Weather Effects & Flight Planning Flashcards
7 cards from real FAA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Weather Effects & Flight Planning flashcards as text
A drone pilot is flying near a large body of water on a sunny afternoon. What local wind effect should they anticipate?
Answer: A sea breeze flowing from water toward land
On sunny afternoons, land heats faster than water, causing rising air over land that draws in a sea breeze (cool air flowing from water to land).
What is 'mountain wave turbulence' and how far downwind can it affect drone operations?
Answer: Turbulence created by wind flowing over mountains, potentially extending 100+ miles downwind
Mountain wave turbulence is created when wind flows over ridges and can extend hundreds of miles downwind, affecting drone operations far from any mountains.
Which cloud type is most associated with thunderstorm activity and should cause a drone pilot to land immediately?
Answer: Cumulonimbus
Cumulonimbus clouds are the thunderstorm cloud type and produce lightning, severe turbulence, hail, and heavy rain — all immediately dangerous to drone operations.
What effect does high altitude (density altitude) have on drone performance?
Answer: Reduced air density decreases rotor efficiency and may shorten flight time
At high density altitudes, thinner air reduces rotor efficiency, requiring motors to work harder and consuming more battery power to maintain lift.
A pilot observes towering cumulus clouds forming nearby during a flight. What action is most appropriate?
Answer: Land immediately as towering cumulus indicate potential thunderstorm development
Towering cumulus clouds indicate rapidly developing convective activity that can quickly become thunderstorms with lightning and severe turbulence, requiring immediate landing.
What does 'AIRMET Sierra' (AIRMET S) specifically warn pilots about?
Answer: IFR conditions and/or mountain obscuration
AIRMET Sierra warns of IFR conditions (ceiling below 1,000 feet and/or visibility below 3 miles) and mountain obscuration affecting light aircraft.
When is a drone pilot most at risk from 'whiteout' conditions?
Answer: Flying over snow-covered terrain with overcast skies that eliminate depth perception
Whiteout occurs over snow-covered terrain when overcast skies scatter light uniformly, eliminating shadows and depth perception, making terrain extremely difficult to judge.