JX Flashcards
1
Q
What is the temperature/altimeter error?
A
11°C / 4% Alt Error
2
Q
What contains altitude corrections for extreme cold (<0 °C)?
A
Flight Information Handbook
3
Q
What is Indicated Altitude?
A
The altitude as read on the altimeter
4
Q
What is Absolute Altitude?
A
Aircraft altitude above the ground (AGL)
You ABSOLUTELY cannot go lower
5
Q
What is True Altitude?
A
The altitude referenced to mean sea level (MSL)
6
Q
What is Pressure Altitude?
A
The altitude above the standard datum plane
29.92 inHg
7
Q
What is Density Altitude?
A
Pressure altitude corrected for non-standard temperature.
Not a height reference, just a performance indicator.
8
Q
With a pressure change of 1.0 inHg, how many feet will the altimeter change?
A
1000 feet
Also reffered to as the standard pressure lapse rate (1.0inHG/1000ft)
9
Q
What is the compostion of pure dry air?
A
78% Nitrogen
21% Oxygen
1% Other (mixture of 10 gases)
10
Q
How much of the atmosphere is composed of water vapor?
A
0 - 5% by volume
11
Q
What is the height of the troposhere?
A
28,000 (poles) - 55000 (equator)
36000 (over the states)
12
Q
Where does nearly all weather occur?
A
The Troposphere, because its where the most moisture occurs
13
Q
What marks the boundary called the tropopause?
A
When there is an abrupt change in the temperature lapse rate.
when temp stops decreasing with alt and remains constant
14
Q
What is the tropopause?
A
A transition zone between the tropospere and the stratosphere
15
Q
Where does the jet stream occur?
A
Just below the tropopause. A haze layer with a definite top can be seen visually at this layer.
Expect moderate to severe turbulence in the jet stream
16
Q
Where do contrails form and persist?
A
The tropopause
because its the coldest area in the lower atmosphere.
17
Q
What characterizes the stratosphere?
A
the point above the tropopause in which temperature starts to increase (inversion) to 66000 feet
18
Q
What is the standard temperature lapse rate?
A
2 °C/1000 feet
decrease in temp with increase in alt
19
Q
What is an isothermal lapse rate?
A
When temp remains constant with increasing altitude
20
Q
What is an inverted lapse rate?
A
When temp increases with altitude
21
Q
What is standard pressure?
A
29.92 inHg (1013.2mb)
22
Q
What is standard temperature?
A
15 °C (59 °F)
23
Q
What is standard temperature?
A
15 °C (59 °F)
24
Q
What interval are millibars drawn at on the surface analysis chart?
A
4 mb
25
What are the average jet stream wind speeds?
100-150 knots; sometimes in excess of 250 knots
26
Which sources reference wind data in TRUE north
Charts and Reports
27
Which sources reference wind data in MAGNETIC north?
ATIS, Tower, or RSU
28
Which direction do winds move around a high pressure area?
Clockwise
29
Which direction do winds move around a low presssure area?
Counter-clockwise
30
How do winds move in relation to isobars above 2000 feet?
Parallel
| Due to the coriolis effect (called gradient winds)
31
What is the rate of change in a direction perpendicular to the isobars?
Pressure Gradient
32
What does isobar spacing represent?
Pressure Gradient Force (PGF)
| PGF acts perpendicular to the isobars
33
What does isobar spacing represent?
Pressure Gradient Force (PGF)
| PGF acts perpendicular to the isobars
34
What is the initiating force for all wind?
Pressure Gradient Force (PGF)
34
Which directions do winds generated by PGF flow at the surface in relation to the isobars?
Perpendicular
35
Which direction does coriolis move air with regards to its original motion?
Right. Regardless of a High or Low
| *northern hemisphere only
36
What are gradient winds?
