Aviation Basics
This term refers to the state of the atmosphere and is inseparable from flying.
What is weather?
These three aspects of flight are most affected by weather.
What are visibility, comfort, and safety?
All weather on Earth is driven by this source of energy.
What is the sun?
These two sets of rules govern flight based on visibility and instruments.
What are VFR (Visual Flight Rules) and IFR (Instrument Flight Rules)?
This type of storm can produce turbulence severe enough to break up an aircraft.
What is a thunderstorm?
These two factors, along with proximity to water or mountains, influence local weather patterns.
What are atmospheric pressure and heat exchange?
This old aviation saying warns pilots against taking unnecessary risks: “It’s better to be on the ground wishing you were in the air, than in the air wishing you were on the ground.” What does it mean?
What is “It’s better to be safe than sorry”?
This frozen precipitation can form on aircraft surfaces and lead to loss of control.
What is ice (icing)?
Air rises in this type of pressure system, leading to clouds and precipitation.
What is a low-pressure system?
This is the minimum ceiling and visibility generally considered VFR.
What is 1,000 feet ceiling and 3 miles visibility?
These atmospheric conditions can reduce visibility and force pilots to rely on instruments.
What are clouds, haze, or smoke?
Air descends in this type of pressure system, creating stable conditions and fair weather.
What is a high-pressure system?
These are the minimum weather conditions required for Low IFR operations.
What is a ceiling below 500 feet and/or visibility less than 1 mile?
This phenomenon can be both good and bad: it can speed up a flight or slow it down depending on direction.
What is wind (tailwind or headwind)?
Aircraft weather radar detects this type of atmospheric feature most effectively.
What is precipitation (moisture)?