conclusion.
C) It is colder than ISA.
D) It is warmer than ISA.
An aircraft lands at an airport (airport elevation 1240 FT, QNH 1008 hPa). The altimeter is set to 1013
hPa. The altimeter will indicate:
A) 1280 FT.
B) 1375 FT.
C) 1200 FT.
D) 1105 FT.
81. An aircraft is in level flight at FL100 over a mountain range, which extends up to 2400 metres
AMSL. If the regional QNH is 998 hPa, what is the approximate terrain clearance?
A) 7821 feet.
B) 1636 feet.
C) 2536 feet.
D) 405 feet.
The barometric compensator of an altimeter is locked on reference 1013.2 hPa. The aircraft has to
land on a point with an elevation of 290 feet where the QNH is 1023 hPa. Assuming that 1 hPa
corresponds to 27 FT, the reading on the altimeter on the ground will be:
A) 560 FT.
B) 11 FT.
C) -10 FT.
D) 20 FT.
At an airport (200 m AMSL), a QNH of 1009 hPa and a temperature 10° C lower than ISA is observed:
A) the QFF equals 1009 hPa.
B) the QFF cannot be determined.
C) the QFF is higher than 1016 hPa.
D) the QFF is lower than 1016 hPa.
Which weather condition lowers true altitude as compared to pressure altitude to a position where
flight over mountains could be dangerous?
A) Warm depression.
B) Cold high.
C) Cold low.
D) Warm high.
You intend to overfly a mountain range. The recommended minimum flight altitude is, according to
the aviation chart, 15000 FT/AMSL. The air mass that you will fly through is on average 15° C warmer
than the standard atmosphere. The altimeter is set to QNH (1023 hPa). At what altimeter reading will
you effectively be at the recommended minimum flight altitude?
A) 13830 FT.
B) 14100 FT.
C) 15900 FT.
D) 14370 FT.
During a flight over the sea at FL 100 from Marseille (QNH 1012 hPa) to Palma de Mallorca (QNH 1012
hPa), the true altitude is constantly increasing. What action, if any, should be taken?
A) Have your altimeter checked, because its readings are obviously wrong.
B) None, the reason for the change is that the air around Palma is warmer
than the air around Marseille.
C) Recheck the QNH because one of the QNH values must be wrong.
D) Compensate by heading further to the left.
The difference between QNH and QFE at an airport is:
A) dependent on the (ambient) air temperature of the airport.
B) dependent on the air pressure as well as the air temperature of the airport.
C) dependent on the air pressure at the airport.
D) always the same.
When landing at an airport you have correctly set QNH = 1023 hPa as reference pressure on your
altimeter. The altimeter indicates 1200 ft after landing. Suppose that you change the pressure
reference to standard setting (1013hPa). What will your altimeter indicate?
A) 0 ft
B) 1.200 ft
C) 1.500 ft
D) 900ft
QFE 1000 hPa at an altitude of 200 m AMSL. What will the approximate QNH be?
A) 985 hPa.
B) 990 hPa.
C) 1035 hPa.
D) 1025 hPa.
Aerodrome QNH is the:
A) aerodrome pressure converted to msl assuming actual conditions between the levels.
B) aerodrome pressure converted to msl assuming ISA conditions between the levels.
C) atmospheric pressure at aerodrome level.
D) aerodrome QFE converted to msl assuming constant temperature
between the levels.
Which of the following conditions gives the highest value of the QNH?
A) QFE = 1003 hPa, elevation = 1200 FT (366m).
B) QFE = 1000 hPa, elevation = 1200 FT (366m).
C) QFE = 995 hPa, elevation = 1600 FT (488m).
D) QFE = 995 hPa, elevation = 1200 FT (366m).
Your altimeter is blocked at 1000 hPa. You have to overfly a mountain (8000 ft) with a terrain
clearance of at least 1500 ft. What will be your indicated altitude when the QNH of a nearby airport is
990 hPa and the temperature is 10C colder than ISA?
A) 8850 ft.
B) 10501 ft.
C) 10150 ft.
D) 9500 ft.
When the subscale is set to the QNH of an airfield the pressure altimeter indicates:
A) elevation while landing.
B) zero while landing.
C) zero while landing only if conditions are as in the International Standard
Atmosphere.
D) elevation while landing only if conditions are as in the International
Standard Atmosphere.
What is the relationship, if any, between QFE and QNH at an airport situated 5O FT below sea level?
A) QFE equals QNH.
B) QFE is smaller than QNH.
C) No clear relationship exists.
D) QFE is greater than QNH.
You are flying at FL 130, and your true altitude is 12000 FT. What is the temperature deviation from
that of the standard atmosphere at FL 130 (QNH 1013,2 hPa)?
A) ISA -20° C
B) ISA +12° C
C) ISA +20° C
D) ISA +/-0° C
Landing at an airfield with QNH set the pressure altimeter reads:
A) Zero feet on landing only if ISA conditions prevail.
B) Zero.
C) The elevation of the airfield.
D) Pressure Altitude.
You must make an emergency landing at sea. The QNH of a field on a nearby island with an elevation
of 4000 FT is 1025 hPa and the temperature is -20° C. What is your pressure altimeter reading when
landing if 1025 hPa is set in the subscale?
A) 0 FT.
B) Less than 0 FT.
C) 4.000 FT.
D) More than 0 FT, but less than 4.000 FT.
At the official measuring level for a specific airport, an aircraft altimeter, set at QNH for the airport,
should read:
A) the elevation of the airport, regardless of temperature.
B) zero, regardless of temperature.
C) the elevation of the airport, but only at standard ISA temperature.
D) zero, only at standard ISA temperature.
Which of the following statements is true?
A) QNH is always higher than QFE.
B) NH is always equal to QFE.
C) QNH is always lower than QFE.
D) QNH can be equal to QFE.
An aircraft must clear an obstacle at 2000ft elevation by 1000ft. Regional QNH is correctly set at
998mb, the OAT at 3000ft indicated is -10& #351;C. At what indicated altitude will the 1000ft
clearance be achieved:
A) 3160ft.
B) 2240ft.
C) 3120ft.
D) 3240ft.
141. An aircraft takes off from Doha (elevation 30f ft) with the correct airfield QNH of 1020mb set on
the altimeter.
The aircraft then lands at Al Ain (elevation 500 ft) but without re-setting the altimeter sub-scale. If the
QNH at Al Ain at the time of landing was 1015mb, what would the aircrafts altimeter read on touch-
down (1mb = 30 ft).
A) 450 ft
B) zero
C) 950 ft
D) 650 ft
If the Bahrain QNH = 1003mb, how thick is the Transition Layer assuming that 1mb = 40 ft at
altitude; the Bahrain TA = 13.000 ft and the TL is FL 150?
A) 1.600 ft
B) 600 ft
C) 1.210 ft
D) 1.500 ft
At an airport (0 m AMSL), a QNH of 1022 hPa is observed and the temperature is unknown:
A) the QFF is higher than 1022 hPa.
B) the QFF cannot be determined.
C) the QFF equals 1022 hPa.
D) the QFF is lower than 1022 hPa.
The diagram below shows positions A and B on an aircrafts planned route. The aircraft is flying at FL
100 and H1 at position A is 9.610 ft using a radar altimeter. If QNH at B (4 000 ft AMSL) is 996 hPa
and assuming 1hPa =30ft, the change is both aircraft height AMSL and QNH between A and B can be
described as:
A) height AMSL is increasing and pressure is decreasing.
B) height AMSL is decreasing and pressure is increasing.
C) height AMSL is increasing and pressure is increasing.
D) height AMSL is is decreasing and pressure is decreasing.
You plan a flight over a mountain range at a true altitude of 15000 FT/AMSL. The air is on an average
15° C colder than ISA, the pressure at sea level is 1003 hPa. What indication must the altimeter
(setting 1013.2 hPa) read?
A) 13830 FT.
B) 16230 FT.
C) 15690 FT.
D) 14370 FT.
Before landing, an altimeter set to QFE indicates:
A) the aircraft's altitude above the mean sea level.
B) in standard atmosphere, the height of the aircraft above the official airport elevation.
C) the height of the aircrafts wheels above the runway.
D) the flight level.
Flying over mountains in ISA +9, QNH set as 1023 (obtained from a nearby airfield). What will the
true altitude be when 6,000ft is reached?
A) 6,075 ft.
B) 5,784 ft.
C) 6,216 ft.
D) 5,925 ft.
At which pressure and temperature conditions may you safely assume that the minimum usable flight
level at least lies at the same height, as the minimum safe altitude?
A) At a temperature greater than or equal to that of the ISA and where the QNH is
greater than or equal to 1013 hPa.
B) In a cold low pressure region.
C) In a warm high pressure region.
D) At a temperature less than or equal to that of the ISA and where the QNH is less than 1013 hPa.
What happens when you descend from 2000 ft to the surface, when no fronts are present?
A) The wind veers and decreases.
B) The wind backs and the wind speed remains more or less constant.
C) The wind veers and increases.
D) The wind backs and decreases.
In the Northern Hemisphere the surface wind is blowing around a low pressure:
A) anti-clockwise, oblique to the isobars towards the low pressure centre.
B) parallel to the isobars.
C) across the isobars.
D) opposite the situation described in a)
The direction of the gradient force is:
A) Parallel to the isobars.
B) Same direction as the friction force.
C) Towards high pressure.
D) Towards low pressure.
Thermal wind in the Northern Hemisphere blows with:
A) Cold air to the right.
B) Warm air to the right.
C) Cold air to the left.
D) Warm air to the left.
If the wind at altitude is 240/35 KT, the most likely wind on the surface at an inland airfield is:
A) 270/40 KT.
B) 220/20 KT.
C) 220/40 KT.
D) 270/20 KT.
What is the approximate speed of a 90 km/h wind, expressed in knots:
A) 50 kt.
B) 55 kt.
C) 60 kt.
D) 70 kt.
In an anticyclone in the Northern Hemisphere, with curved isobars, the speed of the gradient wind...
A) is greater than the geostrophic wind.
B) depends on Coriolis force only.
C) is lower than the geostrophic wind.
D) equals the cyclostrophic wind.
What prevents air from flowing directly from a high to a low pressure?
A) Pressure force.
B) Centripetal force.
C) Coriolis force.
D) Centrifugal force.
The wind tends to follow the contour lines (isohypses) above the friction layer because:
A) the Coriolis force acts perpendicular on a line that connects high and low
pressure system.
B) the friction of the air with the earth's surface gives the airflow a diversion
perpendicular to the gradient force.
C) the Coriolis force tends to balance with the horizontal pressure gradient
force.
D) contour lines are lines that connect points with the same windspeed in
the upper air.
28.
Wind at 2000 ft 06045KT. What would you expect at the surface over the sea approximately?
A) 04540KT.
B) 07512KT.
C) 04512KT.
D) 07540KT.
In contrast to brief showers, prolonged precipitation preceding a front is most likely to be related to:
A) Stratiform clouds with moderate turbulence.
B) Cumuliform clouds with moderate turbulence.
C) Cumuliform cloud with little or no turbulence.
D) Shallow Stratiform clouds with little or no turbulence.
A Foehn wind is:
A) a warm wind which flows down the leeside of a mountain due to the pressure
distribution.
B) a wind which flows down the leeside of a mountain due to its greater density.
C) a dry wind which blows through a mountain gap or valley.
D) a warm dry wind which blows down the leeside of a mountain.
Define high pressure:
A) An area with higher pressure than that of the environments.
B) A high pressure ridge.
C) Non of the above.
D) An area of divergence.
What is evaporation?
A) The change of state from water vapour to water.
B) The change of state from ice to water.
C) The change of state from ice to water vapour or from water vapour to ice.
D) The change of state from water to water vapour.
32
What values are used for the forecasted wind at higher levels?
A) Direction relative to grid north and speed in km/h.
B) Direction relative to true north and speed in knots.
C) Direction relative to magnetic north and speed in km/h.
D) Direction relative to magnetic north and speed in knots.
Assuming a generalised zonal system of world wind circulation, the NE trade winds are applicable to
zone?
A) Easterly wave.
B) Trade winds.
C) Low level jet stream.
D) Monsoon.
The effect of wind is to ... the difference in temperature between ground level and 4 ft:
A) increase
B) decrease
C) cancel
D) equalise
Wind at 2000 ft 20040KT. What would you expect at the surface over the sea approximately?
A) 22020KT.
B) 18515KT.
C) 18540KT.
D) 22040KT.
If the wind is from the north, wind direction is reported as:
A) 360°
B) 180°
C) 270°
D) 090°
What can you expect at FL 180, when the wind is geostrophic and your true altitude is 18.000 ft?
A) Crosswind from the right.
B) No crosswind.
C) Crosswind from the left.
D) None of the above.
41. What prevents air from flowing directly from high-pressure areas to low-pressure areas?
A) The pressure gradient force.
B) Coriolis force.
C) Katabatic force.
D) Surface friction.
What causes surface winds to flow across the isobars at an angle rather than parallel to the isobars?
A) Coriolis force.
B) Surface friction.
C) The greater density of the air at the surface.
D) The greater atmospheric pressure at the surface.
Which of the following statements is untrue?
A) The Coriolis force deflects the wind to the right in the Northern
hemisphere only.
B) The geostrophic force deflects the wind to the left in the Southern
hemisphere.
C) The Coriolis force deflects the wind to the right in both hemispheres.
D) The geostrophic force is the same as the Coriolis force.
What can on a Significant Weather Chart be depicted?
A) The amount of rain in a certain area.
B) The speed and direction of a surface front.
C) The actual weather situation.
D) The speed and direction of an upper front.
During periods of prolonged clear skies associated with anticyclonic conditions, the:
A) surface wind speed tends to be highest during the early afternoon.
B) surface wind speed tends to be highest at night.
C) wind tends to back from early morning until early afternoon.
D) angle between isobars and surface wind direction tends to be greatest in
the early afternoon.
Buys Ballots Law implies that:
A) the wind blows clockwise round a depression in the southern hemisphere
only.