The combined effect of PGF and Coriolis Effect
37
Pressure Gradient Force Circulation
Perpendicular to Isobars
Into Low Pressure
Out of High Pressure
38
Gradient Wind Circulation Above 2000 AGL
Parallel to Isobars
CCW around Lows
CW around Highs
39
Surface Wind Circulation Below 2000 AGL
Crossing Isobars at 45°
CCW around and into lows
CW around and out of highs
| *created by the balance of friction, reduced coriolis effect, and PGF
40
Describe the Jet Stream
Narrow band of winds moving at 50 knots or greater
Average height = 30000 MSL
1K-3K miles long
100-400 miles wide
3K-7K feet deep
Flows from WEST to EAST
41
What are local winds?
Systems of wind associated with a geographic feature (mountain, body of water etc.)
42
What is dewpoint?
The temperature at which saturation occurs
| when mositure becomes visible in air (clouds, fog, precip etc.)
43
What is Relative Humidity?
The percent of saturation in the air as compared to the maximum it could hold at a given temp
44
What are the three characteristics of precipitation?
1. Showers (cumulus, starts stops rapidly)
2. Continuous (stratus, gradual changes/steady)
3. Intermittent (cumulus/stratus, stops and starts at least once during the hour)
45
Forms of precip
Drizzle, Rain, Freezing
46
Low Clouds
Surface to 6500 AGL
47
MIddle Clouds
6500 - 20000 AGL
48
High Clouds
20000 to 40000 AGL
| Primarily ice crystals (not an icing hazard)
49
What makes a cumulonimbus cloud a severe thunderstorm?
When the clous extends past the tropopause
50
4 methods by which air masses are lifted
1. Convergence
2. Frontal Lifting
3. Orographic Lifting
4. Thermal Lifting
51
Stable Atmosphere
| Warm Air Masses
Stratus
Smooth Air
Poor Visibility
Steady Winds/Precip
Rime Icing
52
Unstable Atmosphere
| Cold Air Masses
Cumulus
Rough Air
Good Visibility
Gusty Winds
Showery Precip
Clear Icing
53
What is an air mass?
A large body of air with uniform TEMP and MOISTURE
54
How are air masses named?
Moisture content, location, and temperature
| they can be hundreds to thousand of sq miles
55
What is a front?
A boundary between two air masses.
56
What is a surface front?
The point where a front comes ion conact with the ground
57
What is a frontal zone?
The area that encompasses the weather on eithe side of the front
58
How are fronts named?
According to the temperature change after passage
| Temp warmer? Warm front
59
Three Characteristics of Fronts
1. Always located in a trough
2. Cold fronts move faster than warm
3. Passage = 90° shift in winds
60
What properties are used to classify fronts?
Temperature, Dew Point, Pressure, and Wind
61
Squall Lines
50-300 mi AHEAD of cold front/roughly parallel
62
How do winds shift during a COLD front passage?
90° SW to NW
63
How do winds shift during a WARM front passage?
90° SE to SW
64
How far ahead will a warm front affect the weather?
| Cloudiness, Steady precip, reduced vis (Stable)
From its surface position to about 500-700 miles ahead
65
What is the wind shift associated with a stationary front?
180° (parallel to btoh fronts on either side)
66
What is an occluded front?
When a faster moving cold front overtakes a warm front
67
What determines whether an occluded front is warm or cold?
Whichever front remains in contact with the ground.
68
What is the wind shift associated with and occluded front?
180°
69
Where is the most severe weather associated with an occluded front located?
100 miles south to 300 miles north of the frontal intersection
70
What weather conditions are associted with a stationary front?
Less intense warm from conditons that persist for a few days till another front moves it out.
71
What weather conditions are associated with an occluded front?
a combination of a warm and cold fronts
72
What is a dry line?
| AKA Dew Point Line
the boundary between moist and dry air masses
73
What weather is associated with a dry line?
