Meteorology

How can the stability of the atmosphere be determined? Select one: a. Ambient temperature lapse rate. b. Surface pressure. c. Atmospheric pressure at various levels. d. Surface temperature / dewpoint spread.

a. Ambient temperature lapse rate.

The radiation of the sun heats: Select one: a. The surface of the earth, which heats the air in the troposphere. b. The water vapour in the air of the troposphere. c. The air in the troposphere only directly if no clouds are present. d. The air in the troposphere directly.

a. The surface of the earth, which heats the air in the troposphere.

The air temperature in the stratosphere: Select one: a. Gradually decreases with altitude. b. Gradually increases with altitude. c. Remains constant throughout. d. None of the above.

b. Gradually increases with altitude

The troposphere: Select one: a. Is the separation layer between the stratosphere and atmosphere. b. Contains all oxygen of the stratosphere. c. Has a greater vertical extent above the equator than above the poles. d. Reaches the same height at all latitudes.

c. Has a greater vertical extent above the equator than above the poles.

What is standard temperature at 20,000 feet? Select one: A. -25 °C B. -20 °C C. -15 °C D. -5 °C

A. -25 °C

Which condition would cause the altimeter to indicate a lower altitude than actually flown (true altitude)? Select one: A. Air temperature lower than standard. B. Atmospheric pressure lower than standard. C. Air temperature warmer than standard. D. Flying on the lee side of a mountain wave.

C. Air temperature warmer than standard.

Areas of _____ pressure flow towards areas of _____ pressure. Select one: a. High; low b. Low; high c. Equal; high d. Low; equal

a. High; low

Where is a common location for an inversion? Select one: a. In the stratosphere. b. In wake turbulence. c. At the tropopause. d. At the base of cumulus clouds.

a. In the stratosphere.

An inversion is characterized by: Select one: a. Increasing temperature with increasing altitude. b. Parts of the air mass at each level is warmer than surrounding air. c. Constant temperature with increasing altitude. d. The tendency to increase relative humidity with increasing altitude.

a. Increasing temperature with increasing altitude.

Where is the ozone layer? Select one: a. Stratosphere b. Ionosphere c. Tropopause d. Troposphere

a. Stratosphere

Which factors below increase density altitude for a given aerodrome? 1. Decreasing air pressure 2. Increasing air pressure 3. Decreasing temperature 4. Increasing temperature Select one: a. 1, 2 b. 2, 3 c. 1, 4 d. 2, 4

c. 1, 4

Advection is: Select one: a. Vertical motion of air. b. The same as subsidence. c. The same as convection. d. Horizontal motion of air.

d. Horizontal motion of air.

What is responsible for the uniform temperature throughout the stratosphere? Select one: a. Extremely low air pressure. b. Moisture content. c. Earth's ozone layer. d. Initial statement false.

d. Initial statement false.

Horizontal differences in the mean temperature of a layer are caused by: Select one: a. A change of air mass. b. Advection. c. Convection. d. Differential heating of the earth's surface.

d. Differential heating of the earth's surface.

How far apart are isobars spaced on weather charts? Select one: A. 4 mb B. 1 mb C. 3 mb D. 2 mb

A. 4 mb

Pressure altitude 5,000 ft True air temperature +30 °C From the conditions given, the approximate density altitude is: Select one: A. 9,000 feet B. 7,200 feet C. 7,800 feet D. 6,700 feet

C. 7,800 feet

Every physical process of weather is accompanied by or is the result of: Select one: A. A pressure differential. B. Coriolis Force. C. A heat exchange. D. The movement of air.

