JH MET REVISION Flashcards
What are the ISA values for the following?
- Temperature at MSL
- Temperature lapse rate
- Pressure at MSL
- Pressure lapse rate
- Air density
- MSL Temp = 15 degrees C
- Temp lapse rate = decrease of 2 degrees C per 1000ft
- Px at MSL = 1013.25 hpa
- px lapse rate = decrease 1 hpa per 30ft
- Air density = 1.225 kg per m3
What 4 factors affect air density?
Gravity
Air pressure
Temperature
Humidity
GATH
A reduction of air density affects helicopters in 4 important ways, what are they?
- power available reduces
- power required increases
- handling deterioates
- stability is reduced
When calculating DA using the formula; DA=PA +/- (120t), what does t represent?
T= difference in temperature between the ISA for that pressure altitude and the outside air temperature
How does pressure gradient force cause air to move?
Causes air to move along the ground from high px regions to low px regions.
It dictates wind speed
What are the 2 main causes of turbulence in the lower part of the atmosphere?
Strong winds affected by friction and obstructions to the airflow (buildings, trees etc) (MECHANICAL TURBULENCE)
Heating of the air at the surface causes convection currents. The updraught in cells is marked by CU clouds
What are the winds called that flow UP and DOWN slopes in moutainous areas?
Up = anabatic Down = katabatic
If moist air flows up and over a mountain range, forms clouds and deposits rain, how will its characteristics differ on the downward(lee) side?
The resulting air and wind is drier and warmer
What is the fohn effect
The term used to describe the increase in temperature and decrease in humidity that follows a moist air mass having moved over a mountain range
- Air is forced upwards and cools at the DALR (3 degrees/1000ft)
- Moist air is cooled at the SALR (1.5 degrees/1000ft) as it rises
- Moisture condenses, forms clouds, produces rain, removes moisture from airflow
- Descending air is initially still saturated and warms at SALR
- Below cloudbase air warms at DALR
What lapse rates are assumed when considering air involved in the fohn effect
SALR - saturated adiabatic lapse rate (1.5 degree / 1000ft)
DALR - dry adiabatic lapse rate (3 degrees / 1000ft)
What is meant by orographic uplift?
Orogrpahic lift occurs when an air mass is forced from a low elevation to a higher elevation as it moves over rising terrain
What is a trigger action in connection with thunderstorms
Its is one if the conditions that will set off a thunderstorm.
4 types
- convection - surface air heated, becomes less dense and rises
- orographic uplift - unstable, moist air forced aloft by upslope of terrain
- convergance - winds come together forcing air to concentrate and move upward
- mass ascent - cold air mass drives warm air mass upwards
What does nimbo in a cloud name mean?
Rain. Nimbo is latin for rain
Which 4 main types of cloud occur in the helo enviroment?
- Stratus
- Cumulus
- Stratocumulus
- Cumulonimbus
What 4 actions trigger thunderstorms
Convection - surface air heated, becomes less dense and rises
Orographic uplift- unstable moist air forced aloft by upslop terrain
Convergance- winds come together forcing air to concentrate and move upward
Mass ascent- cold air mass drives warm air mass upward
What is an occlusion
A combined warm and cold air mass front
What does WHISTLE stand for in relation to thunderstorms
Weather Hail Icing Squall line Turbulence Lightening Electricity
What are the 4 types of airframe ice formation
Hoar frost
Rime ice
Clear ice
Mixed ice
In what temperature range is severe airframe icing most likely to occur
0 to -20
What are the early indications of rotor blade ice accretion that the pilot will experience?
Rise in Trq to maintain rotor rpm as pwr required to over come increase in rotor drag and increased wgt.
Vibrations in the aircraft
What are supercooled water droplets?
Droplets that have remained liquid although they are below freezing
Which type of icing has white opaque appearance with frost like surface
Rime ice