CFC Meteorological Briefing & Interpretation 4

Question 1

Which type of structural ice is considered most dangerous to aircraft because it forms a hard, clear coating that is difficult to detect?

Accepted Answer

Clear (glaze) ice

Answer

Clear (glaze) ice forms from large supercooled water droplets that spread before freezing, creating a smooth, transparent, and aerodynamically disruptive layer.

Question 2

Low-level wind shear (LLWS) is most hazardous during which phase of flight?

Accepted Answer

Takeoff and landing below 2,000 ft AGL

Answer

LLWS poses the greatest risk during takeoff and landing when aircraft are at low altitude with limited energy to recover from sudden lift changes.

Question 3

Which atmospheric condition is most associated with moderate-to-severe clear air turbulence (CAT)?

Accepted Answer

Strong jet stream with significant wind shear at flight level

Answer

CAT occurs most frequently near jet streams where strong vertical wind shear exists at high altitudes.

Question 4

A flight communicator receives a PIREP indicating 'LLWS -10KT 200FT FINAL RWY 28L'. This means the aircraft experienced:

Accepted Answer

A 10-knot airspeed loss due to wind shear at 200 ft on the final approach

Answer

A negative LLWS value indicates an airspeed decrease (headwind loss or tailwind gain) — a critical hazard on final approach.

Question 5

Structural icing is most likely to occur at temperatures between:

Accepted Answer

0°C and -20°C

Answer

Supercooled liquid water droplets, needed for structural ice, exist most prevalently between 0°C and -20°C.

(CFC) Certified Flight Communicator Practice Test

(CFC) Certified Flight Communicator Practice Test

CFC Meteorological Briefing & Interpretation 4