Rapidly forming thunderstorms
74
4 Turbulence Intensities
1. Light
2. Moderate
3. Severe
4. Extreme
75
3 Durations of Turbulence
1. Occasional (Less that 1/3)
2. Intermittent (1/3-2/3)
3. Continuous (More than 2/3)
76
Turbulence Classifcations
1. Thermal
2. Mechanical
3. Frontal
4. Wind Shear
77
Clear Air Turbulence
A type a wind shear turbulence associated with the jet stream. Occurs from 23000-39000 feet
| Lenticular and rotor clouds indicate CAT
78
Mountain Wave Turbulence
type of mechanical turbulence. 150 miles from mountains. Up/Downdrafts 5000 fpm
79
What clouds denote mountain wave turbulence?
Cap Clouds
Cirrocumulus Standing Lenticular
Altocumulus Standing Lenticular
Rotor Clouds
80
Mountain Wave Turbulence Avoidance
Circumnavigate if possible
Fly 50% higher than the mountain peak
Avoid rotor, cap, and lenticular clouds
Approach range at 45° angle
Avoid downdrafts on the leeward side
81
Which fronts are more commonly associated with turbulence?
Cold Fronts (particularly fast moving ones)
| warm associated to a lesser degree
82
What is wind shear?
The change in wind direction/speed over a short horizontal/vertical distance
83
What is the RECOMMENDED Turbulent Air Penetration Speed
180 KIAS
84
Turblent Air Penetration Speed (Vg)
195 KIAS
85
What are the two classifications of icing?
Structural and Engine (Induction) Icing
86
Clear Icing
0 to -10°C
Lumpy/translucent/clear/smooth
Forms horns or other complex shapes
Found in Cumulus/Unstable conds
87
Rime Icing
-10°C to -20°C
Milky/rough/opaque
Forms conformal/wedge shaped accretions
Found in stratiform/stable conds
88
MIxed Icing
-15°C to -20°C
89
4 Levels of Icing
Trace
Light
Moderate
Severe
90
Three types of Icing
Clear
Rime
Mixed
91
Trace Icing
When ice becomes perceptible
92
Light Icing Accumulation
1/4 inch in 15-60 mins
93
Moderate Icing Accumulation
1/4 inch in 5-15 mins
94
Severe Icing Accumulation
1/4 inch in less than 5 mins
95
Frontal Icing Warm Front
3000 feet thick
100-200 miles ahead
| Particularly noticeable in fast moving warm fronts
96
Frontal Icing Cold Front
100 miles to the rear of cold front
Usually spotty and light
97
Structural Icing Aerodynamic Effects
| 2 min exposure
Double Drag
Reduce lift 25-30%
Reduce critical AOA 8°
Higher Stall Speed
98
What are the greatest hazards of engine icing?
Reduced airflow and engine FOD
99
Prevailing Visibility
Total visibility over half the horizon circle or greater
100
What is required for fog to form?
condensation nuclei
low temp/DP spread (5°F/3°C)
light surface winds (less than 10 knots)
101
Slant-Range Visibility
Visibility from cockpit to the ground (view down the approach path)
| Indicates break out
102
Runway Visual Range
Max Vis down the centerline at a given height.
| Reported in feet or meters
103
Obscured Visibilty
Something is blocking your view of the sky AND clouds
| reported as vertical vis if entire sky obscured
104
FEW
| Cloud Coverage
0 to 1/4
105
SCT
| Cloud Coverage
3/8 to 1/2
106
BKN
| Cloud Coverage
5/8 to 7/8
107
OVC
| Cloud Coverage
8/8 (fully covered)
108
Are ceilings reported in AGL or MSL?
AGL
109
What is a ceiling?
The first BKN or OVC layer
110
Radiation Fog
cause by cooling of the earths surface.
Develops only at night/over land
111
Advection Fog
generated by fog in motion.
occurs along coastlines
can last for days
112
Upslope Fog
occurs due to adiabatic cooling of rising air
113
Frontal Fog
Occurs in conjunction with the frontal surface in the colder mass
114
Freezing Fog
Occurs when temp below freezing
| May produce icing if dense enough
115
Ice Fog
Occurs @ -30°C (22°F)
| Too cold for icing to occur on acft surfaces
116
What atmospheric conditions are required to make a Thunderstorm?
