Met Lesson 1 Flashcards

1
Q

Composition of the Atmosphere

A
Nitrogen = 78%
Oxygen = 21%
CO2 = 0.03%
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2
Q

Gravity Associated with Pressure

A

There is a higher pressure closer to the Earth’s surface

There is the highest amount of water vapour closest to the Earth’s surface

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3
Q

Layers of the Atmosphere

A
Troposphere
Tropopause
Stratosphere
Mesosphere
Thermosphere
Exosphere
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4
Q

Troposphere

A

Almost all of the weather occurs in the troposphere

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5
Q

Tropopause

A

Top of the troposphere
30,000ft at the poles and 60,000ft at the Equator
Convection weakens

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6
Q

Stratosphere

A

Isothermal layer

-56.5 degrees celcius

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7
Q

Stevenson Screen

A

Measures temperature and dew point

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8
Q

International standard atmosphere (ISA) at MSL

A

Temperature: +15 degrees celcius with a lapse rate of -1.98 degrees celcius/1000ft to 36 090ft
Pressure: 1013.25hPa/29.92 inch Hg with a lapse rate of - 1hPa/30ft increase in altitude
Density: 1.225kg/m³

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9
Q

Horizontal Pressure Gradient

A

Areas of unequal pressures attempt to equal out

Air will flow from a high to a low

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10
Q

Affects of Volume on Density

A

If volume decreases: pressure, temperature and density increase
If volume increases: pressure, temperature and density decrease

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11
Q

Heat in the Atmosphere

A

Due to electro-magnetic radiation

Air is warmest closer to the Earths surface

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12
Q

Types of Electro-Magnetic Radiation

A

Short wave solar radiation from the sun

Long wave terrestrial radiation from the heated Earth

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13
Q

Types of Heat Transfer

A

Radiation (eg. sun or our bodies)
Conduction (eg. pan on a hotplate)
Convection (rising air)
Advection (eg. sea breeze)

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14
Q

Factors Affecting Atmospheric Temperature

A
Diurnal temperature variations
The seasons
Specific heat capacity
Reflection
Clouds
Wind
Costal proximity
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15
Q

Diurnal Temperature Variations

A

3pm is the warmest time of the day
Just after sunrise is the coldest part of the day
Solar radiation only occurs during daylight hours
Biggest amplitude at in-land stations

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16
Q

The Seasons

A

The Earth revolves around the sun in 1 year

The tilt of the Earth gives rise to the 4 seasons

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17
Q

Equinox

A

Equal amounts night and day

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18
Q

Specific Heat Capacity

A

SHC of water is 1 calorie/gram
SHC of air is 0.3 cal/g
Takes 3x more energy to heat water than dry air

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19
Q

Reflection

A
Fresh snow reflects 90% of heat energy
Old snow reflects 60% of heat energy
Sand reflects 20-30% of heat energy
Ground (soil) reflects 15% of heat energy
Forest reflects 5-10% of heat energy
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20
Q

Effect of Cloud

A

Overcast days are cooler
Overcast nights are warmer (blanketing effect)
Cloudless nights are relatively cooler due to maximum terrestrial radiation

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21
Q

Effect of Wind

A

Mixing of different air masses moderates the overall temperature

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22
Q

Effect of Costal Proximity

A

The cool sea breeze will cool a hot summers day on the coast

The warm sea breeze will warm a cool day

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23
Q

Large Scale Atmospheric Circulation

A
Polar high
Sub polar low
Sub tropical high
Equatorial trough/low
Sub tropical high
Sub polar low
Polar high
24
Q

Low Pressure Areas

A

Areas of convection

Eg. Mainly at the equator

25
Q

High Pressure Areas

A

Areas of subsidence

26
Q

Equatorial/Monsoonal Trough Weather

A

Complex low pressure systems

27
Q

Sub-Tropical Ridge Weather

A

High pressure systems

28
Q

Sub-Polar Low/Polar Front Weather

A

Complex and intense low pressure systems

29
Q

Sublimation

A

Solid to vapour

30
Q

Deposition

A

Vapour to solid

31
Q

Latent Heat and Temperature

A

Latent heat needs to go in when melting and out whilst freezing

32
Q

Water Vapour

A

Moisture in the air

33
Q

Humidity

A

The amount of water vapour in the atmosphere

Becomes a liquid when it condensates to form visible moisture

34
Q

Effect of Humidity on Air Density

A

Water vapour is less dense than air (5/8 the weight of dry air)
Therefore, humidity will reduce air density and the performance of the aircraft

