Questions and Answers
What clouds have the greatest turbulence?
An almond or lens-shaped cloud which appears stationary, but which may contain winds of 50 knots or more, is referred to as:
Crests of standing mountain waves may be marked by stationary, lens-shaped clouds known as:
What cloud types would indicate convective turbulence?
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Possible mountain wave turbulence could be anticipated when winds of 40 knots or greater blow:
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Upon encountering severe turbulence, which flight condition should the pilot attempt to maintain?
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What feature is normally associated with the cumulus stage of a thunderstorm?
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Which weather phenomenon signals the beginning of the mature stage of a thunderstorm?
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What conditions are necessary for the formation of thunderstorms?
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During the life cycle of a thunderstorm, which stage is characterized predominately by downdrafts?
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Thunderstorms reach their greatest intensity during the:
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Thunderstorms which generally produce the most intense hazard to aircraft are:
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The mature stage of a thunderstorm begins with:
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A nonfrontal, narrow band of active thunderstorms that often develop ahead of a cold front is known as a:
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If there is thunderstorm activity in the vicinity of an airport at which you plan to land, which hazardous atmospheric phenomenon might be expected on the landing approach?
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Which weather phenomenon is always associated with a thunderstorm?
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Where does wind shear occur?
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When may hazardous wind shear be expected?
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A pilot can expect a wind-shear zone in a temperature inversion whenever the windspeed at 2,000 to 4,000 feet above the surface is at least:
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The presence of ice pellets at the surface is evidence that there:
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One in-flight condition necessary for structural icing to form is:
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In which environment is aircraft structural ice most likely to have the highest accumulation rate?
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During a cross-country flight you picked up rime icing which you estimate is 1/2 inch thick on the leading edge of the wings. You are now below the clouds at 2,000 feet AGL and are approaching your destination airport under VFR. Visibility under the clouds is more than 10 miles, winds at the destination airport are 8 knots right down the runway, and the surface temperature is 3°C. You decide to:
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Which conditions result in the formation of frost?
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How does frost affect the lifting surfaces of an airplane on takeoff?
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How will frost on the wings of an airplane affect takeoff performance?
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Why is frost considered hazardous to flight?
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Study Notes
Cloud Types and Turbulence
- Cumulonimbus clouds are associated with the greatest turbulence, often indicating severe weather.
- Lenticular clouds resemble almonds or lenses and may contain winds exceeding 50 knots.
- Standing lenticular clouds mark crests of mountain waves, indicating atmospheric instability.
Thunderstorm Stages
- The cumulus stage of a thunderstorm features continuous updrafts.
- The mature stage begins with the onset of precipitation, characterized by increased intensity and severity.
- The dissipating stage is dominated by downdrafts leading to the storm's weakening.
Thunderstorm Characteristics
- High humidity, lifting forces, and unstable atmospheric conditions are crucial for thunderstorm development.
- Squall line thunderstorms are particularly hazardous, often producing severe hazards to aircraft.
- Thunderstorms reach their peak intensity during the mature stage.
Safety during Severe Weather
- Pilots should maintain level flight attitude when encountering severe turbulence to ensure safety.
- Wind-shear turbulence is a common hazard during landing near thunderstorm activity.
Wind Shear and Icing
- Wind shear can occur at all altitudes and is enhanced in stable air crossing mountain barriers.
- Hazardous wind shear conditions can develop in low-level temperature inversions and frontal zones.
- Ice pellets suggest a temperature inversion with freezing rain occurring at higher altitudes.
Structural Icing Facts
- Structural icing forms when there is visible moisture with a small temperature/dewpoint spread.
- Freezing rain leads to the highest accumulation rate of ice on aircraft surfaces.
- Frost formation occurs when the collecting surface temperature is at or below freezing when moisture contacts it.
Effects of Frost on Aircraft
- Frost disrupts airflow over wings, severely impacting lift and takeoff performance.
- It can prevent normal takeoff speeds, making takeoff hazardous.
- Frost alters the aerodynamic shape of airfoils, decreasing lift efficiency, making it critical for pilots to ensure wings are clear before flight.
Studying That Suits You
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Description
Test your knowledge of meteorological concepts with these flashcards focused on Chapter 6. Covering various types of clouds and their characteristics, this quiz challenges you with specific terminology used in weather phenomena. Boost your understanding of turbulence and cloud shapes through interactive study!