C. A heat exchange.

Which of the following are not means of cooling the atmosphere? Select one: a. Convection b. Advection c. Radiation d. Adiabatic

a. Convection

The primary source of all weather is: Select one: a. The sun b. Moisture c. Clouds d. Wind

a. The sun

What, approximately, is the average height of the tropopause over the equator? Select one: a. 18 km b. 11 km c. 8 km d. 40 km

a. 18 km

Your indicated altitude is 8,500'. The altimeter setting is 29.42. Calculate pressure altitude. Select one: a. 9,000' b. 8,000' c. 8,500' d. 8,450'

a. 9,000'

Cyclonic pressure systems in the Southern hemisphere represent Select one: a. rising air that is rotating clockwise and flowing inwards towards the center. b. sinking air that is rotating counter-clockwise and flowing inwards towards the center. c. rising air that is rotating counter-clockwise and flowing inwards towards the center. d. rising air that is rotating clockwise and flowing outwards from the center.

a. rising air that is rotating clockwise and flowing inwards towards the center.

The incoming _________ radiation from the sun's rays are re-radiated into the atmosphere as infrared radiation, which has a __________ wavelength than the incoming solar radiation. Select one: a. Shortwave; longer b. Shortwave; shorter c. Longwave; shorter d. Longwave; longer

a. Shortwave; longer

What is responsible for the variations in heating of the atmosphere with respect to seasons? Select one: a. The distance of the earth from the sun. b. The tilt of the earth's axis. c. The depth of the troposhere. d. The jet stream is responsible for seasons.

b. The tilt of the earth's axis.

Which of the following alternatives applies to the correct composition of the atmosphere by volume? Select one: a. 50 % oxygen and 50 % nitrogen b. 25 % oxygen, 50 % nitrogen and 25 % water vapour c. 21 % nitrogen and 78 % oxygen d. 21 % oxygen and 78 % nitrogen

d. 21 % oxygen and 78 % nitrogen

En route at FL 290, your altimeter is set correctly, but you fail to reset it to the local altimeter setting of 30.26" Hg during descent. If the field elevation is 134 feet and your altimeter is functioning properly, what will it indicate after landing? Select one: A. 206 feet below MSL B. 474 feet MSL C. 206 feet above MSL D. 100 feet MSL

A. 206 feet below MSL

While flying at FL 250, you hear ATC give an altimeter setting of 28.92" Hg in your area. At what pressure altitude are you flying? Select one: A. 25,000 feet B. 26,000 feet C. 23,000 feet D. 24,000 feet

A. 25,000 feet

Under what condition will true altitude be lower than indicated altitude with an altimeter setting of 29.92" Hg? Select one: A. In colder than standard air temperature. B. Temperature below 0°C. C. When density altitude is higher than indicated altitude. D. In warmer than standard air temperature.

A. In colder than standard air temperature.

A characteristic of the stratosphere is: Select one: A. Relatively small changes in temperature with an increase in altitude. B. A relatively even base altitude of approximately 35,000 feet. C. An overall decrease of temperature with an increase in altitude. D. All of the above.

A. Relatively small changes in temperature with an increase in altitude.

Under which condition will pressure altitude be equal to true altitude? Select one: A. When standard atmospheric conditions exist. B. When the atmospheric pressure is 29.92" Hg. C. When indicated altitude is equal to the pressure altitude. D. None of the above.

A. When standard atmospheric conditions exist.

If you are departing from an airport from which you cannot obtain an altimeter setting, you should set your altimeter: Select one: A. On 29.92" Hg B. To the airport elevation. C. On the current airport barometric pressure, if known. D. Set 1013.2 mb

B. To the airport elevation.

What is standard temperature at 10,000 feet? Select one: A. +15 °C B. -15 °C C. -5 °C D. +5 °C

C. -5 °C 10,000 / 1000 * 1,98°C - 15°C = - 4,8°C

If the air temperature is +8 °C at an elevation of 1,350 feet and a standard (average) temperature lapse rate exists, what will be the approximate freezing level? Select one: A. 3,350 feet MSL B. 4,016 feet MSL C. 5,350 feet MSL D. 9,350 feet MSL

C. 5,350 feet MSL

Under what condition is pressure altitude and density altitude the same value? Select one: A. Only when altimeter is 29.92'' Hg, and temperature is standard. B. When the altimeter setting is 29.92" Hg. C. At standard temperature. D. When indicated, and pressure altitudes are the same value on the altimeter.

