AQT Aviation Weather & Meteorology — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What type of cloud formation indicates potential turbulence and thunderstorm activity?
- Cumulonimbus (CB) (Correct answer)
- Cirrus
- Stratus
- Fog
Correct answer: Cumulonimbus (CB)
Cumulonimbus clouds are towering storm clouds that can extend from near the surface to the tropopause, producing severe turbulence, icing, lightning, hail, and microbursts that are extremely hazardous to aviation.
Question 2: What is a METAR?
- A routine aviation weather observation report providing current conditions at an airport (Correct answer)
- A type of aircraft instrument
- A navigation waypoint
- A maintenance record
Correct answer: A routine aviation weather observation report providing current conditions at an airport
METAR (Meteorological Aerodrome Report) provides current weather conditions including wind, visibility, cloud cover, temperature, dewpoint, and altimeter setting, updated hourly or when conditions change significantly.
Question 3: What causes wind shear and why is it dangerous to aircraft?
- Sudden changes in wind speed/direction over a short distance, which can cause rapid loss of airspeed and altitude during critical flight phases (Correct answer)
- Only strong headwinds during cruise
- Wind blowing across the runway
- High altitude jet stream winds
Correct answer: Sudden changes in wind speed/direction over a short distance, which can cause rapid loss of airspeed and altitude during critical flight phases
Wind shear, especially microbursts, can cause rapid airspeed changes during takeoff/landing. Aircraft at low altitude and low speed have minimal margin to recover from the sudden loss of lift.
Question 4: What information does a TAF provide?
- A forecast of expected weather conditions at an airport for a specific time period, typically 24-30 hours (Correct answer)
- Current weather conditions
- Historical weather data
- Satellite imagery descriptions
Correct answer: A forecast of expected weather conditions at an airport for a specific time period, typically 24-30 hours
TAF (Terminal Aerodrome Forecast) predicts weather conditions including wind, visibility, clouds, and significant weather phenomena for a 24-30 hour period, used by pilots and dispatchers for flight planning.
Question 5: What is icing and how does it affect aircraft performance?
- Ice accumulation on aircraft surfaces that increases weight, reduces lift, increases drag, and can block control surfaces and instruments (Correct answer)
- Only affects windshield visibility
- Only occurs at temperatures above freezing
- Has no effect on jet aircraft
Correct answer: Ice accumulation on aircraft surfaces that increases weight, reduces lift, increases drag, and can block control surfaces and instruments
Structural icing forms when supercooled water droplets freeze on contact with aircraft surfaces, disrupting airflow and increasing weight. Even small amounts can significantly degrade performance and controllability.
Question 6: What does a SIGMET warn about?
- Significant meteorological hazards affecting all aircraft, including severe turbulence, icing, volcanic ash, and thunderstorms (Correct answer)
- Minor weather changes
- Routine weather patterns
- Only visual flight rule conditions
Correct answer: Significant meteorological hazards affecting all aircraft, including severe turbulence, icing, volcanic ash, and thunderstorms
SIGMETs (Significant Meteorological Information) warn of weather phenomena potentially hazardous to ALL aircraft types, including severe turbulence, severe icing, widespread dust storms, volcanic ash, and tropical cyclones.
AQT Aviation Weather & Meteorology
What type of cloud formation indicates potential turbulence and thunderstorm activity?