METEOROLOGY – THE ATMOSPHERE

1. The international standard atmosphere assumes a lapse rate of:

a) 20C/1000 ft.
b) 1.50C/1000 ft.
c) 30C/1000 ft.
d) 1.980C/1000 ft.

2. The tropopause is:

a) The line where the temperature no longer decreases with increase of

height.
b) The layer between the tropopause and the stratosphere.
c) The layer beyond which only DI cloud occurs.
d) The line indicating clear air turbulence.

3. The main Ozone layer is to be found in the:

a) thermosphere
b) troposphere
c) mesosphere
d) stratosphere

4. The atmosphere is a mixture of gasses of the following proportions:

a) oxygen 21% nitrogen 78% other gases 1%

b) oxygen 21% hydrogen 78% other gasses 1%
c) nitrogen 78% argon 21% oxygen 1%
d) nitrogen 78% oxygen 21% hydrogen 1%

5. The pressure of the atmosphere:

a) decreases at an increasing rate as height increases

b) decreases at a constant rate as height increases
c) decreases at a decreasing rate as height increases
d) decreases at a constant rate up to the tropopause and then remains constant

6. Atmospheric pressure may be defined as:

a) the weight of the atmosphere exerted on any surface with which it is

in contact
b) the weight of the atmosphere at standard sea level.
c) the force per unit area exerted by the atmosphere on any surface with
which it is in contact.
d) a pressure exerted by the atmosphere of 1013.2 mbs

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7. The aerodrome QFE is:

a) the reading on the altimeter on an aerodrome when the aerodrome

barometric pressure is set on the sub scale.
b) the reading on the altimeter on touchdown at an aerodrome when 1013.2 is
set on the sub scale.
c) the reading on the altimeter on an aerodrome when the sea level
barometric pressure is set on the sub scale.
d) the aerodrome barometric pressure.

8. Consider the following statements relative to Air Density and select the one which
is correct:

a) Because air density increase of temperature, air density must increase with
increase of height in the International Standard Atmosphere (ISA).
b) At any given surface temperture the air density will be greater in anticyclonic
conditions than it will be when the MSL pressure is lower.
c) Air density increases with increase of relative humidity.
d) The effect of change of temperature on the air density is much greater than the
effect of change of atmospheric pressure.

9. A ridge of high pressure is generally associated with:

a) convergence causing increased cloud and preciptation.
b) divergence causing increased cloud and precipitation.
c) divergence causing cloud to break up and more preciptation
d) divergence and subsidence causing clear skies and good weather.

10. A trough of low pressure is:

a) a small low established within the circulation of another low.

b) An extension or elongation of low pressure system along an axis on each
side of which pressure increases.
c) a center of pressure surrounded on all sides by higher pressure
d) an area where the pressure is lower than anywhere else in the area.

11. If in the southern hemisphere an aircraft in flight at 2000 ft is experiencing

starboard drift, the aircraft is flying towards:

a) an area of high pressure

b) an area of low pressure
c) a warm front
d) a depression

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12. Subsidence is an anticyclone produces:

a) saturated air and an inversion

b) dry air and an inversion
c) isothermal dry and stable air
d) increased pressure at the surface

13. An aircraft is flying at 3000 feet indicated with the altimeter sub scale set to 1020
mb towards a mountain range with an elevation of 1600 feet. If during the flight
the QNH in the area falls to 989 mb and the altimeter sub scale is not reset, the
expected clearance over the mountain range will be: (assume 27 feet = 1 mb)

a) 1400 ft
b) 470 ft
c) 930 ft
d) 563 ft

14. When flying towards a depression at a constant indicated altitude, the true altitude
will be:

a) Lower than indicated.

b) Higher than indicated.
c) The same as indicated.
d) Lower than indicated at first then the same as indicated later.

15. An aircraft, flying at FL100 at a constant RAS, flies from an area of ward air into
an area of cold air. The QNH is unchanged. How has the aircraft altitude and
TAS changed?