C. At standard temperature.

29.92 in Hg is equivalent to how many millibars of pressure? Select one: a. 1013.25 millibars b. 101.325 millibars c. 114.25 millibars d. 1015.85 millibars

a. 1013.25 millibars

Over the equator, the tropopause sits at approximately _______' and at the poles it is at ______'. Select one: a. 54,000; 25,000 b. 18,000; 65,000 c. 65,000; 18,000 d. 45,000; 32,000

a. 54,000; 25,000

What is the expected temperature at 3000' ASL in standard atmospheric conditions? Select one: a. 9° C b. 17° C c. 6° C d. 7.5° C

a. 9° C 15 deg C @ SeaLevel - (1.98deg C / 1000ft * 3000ft) = 9.06 deg Celsius

The atmosphere is composed of the following elements in order from least to greatest composition: Select one: a. Carbon dioxide; Oxygen; Nitrogen b. Oxygen; Nitrogen; Water vapour c. Oxygen; Nitrogen; Argon d. Carbon dioxide; Nitrogen; Oxygen

a. Carbon dioxide; Oxygen; Nitrogen

Which of the following best predicts aircraft performance? Select one: a. Density altitude b. Pressure altitude c. True altitude d. Indicated altitude

a. Density altitude

What percentage of the earth's atmosphere is composed of water vapour? Select one: a. Less than 1% b. Around 10% c. Around 5% d. Around 25%

a. Less than 1%

What can be said about pressure in the stratosphere? Select one: a. Pressure decreases with height b. The Pressure is constant c. The Pressure is increasing. d. Pressure in first constant in the lower layer and then increases.

a. Pressure decreases with height

Barometric altimeters are calibrated to react to temperature variations according to: Select one: a. Standard atmospheric conditions. b. Actual environmental conditions by using an altimeter setting. c. No calibration is required as extreme temperature is accompanied by high or low pressure. d. An expected drop of 2.5° C in temperature per 1000'.

a. Standard atmospheric conditions.

What defines the start of the tropopause? Select one: a. Sudden change in lapse rate. b. Air pressure becomes momentarily greater. c. Moisture content drops to zero and then gradually increases. d. Uniformity of pressure.

a. Sudden change in lapse rate

What temperature and pressure conditions would be safest to ensure that your flight level clears all the obstacles by the greatest margin? Select one: a. Temp more than or equal to ISA and an altimter setting greater than 29.92" Hg. b. Cold temp / low pressure. c. Temp less than or equal to ISA and an altimeter setting less than 29.92" Hg. d. Warm temp / high pressure.

a. Temp more than or equal to ISA and an altimter setting greater than 29.92" Hg.

Visible moisture forms in air when: Select one: a. Temperature cools to the dew point causing the air to saturate. b. Temperature warms up to the dew point causing the air to saturate. c. The relative humidity reaches 50%. d. There is enough moisture present in the air.

a. Temperature cools to the dew point causing the air to saturate.

Diurnal variation refers to: Select one: a. Temperature variation by day and night. b. Temperature variation by altitude. c. The vertical motion of rising air tends to become weaker and disappears. d. The environmental lapse rate is high, with little vertical motion of air currents.

a. Temperature variation by day and night.

Water vapour is found in what part of the earth's atmosphere? Select one: a. Troposphere b. Mesosphere c. Stratosphere d. Thermosphere

a. Troposphere

The mesosphere is characterized by: Select one: a. Very low temperatures. b. Very high temperatures. c. Uniform temperature. d. Presence of weather.

a. Very low temperatures.

Anticyclonic pressure systems in the Northern hemisphere represent Select one: a. sinking air that is rotating clockwise and flowing outward from the center. b. sinking air that is rotating counter-clockwise and flowing inwards towards the center. c. rising air that is rotating clockwise and flowing outward from the center. d. rising air that is rotating counter-clockwise and flowing inwards towards the center.

a. sinking air that is rotating clockwise and flowing outward from the center.

