Thunderstorms Flashcards
What do roll and wall clouds indicate?
The presence of low level wind shear and extreme turbulence
A ______ forms on the surface at the leading edge of an advancing thunderstorm.
Gust front
Microbursts are an intense, highly localized downward atmospheric flow with velocities of ______ to over ______ feet per minute.
2000; 6000
What methods can be used to detect a microburst?
a. Visual cues
b. Wind shear alert systems
c. Pilot Weather Reports (PIREPs)
d. Departure/Arrival weather reports
Why do you want to fly over the top, at least 1000 feet per knots of wind speed at cloud top level, to avoid a thunderstorm?
Because it allows an altitude margin for turbulence and hail.
Why do you want to penetrate the lower 1⁄3 of a thunderstorm?
Because most storms are most severe in top 2/3 of a cell.
What combination of atmospheric conditions is necessary for the formation of a thunderstorm?
a. Moisture
b. Unstable air
c. Lifting action
What effects can turbulence have on an aircraft?
a. Changes in altitude
b. Structural damage
c. Extra stress on the airframe
d. Effect depends on severity of turbulence and speed of aircraft
What hazards are associated with lightning?
a. Static charge builds up in the aircraft
b. Can strike aircraft flying in the clear
c. Structural damage
d. Catastrophic fuel ignition
e. Pilots can experience flash blindness
If a thunderstorm is approaching do not ______ or ______.
Takeoff; land
Why do you want to penetrate a thunderstorm perpendicular?
To minimize time in the storm
What hazards to flight are associated with thunderstorms?
a. Hail
b. Turbulence
c. Lightning