Altitude TAS

a) decreased increased
b) increased increased
c) decreased decreased
d) increased decreased

16. The purpose of a “Stavenson Screen” is to:

a) maintain a moist atmosphere so that the wet bulb thermometer can

function correctly.
b) To prevent the mercury freezing in the low winter temperatures.
c) Protect the thermometer from wind, weather and from direct sunshine.
d) Keep the wet and dry bulb thermometers away from surface extremes of
temperature.

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17. If temperature remains constant with an increase in altitude there is:

a) an inversion
b) an inversion aloft
c) uniform lapse rate
d) an isothermal layer

18. Cloud cover will reduce diurnal variation of temperature because:

a) Incoming solar radiation is reflected back to space and outgoing terrestrial

radiation is reflected back to earth.
b) Incoming solar radiation is re-radiated back to space and atmospheric
heating by convection will stop at the level of the cloud layer.
c) The cloud stops the suns rays getting through to the earth and also reduces
outgoing conduction.
d) Incoming solar radiation is reflected back to space and outgoing terrestrial
radiation is re-radiated from the cloud layer back to the surface.

19. Diurnal variation of the surface temperature will:

a) Be unaffected by a change of wind speed.

b) Decrease as wind speed increases
c) Increase as wind speed increases
d) Be at a minimum is calm conditions

20. The method by which energy is transferred from one body to another by contact is
called:

a) radiation
b) convection
c) conduction
d) latent heat

21. The diurnal variation of temperature is:

a) greater over the sea than overland

b) less over desert areas then over temperate grassland
c) reduced anywhere by the presence of cloud
d) increased anywhere as wind speed increases

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22. The sun give out amount of energy with wavelengths.
The earth gives out relatively amounts of energy with
relatively wavelengths:

a) Large, large, small, small.

b) Small, small, large, large.
c) Large, large, small, large.
d) Large, small, small, large.

23. Over continents and oceans, the relative temperature conditions are:

a) Warmer in winter over land, colder in summer over sea.

b) Colder in winter over land, warmer in winter over sea.
c) Cold in winter over land and sea.
d) Warmer in summer over land and sea.

24. Throughout the 24 hrs of a day the Relative Humidity can be expected to:

a) Increase during the day and decrease at night.

b) Stay reasonably constant throughout the 24 hours.
c) Reduce during the day and increase at night.
d) Only change with a change of airmass.

25. During a night with a clear sky, surface temperature will RH

will and Dewpoint will .

a) Fall, Rise, Rise.

b) Rise, Rise, Fall.
c) Fall, Rise, Remain the same.
d) Fall, Fall, Remain the same.

26. A change of state directly from a solid to a vopour or vice versa is:

a) insolation
b) condensation
c) evaporation
d) sublimation

27. The process of change of state from a gas to a liquid is:

a) evaporation in which latent heat is absorbed

b) evaporation in which latent heat is released
c) condensation in which latent heat is absorbed
d) condensation in which latent heat is released

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28. When condensation takes place, the higher the temperature, the the
amount of latent heat :

a) lesser; released.
b) greater; absorbed.
c) greater; released.
d) lesser; absorbed.

29. When water vapour changes to ice:

a) Latent heat is absorbed.

b) Specific heat is released.
c) Latent heat is released.
d) Specific heat is absorbed.

30. When flying in IMC in a region close to a range of hills 2000 ft. high, in stable air
and with wind direction at right angles to the axis of the range of hills, which of
the following is probably the most dangerous practice:

a) Flying towards the hills, into the wind, at flight level 65.
b) Flying parallel to the hills on the downwind side at flight level 40.
c) Flying towards the hills downwind at flight level 55.
d) Flying parallel to the hills on the upwind side at flight level 40.