Altimeters that are in error by more than ____' when given a correct altimeter setting must be re-calibrated. Select one: a. 25 b. 50 c. 75 d. 100

b. 50

The heat of the earth is transferred upwards largely by: Select one: a. Radiation b. Convection c. Conduction d. Compression

b. Convection

Wind does not flow directly towards a low pressure system because of: Select one: a. Moisture gradient. b. Coriolis force. c. Temperature gradient. d. Initial statement is false.

b. Coriolis force.

Which condition is present when a local parcel of air is stable? Select one: a. The parcel of air cannot be forced uphill. b. The parcel of air resists convection. c. As the parcel of air moves upward, its temperature becomes warmer than the surrounding air. d. None of the above.

b. The parcel of air resists convection.

What is the primary cause of all changes in the earth's weather? Select one: a. Changes in air pressure over the earth's surface. b. Variation of solar energy at the earth's surface. c. Movement of air masses from moist areas to dry areas. d. None of the above.

b. Variation of solar energy at the earth's surface.

The environmental lapse rate in the real atmosphere: Select one: a. Has a fixed value of 2.5 deg C / 1000' when saturated. b. Varies with time. c. Has a fixed value of 3 deg C / 1000' when dry. d. Is always 1.98 deg C / 1000ft.

b. Varies with time.

The thermosphere is characterized by: Select one: a. Very low temperatures. b. Very high temperatures. c. Uniform temperature. d. Presence of weather.

b. Very high temperatures.

According to standard atmosphere the station pressure as measured by two stations in the same region but at different altitudes will be Select one: a. the same. b. higher as measured by the lower station. c. higher as measured by the higher station. d. 29.92 in Hg.

b. higher as measured by the lower station.

FL 140, an OAT -12° C is measured. What will the temperature be at FL 110 if you consider the temperature gradient of the Standard Atmosphere? Select one: a. -2° C b. +2° C c. -6° C d. -18° C

c. -6° C A descend of 3000ft results in 3 * 1.98 deg C = 5.94 deg C increase in temperature. -12 deg C + 5.94 = -6.06 deg C

According to the properties of standard atmosphere a station registering 28 in Hg at 2 000 feet elevation would report an altimeter setting of Select one: a. 29.92 in Hg. b. 28.00 in Hg. c. 30.00 in Hg. d. 28.20 in Hg.

c. 30.00 in Hg. 1 in Hg = 1 000 feet 2 000 / 1 000 = 2 in Hg 28 + 2 = 30 in Hg

Flying over mountains in 24ºC, the altimeter setting of 30.22" Hg is received from a nearby airfield. What will the true altitude be when 6,000' is reached assuming terrain below the aircraft rises to 4000' ASL? Select one: a. 6,075' b. 5,925' c. 6,145' d. 5,784'

c. 6,145'

An aircraft takes off from Doha (elevation 30') with the correct altimeter setting of 30.12" set on the altimeter. The aircraft then lands at Al Ain (elevation 500') but without re-setting the altimeter sub-scale. If the altimeter setting at Al Ain at the time of landing was 29.98" what would the aircraft's altimeter read on touch-down? Select one: a. 450' b. 950' c. 640' d. Zero

c. 640'

How does temperature vary with increasing altitude in the ICAO standard atmosphere below the tropopause? Select one: a. Increases. b. Remains constant. c. Decreases. d. At first it increases and higher up it decreases.

c. Decreases.

The areas around the equator are characterized by: Select one: a. High pressure. b. Stagnant air. c. Low pressure. d. None of the above.

c. Low pressure.

Altimeter setting is based on Select one: a. station pressure. b. standard atmosphere. c. MSL pressure. d. none of the above.

c. MSL pressure.

A significant inversion at low height is a characteristic of: Select one: a. Cumulus clouds. b. The passage of cold front. c. Nocturnal radiation. d. Advection fog.

c. Nocturnal radiation.

An isothermal layer is a layer of air in which the temperature: Select one: a. Increases with height at a constant rate. b. Increases with height. c. Remains constant with height. d. Decreases with height at a constant rate.

c. Remains constant with height.

What characteristic is associated with a temperature inversion? Select one: a. Instability. b. Area of active storms. c. Stability. d. Clear ice.

c. Stability.