35
Q

Relative Humidity

A

The ability of the air to hold moisture
The amount of water vapour present in relation to the maximum amount of water the air can hold at a certain temperature
%RH = (actual water vapour)/(max water vapour it can hold) x 100

36
Q

Saturation

A

100% relative humidity
Dew point
Visible moisture forms (cloud formation)

37
Q

The Affects of Temperature on Relative Humidity

A

Cooler air holds less water vapour than warm air

The relative humidity increases when air cools

38
Q

Temperature Inversions

A

When temperature increases with an increase in height
Colder air underneath the warmer air
Indicates a stable atmosphere

39
Q

Types of Temperature Inversions

A

Radiation
Subsidence
Frontal

40
Q

Radiation Inversions

A

Lower layers are cooled by the cool ground, which cools rapidly overnight
Maximum terrestrial radiation occurs due to the clear nights
Unlikely on cloudy or windy nights

41
Q

Subsidence Inversions

A

Associated with high pressure systems
Cold air subsides and warms rapidly adiabatically (high pressure and high temperatures)
Air at the surface diverges, moving horizontally, and is not heated adiabatically
4,000 - 8,000ft AGL
Warm air above with colder air near the surface

42
Q

Frontal Inversions

A

Cold dense air forces the warm air upwards

43
Q

Effects of Inversions

A

Turbulence
Pollution/dust/salt may be trapped under the inversion layer resulting in reduced visibility
Reduced aircraft performance after take-off whilst passing through the warmer section

44
Q

Turbulence

A

Causes the aircraft to roll, yaw and pitch simultaneously

45
Q

Thermal Turbulence

A

Due to solar radiation, frontal activity and inversions
Temperature differences in the air masses cause thermals, thunderstorm activity, frontal lines and horizontal wind shear
May also display as a large temp vs dew point split (hot and dry conditions)

46
Q

Mechanical and Frictional Turbulence

A

Friction over the ground surface due to strong winds
Up to 3,000ft AGL
Depends upon wind speed and type of obstruction
Beware of vortices around mountainous terrain and downwind of obstructions

47
Q

Wake Turbulence

A

Generated by air moving from a high pressure (below wing) to a lower pressure (above the wing)
Rotate inwards towards the fuselage
Drops at 500fpm and linger 1000ft below the aircrafts flight track

48
Q

Pilot Actions to Avoid Wake Turbulence

A

Climb and descend more steeply
Touchdown after the point of the larger aircraft
Takeoff before the takeoff point of the larger aircraft

49
Q

Parallel Runway Operations

A

With a light crosswind, aircraft may be affected by the wake turbulence of other aircraft on adjacent runways

50
Q

Turbulence Classifications

A

Light: small effect on altitude and attitude of aircraft
Moderate: significant effect on altitude and attitude and a variation in IAS
Severe: large abrupt changes in attitude and altitude and short periods of uncontrollability
Extreme: practically impossible to control with possible structural damage

51
Q

Pilot Actions in Turbulence

A

Consider changing altitude of flight level
Change airspeed, if required, to the manufacturer’s recommended ‘best turbulence speed’ (VB)
Maintain aircraft attitude only (request clearance to fluctuate on altitude)
Divert if necessary

52
Q

Windshear

A

A sudden change in wind speed and/or direction over a short distance resulting in a speed variation larger than 10kts
Can be vertical or horizontal

53
Q

Low Level Windshear

A

Below 1, 600ft AGL

54
Q

Overshoot Effect Due to Windshear

A

Aircraft flying above the intended flight path
The pilot lowers the nose of the aircraft to maintain the glide path
The airspeed begins to increase
Compensate by reducing the power setting

55
Q

Undershoot Effect Due to Windshear

A

Aircraft flying below the intended flight path
The pilot raises the nose to maintain the glide path
The airspeed begins to decrease
Compensate by increasing the power setting

56
Q

Pilot Actions in Windshear

A
Accurate airspeed control
Increase the approach speed to increase control
Consider a 'reduced flap' landing
Use Vb or Va
Find the shortest way out