Moisture
Unstable Air
Lifting Actions
117
What is a Gust Front?
line of dangerously gusty winds created on the leading edge of an advancing thunderstorm.
| AKA Outflow Boundary
118
What are the effects of Turbulence?
changes in altitude
structural damage
extra stress on the airframe
119
What is a Roll Cloud?
relatively rare, low-level horizontal, tube-shaped cloud completely detached from the cumulonimbus base
120
What is a Wall Cloud?
local, often abrupt lowering from a cumulonimbus cloud base, normally a kilometer or more in diameter. Good indicator of tornados
121
Which clouds indicate Low Level Wind Shear?
| With Extreme Turbulence
Roll clouds and Wall clouds
122
What are the hazards of lightning?
Can strike aircraft flying in the clear
Structural damage is possible
Catastrophic fuel ignition possible
Pilot flash blindness
123
Tornado Windspeeds and Size
Couple hundred yards to 1.5 miles
300 mph vortex
30-40 mph forward motion
124
Lightning strikes commonly occur on aircraft within XXXX feet of the freezing level?
5000
125
The strength of radar echoes has a direct relationship with
Presence of aircraft icing
Intensity of turbulence
126
What does scale indicate on NEXRAD?
Intensity
127
What does the height of CB cloud tops indicate
| NEXRAD
Severity
128
Thunderstorm Penetration Procedures
Penetrate perpendicular to minimize time in storm.
Penetrate the storm below the freezing level or above the -15° C level. Minimum altitude 4000 to 6000 feet AGL above the highest terrain.
129
Altitude Overflying a Thunderstorm
1000 feet per 10 knots of wind at the cloud tops
130
Microburst Characteristics
2-5 minute duration
6000 fpm downdrafts
150 mph wind speeds
less than 2.5 mi diameter
131
Microburst Development is generally associated with what months of the year?
Warmer
132
METAR Issuance
Hourly, 55-59 past the hour
133
Two types of routine weather reports
METAR and SPECI
134
What is a SPECI?
special, unscheduled observation containing all the data elements found in a METAR whenever critical data have changed from the previous observation.
135
Two Sections that make up a METAR
Body and Remarks
136
Pub that contains METAR Abbreviations
AFMAN 15-111 Chap 10
137
PO
| METAR
Well Developed Dust Swirls
| Other
138
MI
| METAR
Shallow
| Descriptor
139
BC
| METAR
Patches
| Descriptor
140
DR
| METAR
Low Drifting
| Descriptor
141
DZ
| METAR
Drizzle
| Precip
142
GS
| METAR
Snow Pellets
| Precip
143
SG
| METAR
Snow Grains
| Precip
144
FU
| METAR
Smoke
| Obcuration
145
GR
| METAR
Hail
| Precip
146
CIG
| METAR
Ceiling
147
Whats is a TAF?
an airport forecast for a specific period (usually 30 hours, but in some cases could be 24 hours).
| used for VFR/IFR plannning reqs
148
Severe Weather Watch is define by:
Frequent lightning
50 mph winds
3/4 in hail
149
When do air traffic facilities solicit PIREPS?
ceiling below 5000
visibility less than 5 mi
150
Surface Analysis Charts
Depict pressure centers, fronts, and precipitation lines.
Past snapshit, not a forecast.
151
Prog Charts
152
What is the unit used to measure radar returns?
Decibels (db)
| returns indicate intensity
153
Winds aloft Prog Charts
Present observed and average forecast winds for diff flight levels
154
Weather Watch Bulletins
WW in heading
issued for Severe TStorms, Nados, and Funnel clouds
155
Sever Weather Forecast Alert
AWW
Lets ussrs know a WW will be issued
156
SIGMET Valid Time
up to 4 hours
157
DD 175-1
Weather briefing
158
9900
| Winds Aloft
Light and variable winds aloft
159
9999
| TAF
Visibilty greater than 7SM
160
Icing Group Prefix Number
| TAF
6
161
When is VRB used fro wind direction?
| TAF
Under 6 knots