Which of the following is a common cause of ground or surface temperature inversion? Select one: a. The movement of colder air under warm air, or the movement of warm air over cold air. b. Heating of the air by subsidence. c. Warm air being lifted rapidly aloft, in the vicinity of mountainous terrain. d. Terrestrial radiation on a clear night with no or very light winds.

d. Terrestrial radiation on a clear night with no or very light winds.

The percentage concentration of gases in the atmosphere is constant from the surface of the earth to a certain altitude with the exception of: Select one: a. Nitrogen b. Oxygen c. Hydrogen d. Water vapour

d. Water vapour

En route at FL 290, the altimeter is set correctly, but not reset to the local altimeter setting of 30.57" Hg during descent. If the field elevation is 650 feet and the altimeter is functioning properly, what will be the approximate indication upon landing? Select one: A. Sea level B. 10,000 feet C. 650 feet D. 1,300 feet

A. Sea level

Given a surface temperature of 15°C, calculate the expected temperature at 6,500' given a surface elevation of 500'. Select one: a. 3.12° C b. 3° C c. 0° C d. -3° C

a. 3.12° C

Which of the following statements concerning the conditions in the lower part of the atmosphere is correct? Select one: a. The tropopause is lower during the winter than in summer. b. In the lower part of the stratosphere the temperature decreases with on an average 2° C per 1.000 ft. c. The troposphere has a larger vertical extension when the average temperature is low. d. That part where the temperature on an average decreases with height is called the tropopause.

a. The tropopause is lower during the winter than in summer

Weather is prevented from rising through which of the following atmospheric layers? Select one: a. Tropopause b. Stratopause c. Thermopause d. Mesopause

a. Tropopause

What is the boundary layer between troposphere and stratosphere called? Select one: a. Tropopause b. Ionosphere c. Atmosphere d. Stratosphere

a. Tropopause

Place the following atmospheric layers in order from dense to least dense: Select one: a. Troposphere; Stratosphere; Mesosphere; Thermosphere b. Troposphere; Mesosphere; Stratosphere; Thermosphere c. Troposphere; Stratosphere; Thermosphere; Mesosphere d. Stratosphere; Mesosphere; Thermosphere; Troposphere

a. Troposphere; Stratosphere; Mesosphere; Thermosphere

Which feature is associated with the tropopause? Select one: a. Absolute upper limit of cloud formation. b. Abrupt change of temperature lapse rate. c. Absence of wind and turbulence. d. None of the above.

b. Abrupt change of temperature lapse rate.

Which condition would cause the altimeter to indicate a lower altitude than that actually flown? Select one: a. Air temperature lower than standard. b. Air temperature higher than standard. c. Pressure altitude the same as indicated altitude. d. Atmospheric pressure lower than standard.

b. Air temperature higher than standard.

An inversion is: Select one: a. A decrease of temperature with height. b. An increase of temperature with height. c. A decrease of pressure with height. d. An increase of pressure with height.

b. An increase of temperature with height.

Precipitation is more readily associated with which weather system? Select one: a. High pressure b. Cyclonic c. Anticyclone d. Convection

b. Cyclonic

How does the height of the tropopause vary with latitude in the Northern Hemisphere? Select one: a. Decreases as we move from north pole to Equator b. Decreases as we move from Equator to north pole. c. It varies with longitude not latitude. d. Remains constant.

b. Decreases as we move from Equator to north pole.

The thickness of the troposphere varies with: Select one: a. Rotation of the earth b. The wind c. Latitude d. Longitude

c. Latitude

In which layer is most of the atmospheric humidity concentrated? Select one: a. Stratosphere b. Tropopause c. Troposphere d. Stratopause

c. Troposphere

Pressure altitude 7,000 ft Air temperature at this altitude is +15 °C From the conditions given, the approximate density altitude is (use your whiz wheel): Select one: A. 8,700 feet B. 8,200 feet C. 4,500 feet D. 7,800 feet

A. 8,700 feet

Pressure altitude 12,000 ft True air temperature +50 °F From the conditions given, the approximate density altitude is: Select one: A. 18,150 feet B. 14,130 feet C. 11,900 feet D. 12,000 feet

B. 14,130 feet

Which feature is associated with the tropopause? Select one: A. Steep pressure gradient. B. Abrupt change in temperature lapse rate. C. Absence of wind and turbulent conditions. D. Absolute upper limit of cloud formation.

