Aviation Weather Information Flashcards
7 cards from real SPC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Aviation Weather Information flashcards as text
What does a SIGMET (WS) warn pilots about?
Answer: Severe or extreme turbulence, severe icing, or widespread dust/sandstorms
SIGMETs are issued for hazardous weather significant to all aircraft, including severe turbulence, severe icing, and widespread dust or sandstorms lowering visibility below 3 miles.
Which weather product provides a pilot with the forecasted position of fronts, pressure centers, and precipitation for a 12 to 24 hour period?
Answer: Prog chart (Prognostic chart)
Prognostic (prog) charts depict forecast surface weather including fronts, pressure systems, and precipitation areas at 12- and 24-hour intervals.
An Airport/Facility Directory (Chart Supplement) lists a rotating beacon operating during daylight hours. This indicates the airport is located in an area of:
Answer: Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC)
A rotating airport beacon operating during daylight hours indicates that the airport is in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) — ceiling below 1,000 feet and/or visibility below 3 miles.
What is the standard temperature lapse rate in the International Standard Atmosphere (ISA) below 36,000 feet?
Answer: 2°C per 1,000 feet
The ISA standard lapse rate is approximately 2°C (3.5°F) per 1,000 feet of altitude gain in the troposphere.
Virga is best described as:
Answer: Precipitation that evaporates before reaching the ground
Virga is streaks or wisps of precipitation falling from clouds that evaporate in the dry air below before reaching the ground, and can be associated with strong downdrafts.
What is the primary hazard associated with flying through an area of virga?
Answer: Unexpected strong downdrafts and microburst-like wind shear
Virga is associated with strong downdrafts and potential microburst wind shear because the evaporating precipitation cools and accelerates the descending air column.
A Convective SIGMET (WST) is issued for which of the following conditions?
Answer: Severe or extreme turbulence, or a line of thunderstorms at least 60 miles long
Convective SIGMETs are issued for severe or embedded thunderstorms, tornadoes, hail ≥3/4 inch, or a line of thunderstorms at least 60 NM long with thunderstorms affecting at least 40% of its length.