B) the wind blows anti-clockwise round depressions in both hemispheres.
C) the wind blows clockwise round an anticyclone in the southern
hemisphere.
D) the wind blows anti-clockwise round anti-cyclones in the Northern
hemisphere.
What does zone B depict?
A) The cold front.
B) A ridge.
C) The warm sector.
D) A trough.
Due to the diurnal variations of temperature the following types of wind arise:
A) Sea and land breeze.
B) Anabatic winds.
C) Trade-winds.
D) Monsoon winds.
What is a feature of air movement in a high pressure area?
A) Ascending from the surface high to lower pressure at higher altitudes.
B) Descending to the surface and the inward.
C) Moving outward from the high at high altitudes and into the high at the
surface.
D) Descending to the surface and the outward.
Which statement is true?
A) The general visibility associated with a cold front is worse than the
visibility associated with a warm front.
B) The general visibility associated with a cold front is the same than the
visibility associated with a warm front.
C) None of the above - more factors are involved.
D) The general visibility associated with a cold front is better than the
visibility associated with a warm front.
Wind is caused by?
A) Earth rotation.
B) Surface friction.
C) Horizontal pressure difference.
D) Mixing of fronts.
Name the conditions for the formation of radiation fog:
A) over the sea with a 20KT wind.
B) mountainous terrain with winds of approx. 10 KT, overcast skies.
C) flat landscape, a clear night, winds of 10-20KT.
D) flat landscape, a clear night, no wind conditions.
At which location does Coriolis force have the least effect on wind direction?
A) At the Equator.
B) It is almost constant everywhere on earth.
C) At the poles.
D) Middle latitudes (30° to 60° ).
61.
The difference between geostrophic wind and gradient wind is caused by:
A) horizontal temperature gradients.
B) slope of pressure surfaces.
C) curvature of isobars.
D) friction.
You fly from east to west at the 500 hPa level in the Northern hemisphere:
A) You fly towards an area of low pressure, and, therefore, experience a loss
in altitude.
B) If the wind is from the North, there is a gain in altitude.
C) If you encounter a northerly drift, there is a gain in altitude.
D) If the wind is from the South, there is a gain in altitude.
If the wind is from the East, the wind direction is reported as:
A) 090°
B) 360°
C) 180°
D) 270°
What is the term used to describe streamers of precipitation trailing beneath clouds, but evaporating
before reaching the ground:
A) Foehn.
B) None of the above.
C) Virga.
D) Dissipation trails.
What relationship exists between the winds at 2000 ft above the surface and the surface winds?
A) The winds at 2000 ft and the surface winds flow in the same direction,
but the surface winds are weaker due to friction.
B) The winds at 2000 ft tend to parallel the isobars while the surface winds
cross the isobars at an angle toward lower pressure and are weaker.
C) The winds at 2000 ft and the surface winds are approximately the same
except when eddies form due to obstructions.
D) The surface winds tend to veer to the right of the winds at 2000 ft and
are visually weaker.
Which precipitation type normally indicates freezing rain at some altitude above the ground?
A) Snow.
B) Hail.
C) Ice crystals.
D) Ice pellets.
What pressure does an observer at point C
encounter in the next hour?
A) Rising pressure.
B) Falling pressure.
C) No substantial pressure change.
D) A pressure rise first, then an
immediate pressure drop.
How does Coriolis force affect wind direction in the Southern Hemisphere?
A) Causes clockwise rotation around a low.
B) Causes wind to flow out of a low toward a high.
C) Causes anti-clockwise rotation around a low.
D) Has exactly the same effect as in the Northern Hemisphere.
Why are there no or very few clouds, when a high pressure area is present?
A) Because of rising air, cooling adiabatically at the saturated adiabatic lapse rate.
B) Because of subsiding air, subject to adiabatic heating.
C) The air is warmed from below.
D) Warm air moves over a cold surface, thus, generating stability.
Which of the following is most likely to occur after passage of a cold front?
A) A fall in pressure, a fall in temperature and dew point.
B) A rise in pressure, a fall in temperature and a rise in dew point.
C) A rise in pressure, a fall in temperature and dew point.
D) A fall in pressure, a rise in temperature and dew point.
72.
What is condensation?
A) The change of state from water to water vapour.
B) The change of state from water vapour to water.
C) The change of state from ice to water vapour or from water vapour to ice.
D) The change of state from ice to water.
The precipitation form +TSRA is most probably related to the following cloud type:
A) CB
B) CC
C) CU
D) NS
When flying in a sub-zero 0° C airmass, into which rain is falling, which of the following is most likely?
A) Rime ice.
B) Hoar frost.
C) Hail.
D) Freezing rain.
In an area of Converging air:
A) clouds can not be formed.
B) clouds can be formed.
C) convective clouds can be dissolved.
D) stratified clouds can be dissolved.
What is the approximate speed of a 25-knot wind, expressed in kilometres per hour?
A) 45 km/h.
B) 55 km/h.
C) 35 km/h.
D) 60 km/h.
What are trade winds?
A) The westerly wind zones.
B) The polar easterly winds.
C) Foen winds in alpine valleys.
D) The wind zones towards the Intertropical Convergence Zone.
Fog which reaches only 2 metres above ground or 10 metres above the sea is called:
A) Mist.
B) Drifting fog.
C) Smog.
D) Shallow fog.
With respect to high and low pressure systems:
A) A low pressure area or trough is an area of descending air.
B) A high pressure area or ridge is an area of rising air.
C) A high pressure area or ridge is an area of descending air.
D) A high pressure area or trough is an area of rising air.
If you are flying into an area of low pressure, what drift would you expect to experience in the
northern hemisphere?
A) None.
B) Ice directly to water vapour.
C) Left drift.
D) Right drift.
92.
The gradient wind blows parallel to curved isobars:
A) due to a combination of pressure gradient force, geostrophic force and
cyclostrophic force.
B) when pressure gradient force and geostrophic force are in balance.
C) in low latitudes when the geostrophic force is small.
D) due to a combination of pressure gradient force and cyclostrophic force.
Possible mountain wave turbulence should be anticipated in cases where wind speeds of:
A) 25 kts. or greater blow parallel to a mountain peak, and the air is stable.
B) 20 kts. or greater blow across a mountain ridge, and the air is unstable.
C) 25 kts. or greater blow across a mountain ridge, and the air is stable.
D) 25 kts. or greater blow down a mountain valley, and the air is unstable.
For a given pressure gradient the strongest wind will be the ... wind, around a ... pressure region at ...
latitude.
A) geostrophic, low, 60N
B) gradient, high, 60N
C) gradient, high, 30N
D) geostrophic, low, 30N
What is the approximate speed of a 40-knot wind, expressed in m/sec?
A) 25 m/sec.
B) 30 m/sec.
C) 15 m/sec.
D) 20 m/sec.
What is the difference between Gradient and Geostrophic winds?
A) Curved isobars and straight isobars.
B) Different latitudes and densities.
C) A lot of friction.
D) Difference in temperatures.
Primary cause of wind:
Which forces are balanced with geostrophic winds?
A) Pressure gradient force, Coriolis force.
B) Pressure gradient force, Coriolis force, centrifugal force.
C) Friction force, pressure gradient force, Coriolis force.
D) Pressure gradient force, centrifugal force, friction force.
The wind which results from the warming on the side of a valley is known as:
A) a valley wind.
B) a katabatic wind.
C) an anabatic wind.
D) a Foehn wind.
What characteristics will the surface winds have in an area where the isobars on the weather map are
very close together?
A) Moderate and parallel to the isobars.
B) Strong and flowing across the isobars.
C) Very weak but gusty and flowing across the isobars.
D) Strong and parallel to the isobars.
The error introduced in geostrophic or gradient wind calculations when the pressure is changing
rapidly is the:
A) geothermal effect.
B) convergence correction.
C) Foehn effect.
D) isallobaric effect.
The wind, which blows when the gradient and geostrophic forces are in balance, is:
A) the geostrophic wind.
B) the gradient wind.
C) the Coriolis wind.
D) the surface.
Select the true statement concerning isobars and wind flow patterns around high and low pressure
systems that are shown on a pressure chart:
A) When the isobars are close together, the pressure gradient force is stronger, and
wind velocities are higher.
B) When the isobars are far apart, crests of standing waves may be marked by
lenticularis clouds.
C) When the isobars are close together, the pressure gradient force is weaker, and
wind velocities are lower.
D) Surface winds flow perpendicular to the isobars.
Where are you likely to find the strongest winds close to the ground?
A) At the centre of a low-pressure system.
B) Where there is little variation in pressure over a large area during the winter
months.
C) At the centre of a high-pressure system.
D) In the transition zone between two air masses.
In a warm front, a freezing level of 10.000 ft in the warm air and 2.000 ft in the cold air is observed.
Where is the probability for FZRA the lowest?
A) 1000 ft.
B) 10.000 ft.
C) 12.000 ft.
D) 5.000 ft.
In the southern hemisphere what wind effect would you expect when flying from a high pressure area
towards a low pressure area at FL 100?
A) Headwind with no drift.
B) Tailwind with no drift.
C) Wind from the right.
D) Wind from the left.
When flying at FL 180 in the Northern Hemisphere you experience a right drift:
A) your TA increases.
B) not enough information is provided to determine the TA.
C) your TA decreases.
D) your TA remains unchanged.
The Thermal Wind in a layer is defined as:
A) that wind which must be added vectorialy to the geostrophic wind at the
lower level in order to obtain the geostrophic wind at the upper level.
B) the wind caused by the pressure gradient which tries to move air from
high pressure to low pressure.
C) the wind resulting from an horizontal temperature gradient.
D) the vector difference between the wind at the same height in warm and
cold air.
Select the true statement concerning isobars and wind flow patterns around high- and low-pressure
systems that are shown on a surface weather chart.
A) Isobars connect contour lines of equal temperature.
B) When the isobars are far apart, crest of standing waves may be marked
by stationary lenticularis clouds.
C) Surface winds flow perpendicular to the isobars.
D) When the isobars are close together, the pressure gradient force is
greater and wind velocities are stronger.
The geostrophic wind is greater than the gradient wind around a low pressure system because the:
A) centrifugal force is added to the pressure gradient.
B) Coriolis force is added to the pressure gradient.
C) Coriolis force opposes to the centrifugal force.
D) centrifugal force opposes the pressure gradient.
Assuming a constant pressure gradient, the gradient wind speed would be slowest:
A) at 50 N around an anticyclone.
B) at 30 N around an anticyclone.
C) at 30 N around a depression.
D) at 50 N around a depression.
Under anticyclone conditions in the northern hemisphere, with curved isobars the speed of the
gradient wind is:
A) the same as the thermal component.
B) proportional only to the Coriolis force.
C) less than the geostrophic wind.
D) greater than the geostrophic wind.
The wind speed in a system with curved isobars compared to a system with straight isobars is (other
conditions being the same):
A) higher if curvature is anticyclonic.
B) higher if curvature is cyclonic.
C) always lower.
D) always higher.
For a similar pressure gradient, the geostrophic wind speed will be?
A) greater at 60° N than at 30° N.
B) greater at 30° N than at 60° N.
C) equivalent to gradient wind ± thermal component.
D) the same at all latitudes north or south of 15° .
An aircraft flying in the southern hemisphere at 2000 feet, has to turn to the right in order to allow for
drift. In which direction, relative to the aircraft, is the centre of low pressure?
A) To the right.
B) Behind.
C) In front.
D) To the left.
In the Northern hemisphere, surface friction causes the geostrophic wind to:
A) veer and increase.
B) back and increase.
C) back and decrease.
D) veer and decrease.
In the Northern Hemisphere, if the wind at the surface overland in mid-afternoon is 240/20, the wind
at 3000ft is most likely to be:
A) 270/40.
B) 260/30.
C) 230/20.
D) 220/10.
When isobars, for an area in the mid-latitudes on a weather map, are close together, the wind is most
likely to be:
A) blowing perpendicular to the isobars.
B) light.
C) changing direction rapidly.
D) strong.
Geostrophic wind:
A) always increases with increasing height.
B) is directly proportional to the density of the air.
C) veers with height if cold air is advected in the northern hemisphere.
D) is perpendicular to the horizontal pressure gradient force.
Within a depression, two air masses meet so that a warm front is formed. In relation to a typical warm
front:
A) Cold air will be replaced by warm air, the frontal slope will be around 1:150.
B) Warm air will be replaced by cold air, the frontal slope will be around 1:150.
C) Cold air will be replaced by warm air, the frontal slope will be around 1:50.
D) Warm air will be replaced by cold air, the frontal slope will be around 1:50.
For the same pressure gradient at 60° N, 50° N and 40° N the speed of the geostrophic wind will be:
A) greatest at 60° N.
B) greatest at 40° N.
C) least at 50° N.
D) the same at all latitudes.
State the altitude at which the core of the Arctic Jet Stream can be found:
A) 40000 ft.
B) 30000 ft.
C) 20000 ft.
D) 50000 ft.
General Circulation:
At a coastal airfield, with the runway parallel to the coastline. You are downwind over the
sea with the runway to your right. On a warm summer afternoon, what would you expect
the wind to be on finals?
A) Tailwind.
B) Crosswind from the left.
C) Headwind.
D) Crosswind from the right.
With all other things being equal with a high and a low having constantly spaced circular
isobars. Where is the wind the fastest?
A) Cyclonic.
B) Wherever the PGF is greatest.
C) Anticyclonic.
D) Where the isobars are closest together.
Flying away from a low in the Southern Hemisphere at low altitudes, where is the wind
coming from?
A) From the left and slightly on the nose.
B) From the right and slightly on the nose.
C) From the rear and slightly on the right.
D) From the rear and slightly on the left.
5/146.
6/147.
Which of the following alternatives is the correct one, regarding the surface wind in relation
to the air pressure in the Northern Hemisphere?
A) The wind blows counter-clockwise around a high and clockwise around a low.
B) The wind blows counter-clockwise around a low and slants across the isobars towards lower pressure.
C) The wind around a high pressure blows clockwise and slants across the isobars towards higher pressure.
