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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
High Pressure Areas
Areas of subsidence
26
Equatorial/Monsoonal Trough Weather
Complex low pressure systems
27
Sub-Tropical Ridge Weather
High pressure systems
28
Sub-Polar Low/Polar Front Weather
Complex and intense low pressure systems
29
Sublimation
Solid to vapour
30
Deposition
Vapour to solid
31
Latent Heat and Temperature
Latent heat needs to go in when melting and out whilst freezing
32
Water Vapour
Moisture in the air
33
Humidity
The amount of water vapour in the atmosphere | Becomes a liquid when it condensates to form visible moisture
34
Effect of Humidity on Air Density
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
Relative Humidity
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
Saturation
100% relative humidity Dew point Visible moisture forms (cloud formation)
37
The Affects of Temperature on Relative Humidity
Cooler air holds less water vapour than warm air | The relative humidity increases when air cools
38
Temperature Inversions
When temperature increases with an increase in height Colder air underneath the warmer air Indicates a stable atmosphere
39
Types of Temperature Inversions
Radiation Subsidence Frontal
40
Radiation Inversions
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
Subsidence Inversions
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
Frontal Inversions
Cold dense air forces the warm air upwards
43
Effects of Inversions
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
Turbulence
Causes the aircraft to roll, yaw and pitch simultaneously
45
Thermal Turbulence
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
Mechanical and Frictional Turbulence
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
Wake Turbulence
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
Pilot Actions to Avoid Wake Turbulence
Climb and descend more steeply Touchdown after the point of the larger aircraft Takeoff before the takeoff point of the larger aircraft
49
Parallel Runway Operations
With a light crosswind, aircraft may be affected by the wake turbulence of other aircraft on adjacent runways
50
Turbulence Classifications
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
Pilot Actions in Turbulence
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
Windshear
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
Low Level Windshear
Below 1, 600ft AGL
54
Overshoot Effect Due to Windshear
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
Undershoot Effect Due to Windshear
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
Pilot Actions in Windshear
``` Accurate airspeed control Increase the approach speed to increase control Consider a 'reduced flap' landing Use Vb or Va Find the shortest way out ```

CPL Met (4 decks)

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