Airline Feedback Flashcards
Why are T-Tails and Propellers prone to icing?
They have a smaller surface since they are thin aerofoils
How does the weather radar work?
Primary radar source emits pulsed signals in the SHF band.
Doppler technique detects water molecules in the atmosphere.
The size and type of the molecule detected determines the type of return.
Antennas receive the return and this is displayed to the pilots on a colour coded overlay.
Describe the formation of a cumulonimbus cloud
Warm moist air is suddenly lifted and continues rising as it remains hotter than ambient conditions.
This gives rise to tall cloud formations containing large up and downdrafts, containing often super cooled water droplets and leads to severe weather.
They will top out at the tropopause
What is the tropopause
The atmospheric boundary between the troposphere, where all weather is determined to occur, and the stratosphere.
What is a microburst?
A small, very intense downdraft that descends into the ground resulting in a very strong wind divergence.
Typically 4km across.
Can exceed wind speeds of 100kts, equivalent of 10000fpm.
Describe the three type of fog:
Advection fog - produced when damp air moves across a surface that is cooler than the air. Commonly seen on coastal areas/rivers.
Radiation fog usually occurs in the winter, aided by clear skies and calm conditions. The cooling of land overnight by thermal radiation cools the air close to the surface. This reduces the ability of the air to hold moisture, allowing condensation and fog to occur. Usually dissipates soon after sunrise as the ground warms. An exception to this can be in high elevation areas where the Sun has little influence in heating the surface.