D) The wind over land blows parallel to the isobars.
9/150.
Which upper level chart do you use when preparing a flight at a cruising altitude of FL 170?
A) 700 hPa.
B) 850 hPa.
C) 500 hPa.
D) 300 hPa.
The general circulation of air associated with a high pressure area in the northern hemisphere is:
A) Difference in temperatures.
B) Different latitudes and densities.
C) Curved isobars and straight isobars.
D) A lot of friction.
Considering Melbourne (C) in July, the weather is predominantly influenced by the zone of:
A) equatorial low pressure due to the proximity of the Intertropical
convergence zone over central Australia.
B) disturbed temperate low pressure, bringing an almost continuous
succession of fronts resulting in strong winds, low cloud and rain.
C) Antarctic high pressure due to the absence of any protective land mass
between south Australia and Antarctica.
D) subtropical high pressure, with the occasional passage of fronts
originating in the adjacent zone of disturbed temperate low pressure.
Between which latitudes are you most likely to find the subtropical high-pressure belt?
A) 35° - 55° .
B) 25° - 35° .
C) 55° - 75° .
D) 10° - 15° .
17/158.
In the idealised world circulation, upper air moving out of the equatorial regions will be turned to the
… in the … hemisphere and … in the … hemisphere:
A) right; northern; right; southern
B) right; southern; left; northern
C) right; northern; left; southern
D) left; northern; left; southern
You are flying from east to west in the northern hemisphere at the 500 hPa pressure surface. Which of
the following statements is correct?
A) If the wind is from the north you are gaining altitude.
B) If you have a tail wind you are losing altitude.
C) If the wind is from the south you are gaining altitude.
D) If you have a head wind you are gaining altitude.
In the central part of the Atlantic Ocean between 10° N and 20° N the prevailing winds are:
A) SE trade winds.
B) SW winds throughout the whole year.
C) NE trade winds.
D) NE monsoon in winter and SW monsoon in summer.
23/164.
When a cold front has passed over an airfield, the wind will:
A) veer.
B) become laminar.
C) not change.
D) reverse.
27/168
Turbulence:
On a clear summer day, turbulence caused by solar heating is most pronounced:
A) about midmorning.
B) immediately after sunset.
C) during the early afternoon.
D) during early morning hours before sunrise.
What degree of turbulence, if any, is likely to be encountered while flying through a cold front in the
summer over Central Europe at FL 100?
A) Light turbulence in CB cloud.
B) Light turbulence in ST cloud.
C) Moderate turbulence in NS cloud.
D) Severe turbulence in CB cloud.
Which of the following symbols show a hazard for
IFR flights, according to ICAO?
A) B
B) A, C
C) C
D) A, D
If a strongly wind perpendicular to a ridge decreases or reverses in direction at medium and high
levels the likely result is:
A) stationary rotors with light turbulence.
B) travelling rotors with very severe turbulence.
C) stationary rotors with very severe turbulence.
D) travelling rotors with light turbulence.
Which degree of aircraft turbulence is determined by the following ICAO description? There may be
moderate changes in aircraft attitude and/or altitude but the aircraft remains in positive control at all
times. Usually, small variations in air speed. Changes in accelerometer readings of 0.5 to 1.0 g at the
aircrafts center of gravity.
Occupants feel strain against seat belts. Loose objects move about. Food service and walking are
difficult.
A) Moderate.
B) Light.
C) Violent.
D) Severe.
The geostrophic wind is less than the gradient wind around an anticyclone because the:
A) centrifugal force is added to the pressure gradient.
B) effect of Coriolis is added to friction.
C) Coriolis effect opposes the centrifugal force.
D) centrifugal force opposes the pressure gradient.
If Paris reports a wind of 08010KT on the METAR, what wind velocity would you expect to encounter at
a height of 2000 feet above the ground?
A) 08005KT.
B) 05020KT.
C) 11020KT.
D) 08015KT.
If Paris reports a wind of 19015KT on the METAR, what wind velocity would you expect to encounter at
a height of 2000 feet above the ground?
A) 22030KT.
B) 25025KT.
C) 22010KT.
D) 16020KT.
The wind at the surface is 240/15KT. What is it most likely to be at 2000 ft?
A) 260/25 KT.
B) 280/15 KT.
C) 220/30 KT.
D) 220/25 KT.
If the wind at London Heathrow airport at midday is 090/15 KT, then by 1600 LMT it could be
expected to have become:
A) 050/20 KT.
B) 090/10 KT.
C) 120/20 KT.
D) 090/30 KT.
At the approach of a warm front (northern hemisphere) the wind direction changes from the surface
up to the tropopause. The effect of this change is that the wind:
A) backs in the friction layer and backs above the friction layer.
B) veers in the friction layer and veers above the friction layer.
C) backs in the friction layer and veers above the friction layer.
D) veers in the friction layer and backs above the friction layer.
You are flying at 2.500 ft AGL, with a southerly wind, and intend to land at an airport at sea level
directly below.
From approximately which direction would you expect the surface wind (mid-latitude, northern
hemisphere)?
A) South-southeast.
B) South-southwest.
C) South.
D) Southwest.
The vertical extent of the friction layer depends primarily on:
A) temperature, local time, environmental lapse rate.
B) roughness of surface, temperature, local time.
C) stability, wind speed, roughness of surface.
D) wind speed, roughness of surface, temperature.
You are flying at 2.500 FT/AGL, with a southerly wind, and intend to land at an airport, at sea level
directly below. From approximately which direction would you expect the surface wind (mid-latitude,
northern hemisphere)?
A) Southwest.
B) South-southwest.
C) South-southeast.
D) South.
An aircraft is approaching under visual flight rules an airfield whose runway is parallel to the coast.
When downwind over the sea, the airfield is on the left. What wind effect should be anticipated on
final approach and landing during a sunny afternoon?
A) Headwind.
B) Crosswind from the right.
C) Crosswind from the left.
D) Tailwind.
During a descent from 2.000 FT above the surface to the surface (no frontal passage) the wind
normally:
A) backs and increases.
B) backs and decreases.
C) veers and increases.
D) veers and decreases.
Comparing the surface wind to the 3000ft wind:
A) they are the same.
B) surface wind blows along the isobars and is less than the 3000ft wind.
C) surface wind veers and is less then the 3000ft wind.
D) surface wind blows across the isobars and is less than the 3000ft wind.
The magnitude of the geostrophic force:
A) increases with decrease of wind speed.
B) increases with increase of wind speed.
C) decreases with an increase of latitude.
D) is not affected by the windspeed.
In a low pressure system the convergence at the surface is caused by:
A) centripetal forces.
B) the imbalance of the horizontal gradient force and the Coriolis force.
C) the curvature of the isobars.
D) frictional forces.
The wind blowing at the surface, at an airfield in the U.K. at night will have... when compared to that
which existed there during the day.
A) backed and increased
B) backed and decreased
C) veered and decreased
D) veered and increased
A METAR for Paris gave the surface wind at 260/20. Wind at 2000ft is most likely to be:
A) 290/40.
B) 260/15.
C) 175/15.
D) 210/30.
If Paris reports a wind of 30012KT on the METAR, what wind velocity would you expect to encounter at
a height of 2000 feet above the ground?
A) 23030KT.
B) 27020KT.
C) 33025KT.
D) 30025KT.
In the lower layers of the atmosphere due to friction the wind changes direction towards the low
pressure area because:
A) wind speed decreases and therefore Coriolis force decreases.
B) turbulence is formed and pressure increases.
C) the pressure gradient increases.
D) turbulence is formed and pressure decreases.
Local Winds:
In a polar maritime air stream the surface wind at midnight compared to the surface wind at midday
has:
A) Backed and decreased.
B) Backed and increased.
C) Veered and decreased.
D) Veered and increased.
A high pressure area (shallow pressure gradient) covers an area of the Mediterranean Sea and its
nearby airport. What surface wind direction is likely at the airport on a sunny afternoon?
A) Land to sea.
B) Parallel to the coastline.
C) Variable.
D) Sea to land.
Westerly waves are a feature of ... hemisphere winds, and easterly waves of the ... winds.
A) northern; polar
B) northern; tropical
C) southern; tropical
D) southern; mid-latitude
What is the relationship between the 5000 ft wind and the surface wind in the southern hemisphere?
A) Surface winds are veered from the 5000ft and have the same speed.
B) Surface winds are backed from the 5000ft and have a faster speed.
C) Surface winds are backed from the 5000ft and have a slower speed.
D) Surface winds are veered from the 5000ft and have a slower speed.
A katabatic wind is a wind which:
A) flows up a hill or mountain during the night.
B) flows down a hill or mountain during the night.
C) flows down a hill or mountain during the day.
D) flows up a hill or mountain during the day.
Which of the following is true concerning an aircraft that is flying at FL180 in the northern hemisphere,
where wind is geostrophic and the true altitude remains constant?
A) There is a cross wind from the left.
B) There is a cross wind from the right.
C) There is no cross wind.
D) Without knowing temperature at FL 180 this question can not be
answered.
The most frequent wind direction in a valley caused by thermal effects is toward the:
A) valley during daylight hours.
B) valley during daylight as much as at night.
C) mountain during daylight hours.
D) mountain at night.
An aircraft is approaching under visual flight rules an airfield whose runway is parallel to the coast.
When downwind over the sea, the airfield is on the right. What wind effect should be anticipated on
final approach and landing during a sunny afternoon?
A) Tailwind.
B) Crosswind from the right.
C) Headwind.
D) Crosswind from the left.
Which type wind flows down slope becoming warmer and dryer?
A) Land breeze.
B) Katabatic wind.
C) Mountain breeze.
D) Valley wind.
At an airfield in Australia the free-stream low level wind is 360/20kt. The thermal component to
30,000ft is 80kt, and the cold air is to the south. The wind at 30,000ft would be:
A) 090/80kt.
B) 070/85kt.
C) 290/85kt.
D) 270/75kt.
When otherwise calm and clear conditions exist a station on the shore of a large body of water will
experience wind:
A) from the water in daytime and from the land at night.
B) from the land in daytime and from the water at night.
C) continually from land to water.
D) continually from water to the land.
21. You are flying to an airfield on an east coast to arrive in the early afternoon and you suspect a sea
breeze will be blowing when you arrive, what is the most likely direction of the surface wind just after
the sea breeze has reached the airfield?
A) 350°
B) 260°
C) 190°
D) 100°
In the northern hemisphere with an anticyclonic pressure system the geostrophic wind at 2.000 FT
over the sea is 060/15. At the same position the surface wind is most likely to be:
A) 075/12
B) 045/12
C) 060/12
D) 060/18
A mountain breeze (katabatic wind) blows:
A) up the slope during the day.
B) down the slope during the day.
C) up the slope during the night.
D) down the slope during the night.
In the northern hemisphere a pilot flying at 1000 FT/AGL directly towards the centre of a low pressure
area, will find the wind blowing from:
A) right and behind.
B) about 45 degrees to the right of directly ahead.
C) directly ahead.
D) left and behind.
Friction between the air and the ground results in the northern hemisphere in:
A) veering of the wind and increase of wind speed at the surface.
B) veering of the wind and decrease of wind speed at the surface.
C) backing of the wind and decrease of wind speed at the surface.
D) backing of the wind and increase of wind speed at the surface.
Which of the following best describes the first stage of development of a sea breeze?
A) Pressure initially falls at the surface over the sea.
B) Pressure initially rises at height over the land.
C) Pressure initially falls at height over land.
D) Warm air rises over land so cold air moves in from the sea to replace it.
If the wind at Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia, at midday is 090/15 kt, then by 1600 LMT it could be
expected to have become:
A) 050/20 kt.
B) 140/20 kt.
C) 090/30 kt.
D) 090/10 kt.
Which of the following statements concerning the core of a polar front jet stream is correct?
A) It lies in the warm air; its pressure surfaces are horizontal at the height of the core.
B) It lies in the cold air; the thermal wind reverses direction at the height of the core.
C) It and its surface projection lie in the warm air.
D) It lies at a height where there is no horizontal temperature gradient; the slope
of the pressure surfaces at the height of the core is at its maximum.
On a particular day part of a polar front jet stream runs from north to south in the northern
hemisphere. This means that:
A) the polar air is on the eastern side and above the core of the jet.
B) below the core of the jet the horizontal temperature gradient runs from
north to south.
C) above the core of the jet the horizontal temperature gradient runs from
north to south.
D) the polar air is below and to the east of the core of the jet.
The approximate position of the polar jetstream is:
A) Over the north polar area.
B) approx. 30° N.
C) approx. 60° N.
D) approx. 80° N.
You cross a jet stream in horizontal flight at approximately right angles. While crossing, in spite of a
strong wind of 120 kt, you notice the temperature barely changes.
A) You assume the front associated with the jet stream to be very weak with
practically no temperature difference between the two air masses.
B) This phenomenon is absolutely normal as you are crossing the jet core.
C) This phenomenon does not surprise you at all, since normally no large
temperature differences are possible at these heights.
D) Since the result of such readings seems impossible, you will after landing
have the instruments tested.
Which area of a polar front jet stream in the northern hemisphere has the highest probability of
turbulence?
A) Above the core in the boundary between warm and cold air.
B) In the core of the jet stream.
C) Looking downstream, the area to the left of the core.
D) Looking downstream, the area to the right of the core.
How would you describe a jetstream?
A) A zone of winds in connection with a " squall line" .
B) The outflow airstream from a turbine engine.
C) Any wind force above 64 knots.
D) A zone of wind in the upper troposphere or lower stratosphere with wind
forces at 60 knots minimum.
What is most different about the Equatorial Easterly jet stream?
A) It is height.
B) It is length.
C) It is direction.
D) It is speed.
21. What is the minimum speed for a wind to be classified as a jet stream?
A) 70 kt.
B) 60 kt.
C) 100 kt.
D) 50 kt.
What is the main cause for the formation of a polar front jet stream?
A) Strong winds in the upper atmosphere.
B) The north-south horizontal temperature gradient at the polar front.