31. Which of the following statements referring to Jet Streams is correct:

a) CAT associated with Jet Streams is probably associated with the rapid
wind shear in the vicinity of the jet.
b) The maximum windspeed in a Jet Stream increases with increase of height
up to the tropopause and remains constant thereafter.
c) The core of a Jet Stream is usually located just below the tropopause in the
colder air mass.
d) The rate of change of windspeed at any given level is usually greatest on
the warmer side of the jet.

32. A gust of wind often causes a veer in the surface wind (Northern Hemisphere)
because :

a) It strengthens pressure gradient force.

b) It increases coriolis force.
c) It increases centrifugal force.
d) It lifts the air above the friction layer.

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33. The surface wind direction in the Northern Hemisphere is backed from the 2000 ft
wind by an average of 300 over land due to :

a) Friction reducing the wind speed, thus reducing the coriolis force,
allowing the pressure gradient force to pull the wind across the isobars
towards low pressure.
b) The frictional effect at the surface, causing the surface isobars to curve
more than those at 2000ft.
c) The geostrophic wind only flowing between straight and parallel isobars
with an unchanging pressure gradient with time, whereas the surface
pressure gradient changes diurnally with surface heating.
d) The effect of the centrifugal force, which is strongest at the surface due to
increased curvature.

34. The geostrophic wind blows :

a) Parallel to curved isobars.

b) When pressure values are changing rapidly.
c) In a tropical revolving storm.
d) When the coriolis force and pressure gradient force are equal.

35. A Katabatic wind can result in :

a) An increase in temperature.
b) Fog in the valley at night.
c) Thunderstorms in summer.
d) Stratus cloud.

36. In an anticyclone at 2000ft, in the northern hemisphere, the wind was 060/20kt.
The likely surface w/v over land is :

a) 070/15 kt.
b) 050/10 kt
c) 030/10 kt
d) 030/15 kt

37. The size of raindrops from a cloud is greater if :

a) Air is stable and cloud is layer type.

b) Air is unstable and cloud is heap type.
c) Cloud type is AC or NS.
d) The relative humidity is high.

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38. In aerodrome reports and forecasts the heights of the cloud base refers to :

a) the height above mean sea level.

b) The height above aerodrome elevation.
c) The pressure altitude of the cloud base.
d) The height above the average ground level for the area.

39. Cloud types are classified under three basic family headings, these are :

a) Cirriform, Stratiform, Cumuliform

b) Stratiform, Heap, Cirriform
c) Cirrus, Cumulus and layer
d) Cumulus, Layer and Heap

40. The turbulence associated with cumulus clouds is:

a) Moderate
b) Slight to nil
c) Nil
d) Moderate possibly severe

41. Which of the following clouds is never a hazard to aviation:

a) Nimbostratus
b) Noctilucent cloud
c) Cumulonimbus cloud
d) Stratus clouds

42. If you observe drizzle falling, the cloud above you is most likely to be:

a) AS
b) CU
c) ST
d) NS

43. Clouds formed by convection will always:

a) Be layer clouds.
b) Be CU CB or NS.
c) Have a rising cloud base and may develop into CB as the day progresses.
d) Form only in Polar maritime air.

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44. The term “shower” implies that:

a) precipitation is in the form of rain and is continuous

b) precipitation is from cumulonimbus cloud and lasts for short periods.
c) Precipitation is intermittent and is from strato form cloud.
d) Precipitation is continuous for long periods from cumuloform cloud.

45. Hazards of the mature stage of a TS cell include lightening, turbulence and:

a) microburst, windshear and anvil

b) icing, microburst and windshear
c) icing, drizzle and microburst
d) windshear, hail and fog

46. When flying through an active CB cloud, lightning strikers are most likely:

a) Above 5000 and underneath the anvil.

b) In the clear air below the cloud in rain.
c) In the temperature band between +100C and –100C.
d) At or about 10 000 ft AMSL.

