Unit 2. Meteorological Systems

Question 1

406. Temperature/dewpoint

1. What four parameters are associated with temperature/dewpoint?

Answer 1

1 Temperature
2 Dewpoint
3 Maximun Temperature
4 Minimum Temperature

Question 2

2. What is the degree of accuracy and scale used to measure temperature/dewpoint readings?

Answer 2

Tenth of a degree and Celcius.

Question 3

3. For stations utilizing Coordinated Universal Time, what are the standard time designations for observing maximum and minimum temperatures?

Answer 3

0000, 0600, 1200, and 1800.

Question 4

407. Wind

1. What five parameters are associated with wind?

Answer 4

(1)
(2) Speed.
Temperature.
1. (1)
(2) Dewpoint.
Direction.
(3) Gusts.
(4) Peak speed.
(5) Wind shift.

Question 5

2. Wind direction is determined by taking an average over what period of time?

Answer 5

2 minutes.

Question 6

3. What unit of measure is used to describe wind speed?

Answer 6

Knots.

Question 7

4. Describe the term “wind shift.”

Answer 7

A change in wind direction of 45 degrees or more in less than 15 minutes with sustained winds of 10 knots or more throughout the period.

Question 8

408. Visibility

1. What four parameters are associated with visibility?

Answer 8

(1) Prevailing.
(2) Sector.
(3) Surface.
(4) Tower visibilities.

Question 9

2. Describe the term “tower visibility.”

Answer 9

The prevailing visibility determined from the ATC tower at locations also reporting surface visibility.

Question 10

3. What standard must automated visibility sensors use?

Answer 10

Federal Standard Algorithms for Automated Weather Observing Systems Used for Aviation Purposes.

Question 11

409. Barometer/altimeter

1. What three parameters are associated with barometer/altimeter?

Answer 11

(1) Station Pressure.
(2) Altimeter setting.
(3) Sea-level pressure.

Question 12

2. Describe the term “altimeter setting.”

Answer 12

The pressure value to which an aircraft altimeter scale is set so that it will indicate the altitude above mean sea level of an aircraft on the ground at the location for which the value was determined.

Question 13

3. To what standard must a weather station’s barometer be traceable?

Answer 13

National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Question 14

410. Cloud height

1. Cloud height is part of what complex forecasting fundamental?

Answer 14

Sky condition.

Question 15

2. What piece of equipment is used to measure cloud height?

Answer 15

Ceilometer.

Question 16

2–2. Automated Meteorological Station, AN/FMQ–19

411. Capabilities, limitations, and theories of operation
412. What is the maximum height of clouds that can be measured by the ceilometer?

Answer 16

25,000 feet.

Question 17

2. How many barometers are utilized in the automated meteorological station, AN/FMQ–19, and where are they located?

Answer 17

Three, in the FDCU housing.

Question 18

3. What sensor provides runway visibility information?

Answer 18

The visibility sensor and the ambient light sensor.

Question 19

4. What principle does the freezing rain sensor use to detect the presence of ice?

Answer 19

The vibrating frequency of a probe decreases as ice accumulates on it.

Question 20

5. What is the maximum range at which lightning can be detected by the lightning detector?

Answer 20

30 nautical miles.

Question 21

6. What are the four major parts of the automated meteorological station, AN/FMQ–19?

Answer 21

Weather sensors, a FDCU, TDAU, and OIDs.

Question 22

7. In how many configurations can the automated meteorological station, AN/FMQ–19 be installed?

Answer 22

Three.

Question 23

8. On what is the configuration in which the automated meteorological station, AN/FMQ–19 install dependent?

Answer 23

Mission requirements and runway length.

Question 24

9. What are the three types of sensor groups?

Answer 24

(1) Primary sensors.
(2) Secondary sensors.
(3) Midfield sensors.

Question 25

10. Into what type of data format does the FDCU convert the sensor data?

Answer 25

Serial format.