C) The varied elevations of the tropopause in the polar front region.
D) The pressure difference, close to the ground, between a high over the
Azores and a low over Iceland.
Which jet stream blows all year round, over the northern hemisphere?
A) The equatorial jet stream.
B) The subtropical jet stream.
C) The arctic jet stream.
D) The polar night jet stream.
While crossing a jet stream at right angles in Western Europe (3000 FT below its core) and OAT is
decreasing, what would be the prevailing wind?
A) A tailwind.
B) Crosswind from the right.
C) A headwind.
D) Crosswind from the left.
A wind speed of 350 kt within a jet stream core should be world-wide regarded as:
A) not unusual in polar regions.
B) not possible.
C) a common occurrence.
D) possible but a very rare phenomenon.
A jet stream with a wind speed of 350kts?
A) Possible in polar areas.
B) Possible but rare.
C) Impossible.
D) Common.
Where is the normal location of the jetstream relative to surface lows and fronts?
A) Over the low and crosses the warm front.
B) Over the low and crosses both the warm front and the cold front.
C) North of the surface systems.
D) South of the low and warm front.
Where, as a general rule, is the core of the polar front jet stream to be found?
A) Just below the cold-air tropopause.
B) Just above the warm-air tropopause.
C) In the warm air mass.
D) In the cold air mass.
The tropical easterly jet is also known as the:
A) easterly sub-tropical jet and found at 17 deg S.
B) easterly sub-tropical jet and found at 5 deg N.
C) equatorial easterly jet and found at 0 deg N.
D) equatorial easterly jet and found at 17 deg N.
The strongest upper winds will be found:
A) where the surface pressure gradient is high, below the tropopause.
B) where the air mass temperature gradient is high, near the tropopause.
C) where the air mass temperature gradient is high, in the stratosphere.
D) where the surface temperature gradient is high, at medium height.
What can be said about a wind speed of 350 KT in a jetstream?
A) It is possible, but rare.
B) A wind speed of 350 KT is common.
C) It is impossible.
D) It is only possible in a subtropical jetstream.
Which jetstream is more or less found continuously around the Earth?
A) The subtropical jetstream.
B) The artic front jetstream.
C) The polar front jetstream.
D) The equatorial jetstream.
Where do the maximum winds associated with the jetstream usually occur?
A) In the vicinity of breaks in the tropopause on the polar side of the jet core.
B) On the equatorial side of the jetstream where moisture has formed cirriform
clouds.
C) In the vicinity of breaks in the tropopause on the equatorial side of the jet core.
D) Below the jet core where a long straight stretch of the jetstream is located.
With a polar front jetstream (PFJ), the area with the highest probability of turbulence in the Southern
Hemisphere is:
A) looking downstream, on your left hand side.
B) looking downstream, on your right hand side.
C) in the jet core.
D) above the jet core in the boundary of the warm and cold air.
What is the approximate ratio between height and width for a jet stream cross section?
A) 1/1000
B) 1/1
C) 1/10
D) 1/100
During the winter months in mid-latitudes in the northern hemisphere, the polar front jetstream
moves toward the:
A) north and speed increases.
B) south and speed increases.
C) south and speed decreases.
D) north and speed decreases.
Under which of the following conditions is the most severe CAT likely to be experienced?
A) A curved jet stream near a deep trough.
B) A westerly jet stream at low latitudes in the summer.
C) A jet stream, with great spacing between the isotherms.
D) A straight jet stream near a low pressure area.
An aircraft over Western Europe is crossing a jet stream 2500 FT below its core at right angles. While
crossing, the outside temperature is increasing. The prevailing wind is:
A) headwind.
B) from the left.
C) tailwind.
D) from the right.
In the month of August you prepare a flight (cruising level FL 370) from Bombay (19° N - 73° E) to
Bangkok (13° N - 100° E). What wind conditions can you expect?
A) Headwinds.
B) Tailwinds.
C) Light winds diagonal to the route.
D) Strong northerly winds.
Most strong air currents at higher levels (jet streams) have a westerly direction. There is, however, an
important easterly jet stream. When and where is it likely to be encountered?
A) In winter along the Russian coast facing the Arctic ocean.
B) Throughout the year to the south of the Azorian high.
C) In summer from the Middle East extending over the southern part of the
Mediterranean to southern Spain.
D) In summer from south-east Asia extending over southern India to central
Africa.
A wind sounding in the region of a polar front jet stream gives the following wind profile (Northern
hemisphere).
900hPa 220/20kt 800hPa 220/25kt 700hPa 230/35kt 500hPa 260/60kt 400hPa 280/85kt 300hPa
300/100kt
250hPa 310/120kt 200hPa 310/80kt Which system is the jet stream associated with:
A) With a ITCZ.
B) With a warm front.
C) With a cold front.
D) With an easterly wave.
The normal maximum speeds of the Polar Front Jet are in the region of:
A) 150 kt in July / 135 kt in January
B) 150 kt in July / 50 kt in January
C) 135 kt in July / 135 kt in January
D) 150 kt in January / 135 kt in July
A mountain range is aligned in an East West direction. Select the conditions from the table below that
could give rise to standing waves. 2.000 ft 5.000 ft 10.000 ft
A) 110/40kt 110/20kt 110/60kt.
B) 280/20kt 290/40kt 300/60kt.
C) 010/15kt 010/10kt 000/40kt.
D) 180/20kt 180/40kt 180/60kt.
A mountain range is aligned in a North/South direction. Select the conditions from the table below that
could give rise to standing waves. 2.000 ft 5.000 ft 10.000 ft
A) 280/20kt 290/40kt 300/60kt
B) 180/20kt 180/40kt 180/60kt
C) 110/40kt 110/60kt 110/60kt
D) 010/15kt 010/20kt 000/40kt
Thermodynamics:
Humidity:
1.Water vapour is almost transparent to ... radiation but absorbs and re-radiates...
A) cosmic-ray X-ray.
B) long-wave short-wave.
C) ultra-violet infra-red.
D) short-wave long-wave.
Wind shear is experienced when:
A) gusts have been forecasted or reported.
B) neither wind direction nor force changes at altitude
C) there is a ground inversion and strong winds above the inversion layer.
D) the wind has been forecasted to be light and variable.
Which of the following statements is true?
A) The atmosphere is heated by short-wave radiation from the sun.
B) Ozone allows short-wave radiation to pass through to the earth's surface.
C) Water vapor and carbon dioxide gas both absorb long-wave radiation.
D) Water vapor absorbs short-wave radiation.
Unsaturated air moving downwards is heated at a certain rate of temperature change, called:
A) Chinook wind.
B) Dry adiabatic.
C) Saturated adiabatic.
D) Ambient lapse rate.
When air reaches its saturation vapour pressure it immediately becomes:
A) slightly colder.
B) remains at the same temperature.
C) it depends on the altitude and outside air temperature.
D) slightly warmer.
A parcel of fair is forced to rise and becomes saturated at 3.000 ft when it is at the same temperature
as the surrounding dry air. The parcel of fair will subsequently.
A) Continue to rise.
B) Fall.
C) Remain at the same level.
D) It is impossible to say.
The relative humidity of a sample air mass is 50%. How is the relative humidity of this air mass
influenced by changes of the amount of water vapour in it?
A) It is not influenced by changing water vapour.
B) It increases with increasing water vapour.
C) It is only influenced by temperature.
D) It decreases with increasing water vapour.
Hazardous wind shear is encountered near the ground:
A) near mountain valleys and on the windward side of hills or mountains.
B) during periods when the wind velocity is stronger than 35 knots.
C) during periods when the wind velocity is stronger than 35 knots and near
mountain valleys.
D) during periods of strong temperature inversion and near thunderstorms.
Which of the following is the definition of relative humidity?
A) Ratio between air temperature and dewpoint temperature X 100.
B) Ratio between the actual mixing ratio and the saturation mixing ratio X
100.
C) Ratio between water vapour pressure and atmospheric pressure X 100.
D) Ratio between water vapour (g) and air (kg) X 100.
Relative humidity:
A) is not affected when air is ascending or descending.
B) does not change when water vapour is added provided the temperature
of the air remains constant.
C) changes when water vapour is added, even though the temperature
remains constant.
D) is not affected by temperature changes of the air.
Which of the following statements is true of the dew point of an air mass?
A) It can only be equal to, or lower, than the temperature of the air mass.
B) It can be used to estimate the air mass's relative humidity even if the air
temperature is unknown.
C) It can be higher than the temperature of the air mass.
D) It can be used together with the air pressure to estimate the air mass's
relative humidity.
The dewpoint temperature:
A) is always higher than the air temperature.
B) is always lower than the air temperature.
C) can not be equal to the air temperature.
D) can be equal to the air temperature.
If air is cooled to its dew point condensation occurs. If the temperature is further reduced:
A) the relative humidity increases.
B) the dew point temperature reduces.
C) condensation is replaced by osmosis.
D) the wet bulb temperature remains fixed.
When a given volume of air contains the maximum quantity of water vapour it is:
A) unsaturated.
B) saturated.
C) super-saturated.
D) vaporised.
The difference between temperature and dewpoint is greater in:
A) air with low temperature.
B) air with high temperature.
C) moist air.
D) dry air.
From which of the following can the stability of the atmosphere be determined?
A) Surface temperature.
B) ELR.
C) DALR.
D) Surface pressure.
Relative humidity increases in:
A) cold air at a constant vapour pressure.
B) warmer air compared to colder air.
C) colder air compared to warmer air.
D) warm air at a constant vapour pressure.
The inland climate is characterized by:
A) a warm winter and a cold summer.
B) a wet winter and a dry summer.
C) a cold winter and a warm summer.
D) a dry winter and a wet summer.
When a given mass of air descends, what effect will it have on relative humidity?
A) It increases up to 100%, then remains stable.
B) It decreases.
C) It increases.
D) It remains constant.
How does relative humidity and the dewpoint in an unsaturated airmass change with varying
temperature?
A) When temperature increases, the relative humidity decreases, and the
dewpoint remains constant.
B) When temperature decreases, the relative humidity decreases, and the
dewpoint increases.
C) When temperature decreases, the relative humidity and the dewpoint
remain constant.
D) When temperature increases, the relative humidity increases, and the
dewpoint decreases.
If Relative Humidity is low, you would expect a... cloud base. The cloud top would be when the...
meets the...
A) high, ELR, DALR
B) low, SALR, ELR
C) high, SALR, ELR
D) low, SALR, DALR
An air parcel on the ground is not saturated. As it rises, the temperature reduces at the..., the wet
bulb temperature reduces at the... and the dew point temperature...
A) DALR; SALR; rises
B) DALR; SALR; falls
C) SALR; DALR; falls
D) SALR; DALR; rises
If the relative humidity of a sample of air is 100%, then the actual amount of water vapour present
would be:
A) greater at 10000ft than at mean sea level.
B) greater at the poles than at the Equator.
C) the same at the Equator as at the poles.
D) greater at the Equator than at the poles.
Describe how a cold high pressure changes at altitude:
A) impossible to predict.
B) weakens and may transfer into a low pressure.
C) strengthens.
D) no change.
Humidity is measured by means of a psychrometer. This compares dry bulb temperature with:
A) the latent heat of evaporation.
B) the Dew Point temperature.
C) the temperature of water in a container beside the dry bulb.
D) the lowest temperature to which air is cooled by the evaporation of
water.
Relative humidity:
A) decreases if the air is cooled whilst maintaining the vapour pressure
constant.
B) is higher in warm air than in cool air.
C) increases if the air is cooled whilst maintaining the vapour pressure
constant.
D) is higher in cool air than in warm air.
The maximum amount of water vapour that the air can contain depends on the:
A) air temperature.
B) dewpoint.
C) relative humidity.
D) stability of the air.
In an air mass, if the ... is higher than the ... and lower than the ... the air mass is conditionally
unstable.
A) ELR, SALR, DALR
B) SALR, DALR, ELR
C) ELR, DALR, SALR
D) DALR; SALR; ELR
40.
47.
During the late afternoon an air temperature of +12° C and a dew point of +5° C were measured.
What temperature change must occur during the night in order to induce saturation?
A) It must decrease to +7° C.
B) It must decrease to +6° C.
C) It must decrease to +5° C.
D) It must decrease by 5° C.
54.
How, if at all, is the relative humidity of an unsaturated airmass influenced by temperature changes?
A) It is only influenced by the amount of water vapour.
B) It is not influenced by temperature changes.
C) It increases with increasing temperature.
D) It decreases with increasing temperature.
Change of State of aggregation:
1/56.
21. The process by which water vapour is transformed directly into ice is known as
A) sublimation.
B) super saturation.
C) supercooling.
D) radiation cooling.
A VOLMET broadcast is:
A) a recorded broadcast of METARs for about 10 airports.
B) a recorded broadcast of the METAR for a specific airfield.
C) a recorded broadcast of weather forecast (TAF) for a specific airfield.
D) a special ATC broadcast, to all aircraft on frequency, of a significant change in weather
conditions.
You are at 12,000 ft (FL120) with an outside air temperature is -2 deg C. Where would you find the freezing level?
A) FL090.
B) FL140.
C) FL100.
D) FL110.
In the atmospheric water/water vapour system an increase in temperature leads to ... evaporation
and an increase in pressure to ... evaporation:
A) more, more
B) more, less
C) less, less
D) less, more
The heat energy used to change liquid water into water vapour:
A) is passed to the surface from which the water is evaporating.
B) is then stored in the water vapour as latent heat.
C) modifies the DALR to the SALR.
D) is released to the atmosphere as latent heat.
How are high level condensation trails formed that are to be found occasionally behind jet aircraft?
A) Through a decrease in pressure, and the associated adiabatic drop in
temperature at the wing tips while flying through relatively warm but
humid air.
B) In conditions of low humidity, through the particles of soot contained in
the exhaust gases.
C) Through water vapour released during fuel combustion.
D) Only through un-burnt fuel in the exhaust gases.
Adiabatic process:
A sample of moist but unsaturated air may become saturated by:
A) raising the temperature.