B. Abrupt change in temperature lapse rate.

The primary cause of all weather changes in the earth's atmosphere is: Select one: A. Movement of the air masses. B. Changes in air pressure over the earth's surface. C. Variation of solar energy received by the earth's regions. D. Coriolis Force.

C. Variation of solar energy received by the earth's regions.

Pressure altitude 6,000 ft True air temperature +30 °F From the conditions given, the approximate density altitude is: Select one: A. 4,800 feet B. 5,200 feet C. 5,600 feet D. 9,000 feet

C. 5,600 feet

The average height of the troposphere at the equator is: Select one: A. 25,000 feet B. 37,000 feet C. 20,000 feet D. 55,000 feet

D. 55,000 feet

What is standard temperature and pressure at sea level? Select one: A. 59 °F and 1013.2" Hg B. 15°F and 1013.2 mb C. 15 °C and 29.92" Hg D. 15 °C and 29.92 mb

C. 15 °C and 29.92" Hg

After a cold front has moved in, the colder air causes the air pressure to increase resulting in a slightly higher altimeter setting. Select one: a. Statement is true and no altitude corrections need be made by the pilot. b. Statement is false and no altitude corrections need be made by the pilot. c. Statement is true and altitude corrections should be made to obstacle clearance altitudes when temperature is 0° C or below. d. Altimeter setting does not change but corrections must be applied to obstacle clearance altitudes when the OAT is less than 0° C.

c. Statement is true and altitude corrections should be made to obstacle clearance altitudes when temperature is 0° C or below.

Lines joining areas of equal pressure are called . . . . . and are separated by . . . . . millibars. Select one: a. isobars, 6 b. contour lines, 4 c. isobars, 4 d. contour lines, 6

c. isobars, 4

You cruise at FL 200 and notice an OAT of -35° C. The airmass has therefore an average temperature which is: Select one: a. 5° C warmer than ISA. b. 20° C colder than ISA. c. 5° C colder than ISA. d. 10° C colder than ISA.

d. 10° C colder than ISA

Which of the following statements regarding heat distribution is false? Select one: a. Land surfaces heat up faster than ocean. b. Land surfaces give off heat faster than ocean. c. During the night an ocean will stay warmer for a greater period of time than the land. d. Heating variation is fairly uniform throughout most land areas.

d. Heating variation is fairly uniform throughout most land areas.

An aircraft is flying at FL 180 on the Northern Hemisphere with a crosswind from the left. Which of the following is correct concerning its true altitude? Select one: a. Without knowing temperatures at FL 180 this question can not be answered. b. It remains constant. c. It increases. d. It decreases.

d. It decreases

During a flight over the sea at FL 135, the true altitude is 13,500'; local altimeter setting is 30.08" Hg. What information, if any, can be gained about the air mass in which the aircraft is flying? Select one: a. There is insufficient information to make any assumption. b. Its average temperature is the same as ISA. c. It is warmer than ISA. d. It is colder than ISA.

d. It is colder than ISA.

An aerodrome is 984' above sea level with an altimeter setting of 30.54" Hg at standard temperature. If the temperature dropped to 12.5 deg C, what would the station pressure most likely be? Select one: a. Impossible to determine. b. The same as altimeter setting. c. More than 30.54" Hg. d. Less than 30.54" Hg.

d. Less than 30.54" Hg.

You are flying in the Alps at the same level as the summits on a hot day. What does the altimeter read? Select one: a. Impossible to tell. b. Higher altitude than the summit. c. Same altitude than the summit. d. Lower altitude than the summit.

d. Lower altitude than the summit.

Convective activity over land in mid-latitudes is greatest in: Select one: a. Summer during the night and early morning. b. Winter in the afternoon. c. Winter during the night and early morning. d. Summer in the afternoon.

d. Summer in the afternoon.