47. Regarding thunderstorms, the most accurate statement amongst the following is:

a) There will always be windshear under the cloud.

b) The average movement is in accord with the wind at 10 000 ft.
c) If the cloud base has a temperature below 0 0C then freezing rain will
occur.
d) The number of lightening flashes is directly proportional to the degree of
turbulence.

48. When moist air passes over a surface which is than the dew
point of the air, fog can form. This occur over .

Examine the statement above; the line which contains the correct words in the
correct order to complete the statement is:

a) cool warmer radiation the sea

b) warm cooler radiation the land only
c) cool warmer frontal land
d) warm cooler advection land and sea

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49. Advection fog is formed when air moves over a surface
and is its dewpoint:

a) humid cold kept above

b) Warm moist cooler cooled below
c) dry frozen well below
d) warm moist warmer kept above

50. Fog may be defined as:

a) a reduction of visibility to less than 1000 metres due to the presence of water
vapour in the atmosphere.
b) a reduction of visibility to less than 1000 metres due to the presence of water
droplets in suspension in the atmosphere.
c) a reduction of visibility to less than 1500 metres due to the presence of water
droplets in suspension in the atmosphere.
d) a reduction of visibility to less than 1000 ft due to the presence of water
vapour in suspension in the atmosphere.

51. Hoar frost forms on an aircraft when:

a) The aircraft suddenly enters a cloud at below freezing temperature.

b) The aircraft in sub zero clear air suddenly enters a colder region.
c) The aircraft in sub zero clear air suddenly enters a warmer moist region.
d) The aircraft suddenly enters a cloud which is at a higher temperature than
the surrounding air.

52. Stratus cloud of limited depth at a temperature of –50C will most likely give:

a) moderate to heavy rime ice.

b) Moderate to heavy glaze ice.
c) Light to moderte rime ice.
d) Light to moderate glaze ice.

53. Which of the following conditions is most favourable for the formation of
carburetor icing if the aircraft is descending with glide power set:

Relative Humidity Ambient Temperature

a) 25% +250C
b) 40% +200C
c) 50% -100C
d) 30% -50C

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54. Carburettor icing is unlikely:

a) In cloud.
b) At temperatures between – 100C and -300C.
c) In clear air.
d) When the RH is 40%.

55. Mixed (rime and clear) icing is most likely to be encountered:

a) in nimbostratus at a temperature of –100C.

b) in stratocumulus cloud at a temperature of –200C.
c) in fair weather cumulus at a temperature of –150C.
d) in towering cumulus at a temperature of –100C.

56. When considering icing in cloud over high ground compared with icing in other
clouds, the effect of orographic lifting is to:

a) Cause the height of the freezing level to fall and increases the intensity of the
icing.
b) Cause the height of the freezing level to rise and increases the severity of the
icing.
c) Cause the free water content of the cloud to increase and the freezing level to
rise so reducing the icing risk.
d) Increase the temperature inside the cloud due to the release of extra latent heat
so reducing the icing risk.

57. Kinetic heating will:

a) Increase the risk of icing if it raises the airframe temperature to just below
00C.
b) Increase the risk of icing if it raises the airframe temperature to just above
00C.
c) Always increase the risk of airframe icing.
d) Always decrease the risk of airframe icing.

58. If air in transit is heated from below it tends to become more:

a) stable
b) neutrally stable
c) unstable
d) none of these

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59. Tropical revolving storms usually:

a) form close to one side of the equator and while moving slowly in a
westerly direction.
b) Move in a westerly direction before recurving towards the equator.
c) Move in an easterly direction before recurving towards the nearest pole.
d) Do not form within 50 of the equator.

60. With reference to tropical revolving storms, which of the following statements is
correct:

a) typhoons are found in the south China sea in January

b) cyclones, occur in the Bay of Bengal in winter.
c) Hurricanes, in the South Atlantic sometimes affect the east coast of Brazil
d) Hurricanes affect the south east of the USA in late summer.

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