B) lowering the pressure, keeping temperature constant.
C) compressing it adiabatically.
D) expanding it adiabatically.
If a saturated air mass descends down a slope its temperature increases at:
A) the same rate as if the air mass were dry.
B) a lower rate than in dry air, as condensation gives out heat.
C) a higher rate than in dry air, as it gives up latent evaporation heat.
D) a lower rate than in dry air, as evaporation absorbs heat.
Which term applies when the temperature of the air changes by compression or expansion with no
heat added or removed?
A) Adiabatic.
B) Advection.
C) Katabatic.
D) Atmospheric.
What weather condition occurs at the altitude where the dewpoint lapse rate and the dry adiabatic
lapse rate converge?
A) Unstable air changes into stable air.
B) Stable air changes to unstable air.
C) Cloud bases form.
D) Precipitation starts.
A saturated atmosphere has a surface temperature of +12C and a temperature of +5C at 4000ft. This
atmosphere is:
A) conditionally stable.
B) conditionally neutral.
C) stable.
D) unstable.
The decrease in temperature, per 100 metres, in an unsaturated rising parcel of air is:
A) 0.5° C.
B) 0.65° C.
C) 1° C.
D) 2° C.
The decrease in temperature, per 100 metres, in a saturated rising parcel of air at lower level of the
atmosphere is approximately:
A) 1° C.
B) 0.6° C.
C) 1.5° C.
D) 0.35° C.
Dry stable air is blowing over a range of hills and producing a layer of turbulence 3000ft thick. Before
the onset of the turbulence the surface temperature was 15º C, and the temperature at 3000ft was
10.5º C. The new surface temperature in the turbulence will be... and the new temperature just inside
the top of the turbulence layer will be...
A) 19.25º C; 8.25º C
B) 17.25º C; 6.25º C
C) 17.25º C; 8.25º C
D) 19º C; 6.5º C
The temperature lapse rate of rising saturated air in the lower troposphere is:
A) 5,4 degrees C per 1.000 feet.
B) 1,98 degrees C per 1.000 feet.
C) 3 degrees C per 1.000 feet.
D) 1,5 degrees C per 1.000 feet.
17/103
In a layer of air the decrease in temperature per 100 metres increase in height is more than
1° C. This layer can be described as being:
A) conditionally unstable.
B) absolutely unstable.
C) absolutely stable.
D) conditionally stable.
A parcel of moist but not saturated air rises due to adiabatic effects. Which of the following
changes?
A) Specific humidity.
B) Absolute humidity.
C) Relative humidity.
D) Mixing ratio.
A parcel of unsaturated air is lifted to just below the condensation level and then returned
to its original level.
What is the final temperature of the parcel of air?
A) Lower than the starting temperature.
B) The same as the starting temperature.
C) Higher than the starting temperature.
D) It depends upon the QFE.
20/106
At lower altitudes, the SALR differs from the DALR. The reason is due to:
A) none of the above.
B) the release of latent heat.
C) the lowering of the saturation vapour pressure of water with altitude.
D) the absorption of latent heat.
If in a 100 m thick layer the temperature at the bottom of the layer is 10° C and at the top of the
layer is 8° C then this layer is:
A) neutral.
B) absolutely stable.
C) absolutely unstable.
D) conditionally unstable.
The rate of cooling of ascending saturated air is less than the rate of cooling of ascending unsaturated
air because:
A) water vapour doesn't cool as rapidly as dry air.
B) water vapour absorbs the incoming heat from the sun.
C) moist air is heavier than dry air.
D) heat is released during the condensation process.
An inversion is:
A) an unstable layer.
B) a layer that can be either stable or unstable.
C) a conditionally unstable layer.
D) an absolutely stable layer.
During an adiabatic process heat is:
A) neither added nor lost.
B) added.
C) lost.
D) added but the result is an overall loss.
A mass of unsaturated air is forced to rise till just under the condensation level. It then settles back to
its original position...
A) it depends on QFE.
B) the temperature will be the same at the end of its journey.
C) the temperature will be less than before it started on its journey.
D) the temperature of the parcel of air is greater than before at the end of
its journey.
A moist stable airstream is blowing slowly over a range of hills 5000ft high. On the windward side of
the hills the surface temperature is 10º C and the cloud base 1000ft. On the lee side the cloud base is
3000ft. The surface temperature on the lee side is:
A) 13.6º C.
B) 13.4º C.
C) 15.4º C.
D) 12.4º C.
What is the final temperature of saturated surface air under the same conditions?
A) -03° C
B) 0° C
C) +03° C
D) -19° C
41. A layer of air cooling at the SALR compared to the DALR would give what kind of cloud?
A) No cloud if saturated.
B) Stratus if saturated.
C) Convective cloud.
D) Cumulus if saturated.
Which of the following statements concerning the lifting of a parcel of air is correct?
A) Unsaturated parcels cool at a rate of 0.65° C per 100m.
B) Saturated parcels always cool at a rate of 0.65° C per 100m.
C) Unsaturated parcels cool more rapidly than saturated parcels.
D) Unsaturated parcels cool less rapidly than saturated parcels.
What can be said about the altimeter indication during a period of 10 minutes, when a uniform
pressure pattern prevails?
A) The indication increases.
B) There will be no visible change in the indication.
C) The indication decreases.
D) The altimeter indicates lower when set to 1013,2 hPa.
Clouds and fog:
Cloud formation and description:
In an unstable layer there are cumuliform clouds. The vertical extent of these clouds depends on the:
A) wind direction.
B) pressure at different levels.
C) air pressure at the surface.
D) thickness of the unstable layer.
Which of the following cloud types is a medium level cloud?
A) AS
B) ST
C) CS
D) SC
What process in an air mass leads to the creation of wide spread NS, AS and ST cloud coverage?
A) Lifting.
B) Radiation.
C) Sinking.
D) Convection process.
Stratus cloud of limited depth at a temperature of -5C will most likely give
A) moderate to heavy glaze ice.
B) moderate to heavy rime ice.
C) light to moderate rime ice.
D) light to moderate glaze ice.
Convective clouds are formed:
A) in unstable atmosphere.
B) in mid-latitudes only.
C) in stable atmosphere.
D) in summer during the day only.
Which of these clouds is most likely to be associated with thunderstorms?
A) Alto Cumulus Castellanus.
B) Stratus.
C) Nimbo Stratus.
D) Alto Stratus.
Low cloud in temperature climates, excluding heap, are those existing from:
A) The surface to 7500 metres.
B) The surface to 6500ft.
C) The surface to 7500ft.
D) 1000ft to 6500ft.
A cumulus cloud, base 3,000 ft has a base temperature of +16 deg C. The dewpoint temperature and
the dry bulb temperature at the surface are probably:
A) +25 deg C & +20 deg C.
B) +25 deg C & +17.5 deg C.
C) +17.5 deg C & +25 deg C.
D) +16 deg C & +16 deg C.
What are the typical bases of alto type cloud?
A) surface.
B) 6,500ft.
C) 1,000ft.
D) 16,500ft.
Which of the following are medium level clouds?
A) All convective clouds.
B) Altostratus and altocumulus.
C) Cumulonimbus.
D) Cirrocumulus and cirrostratus.
Fallstreaks or virga are:
A) gusts associated with a well developed Bora.
B) water or ice particles falling out of a cloud that evaporate before reaching the
ground.
C) strong downdraughts in the polar jet stream, associated with jet streaks.
D) strong katabatic winds in mountainous areas and accompanied by heavy
precipitation.
Which one of the displayed cloud forms is
representative of a cumulonimbus
capillatus?
A) A
B) C
C) B
D) D
Which of the following is a cause of stratus forming over flat land?
A) Convection during the day.
B) The release of latent heat.
C) Radiation during the night from the earth surface in moderate wind.
D) Unstable air.
A layer of air can be:
A) Conditional; unstable when unsaturated and stable when saturated.
B) all of the above.
C) Neutrally stable when saturated and unstable when unsaturated.
D) Conditional; unstable when saturated and stable when unsaturated.
21. Which of the following clouds may extend into more than one layer?
A) Stratus.
B) Cirrus.
C) Nimbostratus.
D) Altocumulus.
Dissipation of clouds is related to:
A) convection.
B) decrease in temperature.
C) subsidence.
D) increase pressure.
A plain in Western Europe with an average height of 500 m (1600 FT) above sea level is
covered with a uniform SC layer of cloud during the summer months. At what height above
the ground is the base of this cloud to be expected?
A) 1500 - 7000 FT above ground.
B) 100 - 1500 FT above ground.
C) 15000 - 25000 FT above ground.
D) 7000 - 15000 FT above ground.
Which of the following is most correct regarding the cloud types Stratus and Nimbostratus?
A) Stratus may give rain showers and Nimbostratus may give drizzle, ice
prisms or snow grains.
B) Stratus may give drizzle, ice prisms or snow grains and Nimbostratus
may give rain showers.
C) Stratus may give drizzle, ice prisms or snow grains and Nimbostratus
may give continuously falling rain or snow.
D) Neither cloud type may give precipitation.
Altostratus clouds are classified as:
A) convective clouds.
B) low level clouds.
C) medium level clouds.
D) high level clouds.
What flying conditions may be encountered when flying in cirrus clouds?
A) Average horizontal visibility more than 1000 m; nil icing.
B) Average horizontal visibility more than 1000 m; light to moderate rime
ice.
C) Average horizontal visibility less than 500 m; nil icing.
D) Average horizontal visibility less than 500 m; light to moderate icing.
What will snow most likely fall from?
A) Cs
B) Ns
C) Ac
D) Ci
Turbulence cloud is:
A) warm air being forced to rise ahead of cold air at the surface.
B) usually alto - stratus type cloud.
C) cloud with significant turbulence within it.
D) created as a result of mixing from turbulence.
Clouds classified as low level are considered to have a base height of:
A) 1000 - 2000ft.
B) the surface - 6500ft.
C) 100 - 200ft.
D) 500 - 1000ft.
What type of cloud is usually found at high level?
A) Cc
B) Ns
C) St
D) Ac
In which of the following conditions is moderate to severe airframe icing most likely to be
encountered?
A) In Nimbostratus cloud.
B) Below the freezing level in clear air.
C) In clear air above the freezing level.
D) Within cloud of any type.
From which cloud do you get hail?
A) Cb
B) Ns
C) Ts
D) Sc
Which types of clouds are typical evidence of stable air conditions?
A) NS, CU
B) CB, CC
C) ST, AS
D) CU, CB
The presence of altocumulus castellanus indicates:
A) subsidence in a large part of the troposphere.
B) strong convection at low height.
C) instability in the middle troposphere.
D) stability in the higher troposphere.
Which of the following clouds are classified as medium level clouds in temperate regions?
A) AS, AC.
B) CS, ST.
C) CI, CC.
D) SC, NS
Which of the four radio soundings corresponds with a low stratus layer?
A) C
B) B
C) A
D) D
Which of the following cloud types can stretch across at least two cloud levels?
A) SC
B) ST
C) CI
D) NS
What are the characteristics of cumuliform clouds?
A) Small water droplets, instability, turbulence, extensive areas of rain and rime ice.
B) Large water droplets, stability, no turbulence, showers and mainly rime ice.
C) Large water droplets, instability, turbulence, showers and mainly clear ice.
D) Small water droplets, stability, no turbulence and extensive areas of rain.
A plain in Western Europe with an average height of 500 m (1600 FT) above sea level is covered with
a uniform CC layer of cloud during the summer months. At what height above the ground is the base
of this cloud to be expected?
A) 1500 - 7000 FT above the terrain.
B) 7000 - 15000 FT above the terrain.
C) 15000 - 35000 FT above the terrain.
D) 100 - 1500 FT above the terrain.
What cloud is between a warm and cold front?
A) Ns.
B) St with showers.
C) St with drizzle.
D) Cs.
41. Uneven heating of a land surface by day in a stable atmosphere is most likely to form:
A) Fair weather cumulus cloud.
B) Fracto stratus cloud.
C) Alto cumulus castellanus.
D) Stratocumulus cloud.
Which of the following cloud types is found at high levels?
A) CI
B) CU
C) SC
D) AS
Turbulence cloud is:
A) cloud with significant turbulence in it.
B) usually alto - stratus type cloud.
C) cloud formed by turbulent mixing.
D) warm air being forced to rise ahead of cold air at the surface.
What cloud types are classified as medium cloud?
A) Cb + St.
B) Ns + Sc.
C) Ac + As.
D) Ci + Cs.
What type of cloud is being described? A generally grey cloud layer with fairly uniform base and
uniform appearance, which may give drizzle or snow grains. When the sun is visible through the cloud,
the outline is clearly discernible. Sometimes it appears in the form of ragged patches.
A) Nimbostratus.
B) Stratus.
C) Altostratus.
D) Cirrostratus.
Which of the following types of clouds are evidence of unstable air conditions?
A) CI, SC.
B) SC, NS.
C) ST, CS.
D) CU, CB.
A cumulonimbus cloud at moderate latitudes in summer contains:
A) only ice crystals.
B) a combination of ice crystals, water droplets and supercooled water
droplets.
C) only water droplets.
D) a combination of ice crystals and water droplets.
Which of the following processes within a layer of air may lead to the building of CU and CB clouds?
A) Subsidence.
B) Frontal lifting within stable layers.
C) Convection.
D) Radiation.
Cloud cover at night will reduce the amount of surface cooling because:
A) clouds absorb the incoming radiation.
B) clouds re-radiate the earths radiation.
C) clouds reflect the earths radiation.
D) clouds reflect the incoming radiation.
From which of the following clouds are you least likely to get precipitation in summer?
A) CB/CU
B) CS/NS
C) CU/ST
D) CS/AS
Which of the following cloud types can project up into the stratosphere?
A) Altocumulus.
B) Cirrostratus.
C) Cumulonimbus.
D) Altostratus
Clouds, classified as being low level are considered to have bases from:
A) 500 to 1000 FT.
B) the surface to 6500 FT.
C) 100 to 200 FT.
D) 1000 to 2000 FT.
