Briefings
What is the difference between a Prognostic Chart and a Surface Analysis Chart?
Prog Chart is basically a surface analysis chart with predicted precipitation overlaid and it is a forecast, not an observation.
What is a TAF? How long are they valid for?
Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF)
Expected meteorological conditions within a 5 SM radius from reporting station.
Issued 4 times a day valid for 24 hours. (up to 30)
What 3 things are needed for a thunderstorm to form and what are the 3 stages?
3 things to form:
- Moisture
- Unstable air
- Lifting action
3 stages:
- Cumulus
- Mature
- Dissipating
Teach the 4 ways icing affects the airplane
Lift - Decreased
Excessive loss of lift will cause aircraft to lose altitude
Weight - Increased
Excessive weight will cause aircraft to lose altitude
Thrust - Decreased
Excessive loss of thrust will cause aircraft to lose airspeed and lift
Drag - Increased
Excessive drag will cause aircraft to lose airspeed and lift
From what frontal or pressure system is a tornado most likely to form?
Occluded front and Low pressure system
What are the 3 main types of weather briefings?
Standard Weather Briefing
Abbreviated Weather Briefing
Outlook Weather Briefing
On a METAR what does "LTNG ALQDS" mean?
Lightning all quadrants (N,E,S,W)
What are the characteristics of High and Low pressure? How are they depicted on a Prog chart?
Low pressure system (red L)
- Areas of moist, rising air spinning counterclockwise and inwards
- Associated with cloudiness and precipitation
High pressure system (blue H)
- Areas of dry, descending air spinning clockwise and outwards
- Associated with better weather
Teach the 3 main factors that affect air pressure
Elevation
Temperature
Moisture content (humidity)
What are class G VFR weather minimums and required equipment?
At or below 1,200’ AGL
-Day: 1 SM visibility, clear of clouds
-Night: 3 SM visibility, 500’/1,000’/2,000’
Above 1,200’ AGL, below 10,000’ MSL
-Day: 1 SM visibility, 500’/1,000’/2,000’
-Night: 3 SM visibility, 500’/1,000’/2,000’
Above 1,200’ AGL, at or above 10,000’ MSL
-(Day and night) 5 SM visibility, 1,000’/1,000’/1 SM
None
What is an In-flight Briefing?
If conditions have changed, in-flight weather can be used to update the pilot with a full briefing through FSS.
3 resources where you can find FAA approved weather information?
What are the 3 types of structural icing? And how do they form?
Rime ice: rough, white in color
- Supercooled droplets hit surface, freeze instantly - traps air (colder temps)
Clear ice: clear, smooth
- Supercooled droplets hit surface, spread out, then freeze (warmer temps)
Mixed ice: both clear and rime
Occurs when there is visible moisture, and temperatures are below freezing
Teach the 4 different fronts and how they are depicted on a Prog chart.
Cold front
Warm front
Stationary front
Occluded front
What does it mean when the winds aloft are '9900'?
https://aviationweather.gov/data/windtemp/?region=chi&fcst=06&level=low
Winds at that altitude are light and variable.
What are the ceilings and visibility associated with VFR, MVFR, IFR, and LIFR observations?
LIFR = <500′ and/or <1 mile
IFR = 500-1000′ and/or 1-3 miles
MVFR = 1000-3000′ and/or 3-5 miles
VFR = >3000′ and >5 miles
What is an AIRMET? How long is issued for? Explain the 3 types.
Concerns phenomena (non convective) considered potentially hazardous to light aircraft and aircraft with limited operational capabilities.
Issued for 6 hour periods.
Sierra → IFR and mountain obscuration
Tango → turbulence, strong surface winds, and low-level windshear
Zulu → icing and freezing levels
Name any 3 types of fog and explain how each forms.
Radiation - (Calm, still, cool, night) Warm air radiates off the ground and leaves it cool
Advection - Water source and wind to blow inland
Steam - Water source but stays over the water (ex. Lake superior)
Upslope - Air forced up mountains
Precipitation - Ran falls through a different temperature below
Ice - Any fog where the temperature is below freezing
Teach induction icing (carbureted or fuel injected)
Carb- Fuel vaporization, Pressure drop in the venturi, Incoming humid air
Air intake or filter becomes blocked with ice build up
What is a microburst? Why is it dangerous?
A localized column of sinking air (downdraft) within a thunderstorm and is usually less than or equal to 2.5 miles in diameter.
Sudden increase in performance (increase in headwind) followed by sudden decrease (increased tailwind)
During your weather briefing you decide you want to climb through the clouds and file VFR on top. Is there somewhere you can find the tops of clouds reported?
The cloud coverage is a forecast so you would need to look for a PIREP that denotes the tops.
At MKT we have an AWOS-3PT. The "3PT" denotes the level 3 categories P/T.
What additional information is provided with AWOS-3PT?
A: barometric pressure, altimeter setting.
AV: Altimeter setting and visibility.
I: wind speed and gusts, wind direction, variable wind direction, temperature and dew point, altimeter setting, density altitude
II: AWOS I parameters + visibility, variable visibility
III: AWOS II parameters + sky condition, cloud ceiling height, liquid precipitation accumulation
III P: AWOS III parameters + precipitation type identification (rain, snow, drizzle)
III T: AWOS III parameters + thunderstorm detection
III P/T: AWOS III parameters + precipitation type identification, thunderstorm detection
IV Z: AWOS III P/T parameters + freezing rain detection (previously known as AWOS III PTZ)
IV R: AWOS III P/T parameters + runway surface condition
IV Z/R: AWOS III P/T parameters + freezing rain detection, runway surface condition
What is the difference between frontogenesis and frontolysis? How are they depicted on a prog chart?
Frontogenesis - initial formation (dashed with symbol)
Frontolysis - dissapaiting front (dash in between as well)
Teach the Coriolis Effect and why it's important
Drives our weather patterns (how fronts, pressure systems form and dissipate)
Explains how H and L pressure move
Daily Double!
Decode this METAR:
METAR CYYC 110700Z 23006KT 10SM -SHRASN FEW008 OVC030 01/01 A2957 RMK CF2SC6 SLP05
Calgary, 11th month@0700Z, 230 True@6Kts, 10SM vis, Light Rain and Snow Showers, Few@800ft, Overcast@3000, Temp 1, DP 1, Altimeter 29.57, Remarks Cumulus Fractus 2/8, Stratocumulus 6/8, Sea Level Pressure 1005.0