Altostratus (AS) and Nimbostratus (NS) are easily confused. How do you distinguish between them?
A) The cloud base is higher in AS and precipitation, if any, is light.
B) Steady precipitation from AS.
C) The sun can be seen through NS.
D) Precipitation falls from AS but not from NS.
What cloud does hail fall from?
A) Ci
B) Cu
C) Cb
D) Ns
Orographic lifting associated with stable conditions might produce:
A) NS/AS, thunderstorms and hail.
B) CU/CB, showers.
C) ST/SC, showers of heavy rain.
D) Cap clouds, AC lenticularis, standing waves.
Which of the following types of cloud can extend over the low, medium and high cloud levels?
A) CB
B) ST
C) AC
D) CI
Which one of the displayed cloud forms is representative of altocumulus lenticularis?
A) c
B) b
C) a
D) d
Which one of the following cloud types gives steady rain or snowfall?
A) Nimbostratus.
B) Cumulonimbus.
C) Cirrostratus.
D) Altostratus.
Cumulus clouds are an indication for:
A) stability.
B) the approach of a cold front.
C) up and downdrafts.
D) the approach of a warm front.
What causes low level cloud in front of the warm front?
A) Cold air passing over warm surface.
B) Rain falling into warm air and condensing.
C) Warm air passing over cold surface.
D) Rain dragging warm air into the cold air and condensing it.
61. If Relative Humidity is high, you would expect a ... cloud base. The cloud top would be when the
... meets the...
A) high, SALR, ELR.
B) high, ELR, DALR.
C) low, SALR, ELR.
D) low, SALR, DALR.
Orographic lifting associated with unstable conditions will produce:
A) CU/CB, showers.
B) AC lenticularis, standing waves, light precipitation.
C) ST/SC, continuous light/moderate rain.
D) NS/AS, thunderstorms and hail.
What is the composition of Ci cloud?
A) Water droplets.
B) Ice crystals.
C) Supercooled water droplets.
D) Smoke particles.
What is the main composition of clouds classified as high level clouds?
A) Ice crystals.
B) Water droplets.
C) Water vapour.
D) Supercooled water droplets.
What type of cloud is associated with drizzle?
A) Ac
B) Ci
C) Cb
D) St
What clouds do you expect approximately 800 km ahead of a warm front?
A) AC
B) NS
C) CS
D) CU
Isolated TS in summer are because of:
A) cold front occlusions.
B) cold fronts.
C) warm front occlusions.
D) convection.
Which of the following radiosonde diagrams could indicate that low stratus is present?
A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 4
Which of the following indicates medium to upper level instability and possible the formation of TS?
A) Altocumulus Lenticularis.
B) Altocumulus castellanus.
C) Red cirrus.
D) Halo.
Cu is an indication of:
A) the approach of a cold front.
B) vertical movement of air.
C) stability.
D) the approach of a warm front.
If you see Alto Castellanus what does it indicate?
A) Subsidence..
B) Instability in the lower atmosphere.
C) The upper atmosphere is stable.
D) Middle level instability.
81. A plain in Western Europe at 500m (1600ft) AMSL is covered with a uniform alto - cumulus cloud
during summer months. At what height AGL is the base of the cloud expected?
A) 1500 - 7000ft.
B) 100 - 1500ft.
C) 7000 - 15000ft.
D) 15000 - 25000ft.
Formation of an orographic cloud takes place when sufficient wind forces the air over obstacles like a
mountain, and further:
A) a) and b) are correct.
B) it is true that the necessary amount of lifting of the air depends on the air
humidity.
C) with sufficient height of the mountain the air temperature reaches the
dew point thus creating a cloud.
D) the air is supercooled and unstable.
Fog, Mist, Haze:
Advection fog is caused by:
A) none of the above.
B) air, cooler by at least 10° C, moving over a moist surface.
C) dry air over a cold surface.
D) cold air over a warm moist surface.
Two factors which contribute to the formation of radiation fog are:
A) a light wind (2 to 8 kts) and good cloud cover.
B) a high relative humidity and clear night skies.
C) clear night skies and a low relative humidity.
D) a high relative humidity and no wind.
Sea fog:
A) forms when air becomes saturated
B) all of the above.
C) can form or persist with moderate or even strong wind.
D) is cleared by change of air mass or less commonly by an increase in wind
strength.
Which two factors contribute to the formation of radiation fog?
A) Clear night skies and a low relative humidity.
B) A high relative humidity and no wind.
C) A high relative humidity and clear night skies.
D) A light wind (5 to 8 knots) and good cloud cover.
Fog formation by warm and humid air flowing over cold areas is often extensive and of long duration.
Such fog is called:
A) Frontal fog.
B) Advection fog.
C) Radiation fog.
D) Orographic fog.
How come warm air moving over col areas???called advection fog
The most likely reason for radiation fog to dissipate or become low stratus is:
A) a low level temperature inversion.
B) an increasingly stable atmosphere.
C) increasing surface wind speed.
D) surface cooling.
According to ICAO, haze (HZ) or smoke (FU), is reduced visibility due to the presence of solid particles
(lithometeors) in the atmosphere to a value of:
A) < 5.000 m
B) = 5.000 m
C) 5.000 m
D) < = 5.000 m
Of the four radio soundings, select the one that indicates ground fog:
A) C
B) B
C) A
D) D
Which type of fog do you expect over flat landscape on a clear night, under no wind conditions?
A) Steam fog.
B) Radiation fog.
C) Advection fog.
D) Orographic fog.
Which of the following weather conditions favour the formation of radiation fog?
A) Strong wind, little or no cloud, moist air.
B) Light wind, extensive cloud, dry air.
C) Light wind, little or no cloud, moist air.
D) Light wind, extensive cloud, moist air.
Steaming fog (arctic sea smoke) occurs in air:
A) with cold mass properties.
B) that is absolutely stable.
C) with warm mass properties.
D) that is stable.
What are the differences between radiation fog and advection fog?
A) Radiation fog is formed by surface cooling in a calm wind. Advection fog
is formed by evaporation over the sea.
B) Radiation fog forms due to night cooling and advection fog due to
daytime cooling.
C) Radiation fog forms only on the ground, advection fog only on the sea.
D) Radiation fog forms due to surface cooling at night in a light wind.
Advection fog forms when warm humid air flows over a cold surface.
What is the general height of radiation fog?
A) 2000 ft
B) 1500 ft
C) 500 ft
D) 3000 ft
What conditions are most likely to lead to the formation of hill fog?
A) High relative humidity and an unstable air mass.
B) Clear skies, calm or light winds, with relatively low humidity.
C) Precipitation which is lifted by the action of moderate winds striking the range.
D) Humid stable air mass, wind blowing towards the hills.
Fog forming over the sea in a 20KT wind is most likely to be:
A) Radiation fog.
B) Advection fog.
C) Neither, fog cannot form above 12KT wind speed.
D) Steam fog.
When the temperature and dew point are less than one degree apart the weather conditions are most
likely to be:
A) unlimited visibility.
B) fog or low cloud.
C) clear and cool.
D) high scattered clouds.
Which one of the following statements regarding the meteorological horizontal visibility is the correct
one?
A) If the visibility varies in different directions, an average value of around the horizon is
reported.
B) If the visibility varies in different directions, the visibility in the worst direction is
reported.
C) The visibility is improved when darkness falls, because you distinguish a point of light
more easily than an unlighted mark.
D) Fog (FG) is used to describe visibility less than 1000 m except when qualified by MI, BC,
PR, or VC.
Which of the following conditions is most likely to lead to the formation of steam fog (arctic smoke)?
A) Warm air moving over cold water.
B) The sea is warmed by strong radiation from the sun.
C) Cold air moving over warm water.
D) The coastal region of the sea cools at night.
21. Frontal fog is most likely to:
A) Form ahead of a vigorous fast moving cold front.
B) Form on a vigorous cold front and last for many hours.
C) Form to the rear of a warm front but only last for 1 to 2 hours.
D) Form ahead of a warm front.
Radiation fog is most likely to form in the UK at an inland airfield with a relative humidity of 80%:
A) in autumn with clear skies and surface wind 2-6 kt.
B) in winter with clear skies and surface wind 10-15 kt.
C) in spring with 6/8 ST, SC cloud and surface wind 2-10 kt.
D) in summer with clear skies and nil wind.
Frontal fog:
A) is due to rain saturating the warm sector air.
B) occurs in precipitation at a cold front.
C) occurs in a narrow band where the frontal surface meets the ground.
D) is due to evaporation of rain drops in the cold sector.
Steaming fog, otherwise known as ... It occurs when ... air moves over a...
A) ice fog, cold & stable, warmer moist land
B) arctic smoke, cold & stable, warmer moist surface
C) polar smoke, cold, warmer land
D) smoke fog, warm, cold coastal area
Radiation fog requires ... and ..., which usually occur in ... pressure systems.
A) light winds; overcast skies; low
B) strong winds; overcast skies; low
C) strong winds; clear skies; high
D) light winds; clear skies; high
The range of wind speed in which radiation fog is most likely to form is:
A) between 10 and 15 kt.
B) below 5 kt.
C) above 15 kt.
D) between 5 and 10 kt.
What wind conditions, occurring just before dawn, favour the formation of fog at an airport where the
temperature is 15° C and the dew point is 14° C?
A) Easterly, 10 kt.
B) Calm.
C) Northerly, 10 kt.
D) Westerly, 10 kt variable.
Which of the following is most likely to lead to the dissipation of radiation fog?
A) A marked increase in wind velocity near the ground.
B) Ground cooling caused by radiation during the night.
C) A build up of a high pressure area resulting in adiabatic warming
associated with a sinking air mass.
D) A marked decrease in wind velocity close to the ground.
The morning following a clear, calm night when the temperature has dropped to the dewpoint, is likely
to produce:
A) advection fog.
B) a cold front.
C) radiation fog.
D) good clear weather.
Which of the following conditions is most likely to lead to the formation of advection fog?
A) Moist warm air moving over a cold surface.
B) Moist cold air moving over a warm surface.
C) Dry warm air moving over a cold surface.
D) Dry cold air moving over a warm surface.
Which of the following circumstances most favour the development of radiation fog?
A) Warm moist air at the windward side of a mountain.
B) Maritime tropical air flowing over cold sea.
C) Moist air over land during clear night with little wind.
D) Advection of very cold air over much warmer sea.
Conditions favourable for the development of radiation fog (FG) are:
A) high relative humidity, little or no cloud.
B) high relative humidity, little or no cloud, little wind (2-8 kts or calm).
C) high relative humidity, little or no cloud, a strong sea breeze.
D) high relative humidity, no cloud.
Advection fog will form when warm, moist air moves at ... over a cold sea current like the ... current.
A) 25kt; Brazil
B) 15kt; Labrador
C) 25kt; Gulf Stream
D) 15kt; Harmattan
Which of the following is most likely to lead to the formation of radiation fog?
A) Dry, warm air passing over warm ground.
B) The passage of fronts.
C) Cold air passing over warm ground.
D) Heat loss from the ground on clear nights.
Which type of fog is likely to form when air having temperature of 15° C and dew point of 12° C blows
at 10 knots over a sea surface having temperatures of 5° C?
A) Radiation fog.
B) Advection fog.
C) Frontal fog.
D) Steam fog.
When does frontal fog, also known as mixing fog, occur?
A) When very humid warm air meets with dry cold air.
B) When very humid cold air meets with dry warm air.
C) When very dry cold air meets with very dry warm air.
D) When very humid warm air meets with very humid cold air.
What type of fog is most likely to form over flat land during a clear night, with calm or light wind
conditions?
A) Orographic.
B) Radiation.
C) Steam.
D) Advection.
In temperate latitudes in summer what conditions would you expect in the centre of a high pressure
system?
A) TS, CB.
B) NS.
C) calm winds, haze.
D) TS, SH.
Precipitation
Development of precipitation:
Rain ice may be found:
A) in the cold air, below the warm front and below the cold air 0º C level.
B) in the warm air, above the warm front and below the 0º C level.
C) above the cold air 0º C level and below the warm air 0º C level.
D) in the warm air but above the 0º C level.
Where do you get freezing rain?
A) Rain falling into warmer air.
B) Rain falling into colder air and freezing into pellets.
C) Rain falling from an inversion into an area below 0 C.
D) Rain hitting the ground and freezing on impact.
How does freezing rain develop?
A) Rain falls on cold ground and then freezes.
B) Rain falls through a layer where temperatures are below 0° C.
C) Through melting of sleet grains.
D) Through melting of ice crystals.
A cumulus cloud, base 2,000 ft has a base temperature of +14 deg C. The dewpoint temperature and
the dry bulb temperature at the surface are probably:
A) +14 deg C & +18 deg C.
B) +20 deg C & +20 deg C.
C) +15 deg C & +20 deg C.
D) +18 deg C & +22 deg C.
Intensity of precipitation is described as:
A) Drizzle, rain or snow.
B) Slight, moderate or heavy.
C) Intermittent, continuous or showery.
D) Intermittent, moderate or heavy.
The intensity of precipitation associated with dense nimbostratus is:
A) moderate or heavy.
B) light.
C) nil.
D) heavy, possibly hail.
Which form of precipitation from clouds containing only water is most likely to fall in mid-latitudes?
A) Heavy rain with large drops.
B) Moderate rain with large drops.
C) Drizzle.
D) Hail.
How would an unstable atmosphere likely reduce the visibility?
A) By mist.
B) Low stratus.
C) By rain and or snow.
D) By haze.
The Bergeron Theory:
A) explains the formation of hailstones in Cumulus cloud.
B) explains the formation and growth of snowflakes.
C) explains the formation of raindrops in cloud where the temperature is
above freezing.
D) presumes that at high levels in a cloud, some water droplets turn to ice
and grow by sublimation.
The presence of ice pellets at the surface is evidence that:
A) a warm front has passed.
B) there are thunderstorms in the area.
C) a cold front has passed.
D) freezing rain occurs at a higher altitude.
Types of precipitation:
Which of the following are favourable conditions for the formation of freezing rain?
A) Water droplets falling from cold air aloft with a temperature below 0° C.
B) Warm air aloft from which rain is falling into air with a temperature below
0° C.
C) An isothermal layer aloft with a temperature just above 0° C through
which rain is falling.
D) Cold air aloft from which hail is falling into air that is warm.
Which of the following are described as precipitation?
A) TS
B) DZ
C) SA
D) SQ
Hail, which can weigh up to... will only fall from... cloud. Hailstones grow by collision with... and...
A) 1 kg; CB; supercooled water droplets; sublimation
B) 1 lb.; CB; raindrops; snow
C) 1 kg; NS; raindrops; soft hail
D) 1 lb.; CB; supercooled water droplets; soft hail
With what type of cloud is heavy precipitation unlikely during the summer months?
A) SC, AS
B) CB, ST
C) NS, CC
D) AS, NS
With what type of cloud is DZ precipitation most commonly associated?
A) CC
B) CB
C) ST
D) CU
With what type of cloud is GR precipitation most commonly associated?
A) CB
B) CC
C) ST
D) AS
Which one of the following types of cloud is most likely to produce heavy precipitation?
A) SC.
B) ST.
C) NS.
D) CS.
What type of cloud can produce hail showers?
A) AC
B) CS
C) CB
D) NS
Precipitation in the form of showers occurs mainly from:
A) clouds containing only ice crystals.
B) stratified clouds.
C) cirro-type clouds.
D) convective clouds.
What is the most common freezing precipitation?
A) Freezing hail and freezing snow.
B) Freezing graupel.
C) Freezing pellets.
D) Freezing rain and freezing drizzle.
With what type of clouds are showers most likely associated?
A) Stratus.
B) Nimbostratus.
C) Stratocumulus.
D) Cumulonimbus.
With which of the following types of cloud is +RA precipitation most commonly associated?
A) SC
B) ST
C) NS
D) AC
With what type of cloud is +TSRA precipitation most commonly associated?
A) CB
B) AS
C) NS
D) SC
What type of clouds are associated with rain showers?
A) Nimbostratus.
B) Towering cumulus and altostratus.
C) Altostratus and stratus.
D) Towering cumulus and cumulonimbus.
Which precipitation type generally has the greatest impact on visibility?
A) Snow.
B) Hail.
C) Drizzle.
D) Heavy rain.
Which cloud would you encounter the most intensive rain?
A) St
B) Sc
C) Ci
D) Ns
Freezing rain occurs when:
A) water vapour first turns into water droplets.
B) rain falls into a layer of air with temperatures below 0° C.
C) snow falls into an above-freezing layer of air.
D) ice pellets melt.
Which of the following processes can produce both fog and clouds?
A) Radiation.
B) Convection.
C) Advection.
D) Divergence.
What is difference between advection and convection?
What type of clouds are associated with snow showers?
A) Cumulus and altostratus.
B) Nimbostratus.
C) Altostratus and stratus.
D) Cumulus and cumulonimbus.
Large hail stones:
A) are typically associated with severe thunderstorms.
B) are entirely composed of clear ice.
C) only occur in thunderstorms of mid-latitudes.
D) only occur in frontal thunderstorms.
21. The following statements deal with precipitation, turbulence and icing. Select the list containing the
most likely alternatives for NS cloud:
A) Precipitation may be snow, sleet or rain. Icing and turbulence are
frequently severe.
B) Precipitation may be snow, sleet or rain. Icing is probable and may range
between light and severe. Turbulence is rarely more than moderate.
C) Precipitation and icing are usually nil. Turbulence is rarely more than
moderate.
D) Precipitation is frequently in the form of hail. Icing and turbulence are
frequently severe.
When flying through a cold front in the summer, the following flying weather may be expected:
A) towering clouds without turbulence.
B) horizontally extended clouds with even tops and bases.
C) horizontally extended clouds with drizzle.
D) towering clouds with showery precipitation.
When flying from South to North in the Southern Hemisphere crossing over and above a polar frontal
jet at FL 400, what might happen to the OAT?
A) Rise.
B) Initially fall then rise.
C) Fall.
D) Initially rise then fall.
What will be the effect on the reading of an altimeter of an aircraft parked on the ground as an active
cold front is passing?
A) It will first decrease then increase.
B) It will first increase then decrease.
C) It will fluctuate up and down by about +/- 50 feet.
D) It will remain unchanged.
In which main direction does a polar front depression move?
A) Along the front towards the east.
B) Across the front towards the south.
C) Along the front towards the west.
D) Across the front towards the north.
Which of the following conditions are you most likely to encounter when approaching an active warm
front at medium to low level?
A) Extreme turbulence and severe lightning striking the ground.
B) Low cloud base and poor visibility.
C) High cloud base, good surface visibility, and isolated thunderstorms.
D) Severe thunderstorms at low altitude.
After such a downpour yesterday, the visibility is today now better. There are now isolated rain
showers with sunny spells. It is a little colder though. What is being described?
A) Warm front.
B) Tropical storm.
C) Weather behind the cold.
D) Warm sector.
What types of cloud will you meet flying towards a warm front?
A) At some 500 km from the front, groups of CB, later at some 250 km
thickening AS.
B) At some 500 km AS, later CS and at some 80 km before the front CB.
C) At some 800 km CS, later AS, and at some 300 km NS until the front.
D) Extensive areas of fog. At some100 km from the front NS begin.
Why not D?
During a cross-country flight at FL 50, you observe the following sequence of clouds: Nimbostratus,
Altostratus, Cirrostratus, Cirrus. Which of the following are you most likely to encounter?
A) Decreasing temperatures.
B) Increasing temperatures.
C) Strong, gusty winds.
D) A strong downdraught.
If you have to fly through a warm front when freezing level is at 10000 feet in the warm air and at
2000 feet in the cold air, at which altitude is the probability of freezing rain the lowest?
A) 12000 feet.
B) 5000 feet.
C) 9000 feet.
D) 3000 feet.
21. How would you find the velocity of the warm front?
A) 70% of the speed found by measuring the distance between the isobars
in the warm sector.
B) The speed found by measuring the distance between the isobars along
the front itself.
C) 70% of the speed found by measuring the distance between the isobars
ahead of the front itself.
D) Two thirds of the speed found by measuring the distance between the
isobars along the front itself.
An active low pressure system approaches - what would you notice the altimeter in an aircraft on the
ground to do during a 10 min period?
A) Impossible to tell.
B) Increases.
C) Rapidly fluctuates.
D) Remains the same as any fluctuations are small.
How are the air masses distributed in a cold occlusion?
A) The coldest air behind and the warm air in front of the occlusion; the less cold
air mass is above ground level.
B) The coldest air mass behind and the less cold air in front of the occlusion; the
warm air mass is above ground level.
C) The coldest air in front of and the less cold air is behind the occlusion; the warm
air mass is above ground level.
D) The coldest air in front of and the warm air behind the occlusion; the less cold
air is above ground level.
What is the relative movement of the two airmasses along a cold front?
A) Cold air pushes under a warm air mass.
B) Warm air pushes over a cold air mass.
C) Warm air pushes under a cold air mass.
D) Cold air slides over a warm air mass.
If cold air supersedes warm air, the boundary between the air masses is called:
A) a polar front.
B) an arctic front.
C) a cold front.
D) a warm front.
Shortly after the passage of an active cold front you observe the aneroid altimeter of a parked aircraft.
The indication of the instrument will...
A) increase.
B) show no appreciable change due to such minor pressure fluctuation.
C) not be influenced by the air pressure.
D) decrease.
A Warm occlusion is:
A) Warm air overriding cold air.
B) Air behind the cold front over riding the air in front of the warm front.
C) Warm air undercutting cold air.
D) Air ahead of the warm front over riding the air behind the cold front.
What is the name of the pressure system found between two polar front depressions:
A) Cold temporary anticyclone.
B) Cold anticyclone.
C) Blocking anticyclone.
D) Warm anticyclone.
41. What happens to an aircrafts altimeter on the ground once a cold front has passed?
A) Decreases.
B) Increases then decreases.
C) Remains the same.
D) Increases.
In which approximate direction does the centre of a frontal depression move?
A) In the direction of the sharpest pressure increase.
B) In the direction of the isobars ahead of the warm front.
C) In the direction of the warm sector isobars.
D) In the direction of the isobars behind the cold front.
In the disturbed temperature regions:
A) the wet season is normally from May to September.
B) the surface winds are moderate weasterlies.
C) winters are generally mild.
D) the weather is mainly governed by travelling frontal depressions.
Where might we find the warmest air?
A) D
B) C
C) B
D) A
Read this description: " After such a fine day, the ring around the moon was a bad sign yesterday
evening for the weather today. And, sure enough, it is pouring down outside. The clouds are making
an oppressively low ceiling of uniform grey; but at least it has become a little bit warmer." Which of
these weather phenomena is being described?
A) A cold front.
B) Weather at the back of a cold front.
C) A warm front.
D) A blizzard.
At what time of the year, are the paths of north Atlantic lows moving from west to east generally, at
their most southerly position?
A) Spring.
B) Winter.
C) Summer.
D) Autumn.
The passage of a cold front through a MET station in the British Isles will result in:
A) a steady rise in pressure and a backing of the surface wind.
B) a steady fall in pressure and a backing of the surface wind.
C) a steady rise in pressure and a veering of the surface wind.
D) a steady fall in pressure and a veering of the surface wind.
When polar maritime air is affecting North-West Europe at night the cloud amount is expected to ...
and the cloud base will...
A) decrease; lift.
B) decrease; lower.
C) increase; lower.
D) increase; lift.
In which of the following situations can freezing rain be encountered?
A) Ahead of a warm front in the winter.
B) Ahead of a cold front in the winter.
C) Ahead of a cold front in the summer.
D) Behind a warm front in the summer.
What type of front / occlusion usually moves the fastest?
A) Warm occlusion.
B) Cold occlusion.
C) Warm front.
D) Cold front.
What weather might you expect behind a fast moving cold front?
A) 8 oktas of layered cloud.
B) Continuous rain.
C) Scattered ST.
D) Isolated CB and showers.
A frontal depression passes through the airport. What form of precipitation do you expect?
A) Rain or snow during about 12 hours until the warm front arrives. Within the
warm sector the rain increases. Improvement on the passage of the cold front.
B) Showers during some 2 hours until the warm front arrives. Drizzle in the warm
sector within 12 hours. Rain or snow on the passage of the cold front.
C) Continuous rain or snow during 6 hours until the warm front arrives. The
precipitation stops for several hours within the warm sector. On the arrival of
the cold front, showers within a couple of hours.
D) Continuous rain or snow while the frontal wave passes for a period of some 24
hours.
What type of precipitation would you expect at an active unstable cold front?
A) Light to moderate continuous rain.
B) Freezing rain.
C) Drizzle.
D) Showers associated with thunderstorms.
Which one of the following alternatives indicates how an occluded front is generated?
A) a cold front is halted and becomes almost stationary.
B) a cold front overtakes a warm front and the warm air between the fronts
is lifted.
C) cold air wedges under warm air.
D) warm air supersedes cold air.
Frontal depressions can be assumed to move in the direction of the 2000 feet wind:
A) at the apex of the wave.
B) in the warm sector.
C) in front of the warm front.
D) behind the cold front.
What will be the effect on the reading of an altimeter of an aircraft parked on the ground shortly
before an active cold front passes?
A) It will be decreasing.
B) It will be increasing.
C) It will remain unchanged.
D) It will fluctuate up and down by about +/- 50 feet.
With the passage of a Polar frontal depression what would be most likely?
A) Showers for 2hrs, Drizzle for 12hrs, then snow and rain.
B) Continual backing of the wind.
C) Heavy showers of rains and possible hail, followed by drizzle and light rain.
D) Continuous snow and rain, then it stops to be followed by showers of rain and snow.
In a polar front depression, an occlusion is called a warm occlusion when the cold air:
A) behind is colder than the cold air in front.
B) behind is less cold than the cold air in front, with the warm air at a high altitude.
C) in front of the surface position of front is only at a high altitude.
D) behind is colder than the cold air in front, with the warm air being at a
high altitude.
Flying towards a warm front, at what distances might you expect the following cloud types from the
surface position of the front?
A) CS 800km: AS 200km: NS 400km.
B) CS 600km; AS 400km: NS 200km.
C) CS 200km: AS 400 km: NS 600km.
D) CS 400km: AS 600km: NS 800km.
After passing at right angles through a very active cold front in the direction of the cold air, what will
you encounter, in the northern hemisphere immediately after a marked change in temperature?
A) A veering in the wind direction.
B) A backing in the wind direction.
C) An increase in tailwind.
D) A decrease in headwind.
After such a downpour yesterday, the visibility is today now better. There are now isolated rain
showers with sunny spells. It is a little colder though! What is being described?
A) Warm sector.
B) Tropical storm.
C) Weather behind the cold front.
D) Warm front.
What is the weather inside the warm sector in a frontal depression in Europe?
A) Low stratus and drizzle.
B) Cb and thunderstorms.
C) As with light rain.
D) Fair weather Cu.
A warm sector of a polar depression passes over an observer in Auckland, New Zealand. As the warm
front passes the temperature will ... and the wind will...
A) fall; veer.
B) fall; back.
C) rise; veer.
D) rise; back.
How come backs??
If an active cold front is approaching, and pressure falls, what will the altimeter read on a parked
aircraft shortly before the front arrives?
A) Fluctuates -50ft to +50ft.
B) Stays the same.
C) Decrease.
D) Increase.
As an active cold front passes, the altimeter of an aircraft parked on the apron:
A) decreases then increases.
B) increases then decreases.
C) remains unchanged.
D) fluctuates by +/- 50 ft.
What type of low pressure area is associated with a surface front?
A) Polar front low.
B) A cold air pool.
C) A low on lee side of a mountain.
D) Heat low.
The weather associated with a cold front may vary from a minor change of wind to a serious
thunderstorm with low cloud base, bad visibility and strong, gusty winds. The type of weather depends
on:
A) All answers are correct.
B) The speed and slope of the cold front.
C) The amount of humidity in the warm air.
D) The stability of the warm air.
81. What will be the effect on the reading of an altimeter of an aircraft parked on the ground during
the period following the passage of an active cold front?
A) It will remain unchanged.
B) It will have increased.
C) It will have decreased.
D) It will show a small increase or decrease.
The cloud sequence that could be expected during the passage of a typical warm front would be:
A) AS, CI, CS, ST, NS.
B) CB, ST, AS, CS, CI
C) CI, AS, CB, CU.
D) CI, CS, AS, NS, ST.
The mean position of the polar front in the N Atlantic is:
A) from Florida to North of the UK in January.
B) from north of UK to Newfoundland in July.
C) from Florida to SW UK in July.
D) from SW UK to Newfoundland in January.
What cloud cover is typical for a wide warm sector of a polar front depression over Central Europe in
the summer?
A) BKN CU and CB.
B) Sky clear.
C) ST with drizzle.
D) Fair weather CU.
State in which type of front supercooled raindrops most frequently occur?
A) Occlusion.
B) Warm front.
C) Stationary front.
D) Cold front.
When flying in the warm sector of a well developed frontal depression, well clear of all fronts, which of
the following statements are correct:
Of these statements:
A) b & c are correct
B) a, b & c are correct
C) a & d are correct
D) b & d are correct
If flying cross country at FL50 you first see NS, AS, CC then CI, you can expect:
A) Increasing temperature.
B) A veer in the wind.
C) Increase in pressure.
D) Decreasing temperature.
With the passage of a cold front crossing the United Kingdom from the North Atlantic, the following
weather changes can be expected:
A) a veer in the wind, a fall in pressure.
B) a back in the wind, pressure falling then starting to rise.
C) a back in the wind, pressure starting to fall.
D) a veer in the wind, pressure falling then starting to rise.
What type of fronts are most likely to be present during the winter in Central Europe when
temperatures close to the ground are below 0° C, and freezing rain starts to fall?
A) Warm fronts, warm occlusions.
B) Cold occlusions.
C) Cold fronts.
D) High level cold fronts.
The main factor which contributes to the formation of very low clouds ahead of a warm front is the:
A) saturation of the warm air by rain falling into it and evaporating.
B) warm air moving over a cold surface.
C) saturation of the cold air by rain falling into it and evaporating.
D) reduction of outgoing radiation due to clouds.
At a quasi-stationary front:
A) winds blow parallel to the isobars and front.
B) winds blow perpendicular to the isobars.
C) winds are usually gusty and variable.
D) winds are always very strong.
The main high pressure systems affecting NW Europe have their origins in or over:
A) North Atlantic, Mediterranean, North Africa.
B) Scandinavia, Siberia, North Africa.
C) North Atlantic, Azores, South East Europe (Balkans).
D) Azores, Siberia.
When do cold occlusions occur most frequently in Europe?
A) Summer.
B) Winter and spring.
C) Winter.
D) Autumn and winter.
When flying in the warm sector of a well developed frontal depression, well clear of
all fronts, which of the following statements are correct:
a. Severe windshear occurs on the approach to landing at inland airfields
b. There is little or no cloud above 6500 ft
c. The air will be generally unstable
d. There will be widespread poor visibility, possibly advection fog at low level
A) a, b & c are correct
B) a & d are correct
C) b & d are correct
D) b & c are correct
Where is the coldest air to be found, in an occlusion with cold front characteristics?
A) Behind the front.
B) At the junction of the occlusion.
C) Ahead of the front.
D) At the surface position of the front.
You are flying from Sydney, Australia to Auckland, New Zealand (track 100 deg T). You have a strong
starboard drift. If the QNH at Sydney is 1013, you could expect the QNH at Auckland to be:
A) impossible to determine.
B) 1023.
C) 1013.
D) 1003.
Standing in the Northern Hemisphere, north of a polar frontal depression travelling west to east, the
wind will...
A) back then veer.
B) continually veer.
C) continually back.
D) veer then back.
You are flying from Sydney, Australia to Auckland, New Zealand (track 100 deg T). You have a strong
port drift.
If the QNH at Sydney is 1013, you could expect the QNH at Auckland to be:
A) 1023
B) 1003
C) 1013
D) impossible to determine
In the Northern Hemisphere a man observes a low pressure system passing him to the south, from
west to east.
What wind will he experience?
A) Backs then Veers.
B) Constantly Backs.
C) Backs then steady.
D) Veers then Backs.
Select the answer which you consider will complete correctly the following statement in relation to the
main pressure systems affecting the North Atlantic region between 30° N and 65° N. During winter the
predominant mean low pressure system at the surface is usually centred over:
A) Iceland / Greenland.
B) Azores.
C) USA.
D) Siberia.
In which of the following areas do surface high pressure systems usually predominate over the North
Atlantic region between 30° N and 65° N and the adjoining land areas during the northern summer?
A) Greenland, Azores, NE Canada.
B) Azores, SE USA, SW Europe.
C) Greenland, SW Europe, NE Canada.
D) Iceland, SW USA, Azores.
With the passage of an active polar front depression the surface winds will... and the upper winds will
... in the northern hemisphere:
A) veer; veer
B) back; veer
C) veer; back
D) back; back
In a shallow pressure distribution (widely spaced Isobars or low pressure gradients) you observe the
aneroid altimeter of a parked aircraft for 10 minutes (no thunderstorms observed). The reading of the
instrument will.
A) Increase greatly.
B) Not be influenced by the air pressure.
C) Experience great changes.
D) Show no appreciable change due to such a minor pressure fluctuation.
When flying at FL180 in the Southern Hemisphere you experience a left crosswind. What is happening
to your true altitude if indicated altitude is constant?
A) Impossible to tell.
B) Increasing.
C) Remains the same.
D) Decreasing.
Considering the North Atlantic region between 30° N and 65° N together with the adjacent land areas
during winter, the normal disposition of the main anticyclones at the surface is:
A) Azores, Siberia.
B) Siberia, Iceland, Canaries.
C) NE Canada, Iceland.
D) Greenland, Iberian peninsula.
If you fly with left drift in the Northern Hemisphere, what is happening to your true altitude?
A) Increases.
B) Can't tell.
C) Stays the same.
D) Decreases.
Select the answer in relation to the main pressure systems affecting the North Atlantic region between
30° N and 65° N: During winter the predominant low pressure system at the surface is usually
centered over...
A) USA.
B) Siberia.
C) Iceland & Greenland.
D) Azores.
What is the movement of air relating to a ridge?
A) Ascending and diverging.
B) Descending and diverging.
C) Descending and converging.
D) Ascending and converging.
Tropical revolving storms occur in ... They then usually move ... and on reaching a land mass they...
A) early summer, west, decay
B) late summer, west, intensify
C) late summer, west, decay
D) late summer, west, intensify
In the Northern Hemisphere between lat. 35 N - 65 N in the north Atlantic during winter, the principle
land based depression affecting the region is located at:
A) Greenland / Icelandic low.
B) Azores high.
C) USA high.
D) Siberia high.
With two pressure systems at different latitudes, but with the same isobar spacing, it would be
possible to have the same gradient wind speed with:
A) a low at low latitude and a high at high latitude.
B) a low at high latitude and a high at low latitude.
C) a low at high latitude and a high at high latitude.
D) a low at low latitude and a high at low latitude.
When would you most likely find cold occlusions across central Europe?
A) Winter.
B) Winter and spring.
C) Summer.
D) Winter and Autumn.
21. A polar air low is usually formed by:
A) returning polar maritime air moving over warm sea in summer.
B) polar maritime air moving SE over the sea in winter.
C) polar continental air moving over warmer land in the spring.
D) a depression forming on the polar front in summer.
Considering the North Atlantic region between 30° N and 65° N and the adjacent land areas during
mid-summer, the predominant pressure systems are:
A) Azores high and weak low over NE Canada.
B) weak low over NE Canada and Scandinavian high.
C) Scandinavian high and Azores high.
D) Azores low and Icelandic high.
The formation of high and low pressure areas is normally caused by:
A) temperature differences.
B) humidity.
C) storms.
D) mechanical turbulence.
Anticyclones:
In temperate latitudes what weather conditions may be expected over land during the summer in the
centre of a stationary high pressure zone?
A) Calm winds, haze.
B) CB, TS.
C) NS.
D) TS, SH.
A blocking anticyclone:
A) usually takes the form of a wedge of warm air aligned east - west.
B) a deep depression which dominates all other weather in the vicinity.
C) is often a warm anticyclone which usually converts the west - east
movement of polar front lows into a meridional flow.
D) is always a cold anticyclone.
What is the most likely cause of a lack of clouds at higher levels in a stationary high?
A) Divergence at higher levels.
B) Rising air.
C) Sinking air.
D) Instability.
What surface weather is associated with a stationary high pressure region over land in the winter?
A) Thunderstorms.
B) NS with continuous rain.
C) The possibility of snow showers.
D) A tendency for fog and low ST.
The stable layer at some height in the low troposphere of an older high pressure area in the mid-
latitudes is called:
A) friction inversion.
B) trade wind inversion.
C) subsidence inversion.
D) radiation inversion.
What is the correct term for the descending air flow in a large high pressure area?
A) Convergence.
B) Subsidence.
C) Convection.
D) Advection.
The most effective way to dissipate cloud is by:
A) convection.
B) a decrease in temperature.
C) subsidence.
D) a decrease in pressure.
Areas of sinking air are generally cloudless because as air sinks it:
A) is heated by compression.
B) is heated by expansion.
C) reaches warmer layers.
D) loses water vapour.
If the pressure surfaces bulge upwards in all levels then the pressure system is a:
A) warm low.
B) cold high.
C) cold low.
D) warm high.
Subsidence is:
A) vertically downwards motion of air.
B) vertically upwards motion of air.
C) horizontal motion of air.
D) the same as convection.
Extensive cloud and precipitation is often associated with a non frontal thermal depression because of:
A) surface convergence and upper level divergence causing widespread
ascent of air in the depression.
B) surface convergence and upper level divergence causing widespread
descent of air in the depression.
C) surface divergence and upper level convergence causing widespread
ascent of air in the depression.
D) surface divergence and upper level convergence causing widespread
descent of air in the depression.
When air is lifted due to the presence of a range of mountains in its path, the resulting vertical motion
is referred to as:
A) Convergence.
B) Turbulence.
C) Orographic lifting.
D) Frontal lifting.
With an intense trough of low pressure over Iceland during wintertime the weather likely to be
experienced is:
A) strong wind with subsidence at low levels.
B) light wind, good visibility and a high cloud ceiling.
C) strong wind associated with an almost clear sky.
D) strong wind shear, convection and snow showers.
What is encountered during the summer, over land, in the centre of a cold air pool?
A) Showers and thunderstorms.
B) Fine weather CU.
C) Strong westerly winds.
D) Nothing (CAVOK).
What type of air movement is associated with the centre line of a trough?
A) Convergence with lifting.
B) Divergence with lifting.
C) Divergence with descending air.
D) Convergence with descending air.
Tropical Revolving Storm:
On which coast of North America, is the danger of tropical revolving storms the greatest?
A) NE coast.
B) W coast.
C) N coast.
D) SE coast.
What type of clouds, visible even at a long distance, could indicate the presence of a tropical revolving
storm?
A) Excessive accumulation of CU.
B) Frequent SC.
C) Dense CI.
D) NS spread over a large area.
What is the track most likely to be taken by a hurricane in the Caribbean area?
A) West in the earlier stages and later south east.
B) East.
C) West in the earlier stages and later north east.
D) West deep into the U.S.
During which seasons are hurricanes most likely to appear in the northern hemisphere?
A) Winter and spring.
B) All seasons.
C) Summer and autumn.
D) Winter.
The region of the globe where the greatest number of tropical revolving storms occur is:
A) the Caribbean sea, affecting the West Indies, Mexico and the south-east
coastline of the USA.
B) the south-western Indian ocean, affecting Madagascar, Mauritius and the island
of Ré union.
C) the north-west Pacific, affecting Japan, Formosa, Korea and the Chinese
coastline.
D) the northern Indian ocean, affecting India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
The arrows labelled R represent the mean tracks of tropical revolving storms which occur mainly from:
A) December to April and are called tornadoes.
B) June to October and are called hurricanes.
C) December to April and are called cyclones.
D) June to October and are called typhoons.
The arrows labelled S represent the mean tracks of tropical revolving storms which occur mainly from:
A) December to April and are called cyclones.
B) December to April and are called typhoons.
C) May to November and are called cyclones.
D) May to November and are called hurricanes.
When, if at all, is a tropical revolving storm most likely to affect Darwin, on the central north coast of
Australia?
A) May to July.
B) August to October.
C) Not experienced at Darwin.
D) December to April.
21. Tropical revolving storms do not occur in the southeast Pacific and the south Atlantic
because:
A) of the low water temperature.
B) the southeast trade winds cross over into the northern hemisphere.
C) there is no Coriolis force present.
D) of the strong southeast wind.
Where are TRS not likely to form?
A) South Indian Ocean.
B) South China sea.
C) South Pacific.
D) South Atlantic.
During which months is the Hurricane season in the Caribbean?
A) April until July.
B) January until April.
C) July until November.
D) October until January.
In which part of the world are TRS most frequent?
A) Northern Indian Oceans around India, Sri Lanka.
B) NW Pacific i.e. Japan, Korea, SE Asia.
C) Madagascar, Eastern Indian Ocean.
D) Caribbean.
What is the likely track for a hurricane in the Caribbean area?
A) West deep into the USA.
B) East then south.
C) West in the earlier stages and later turning south east.
D) West in the earlier stages and later turning north east.
Where is the most severe weather in a TRS?
A) in the wall of cloud surrounding the eye.
B) in the centre of the eye.
C) 300km from the eye.
D) within the eye.
At what time of the year are typhoons most likely to occur over the southern islands of
Japan?
A) January to May.
B) September to January.
C) July to November.
D) May to July.