Lesson 1 - Atmosphere

Question 1

What is the composition of the atmosphere?

Answer 1

Nitrogen 78%
Oxygen 21%
Other gases 1%

Argon 0.95%
Carbon Dioxide 0.05%
Ozone (trace)
Carbon monoxide (trace)

Question 2

What sections is the atmosphere made up of (bottom upwards)

Answer 2

Troposphere
Tropopause
Stratosphere
Stratopause
Mesosphere
Mesopause
Thermosphere

Question 3

What rate does temperature decrease in the troposphere? ISA LAPSE RATE

Answer 3

1.98deg per 1000ft (2 calcs)

OR

0.65deg per 100m

Question 4

Tropopause and above is a constant ISA temperature, what is it?

Answer 4

-56.5C

Question 5

What percentage of the atmosphere is water vapour (H2Og) at lower levels?

Answer 5

4%

Question 6

Around 50% of the water vapour within the atmosphere is found below what level? (km)

Answer 6

1.5km

Question 7

Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is a heat source because it absorbs what?

Answer 7

Long wave terrestrial radiation

Question 8

Ozone acts as a heat source in the atmosphere by absorbing what?

Answer 8

Short wave solar radiation

Question 9

The earths atmosphere is adiabatic because, what?

Answer 9

Temperature changes with pressure

Question 10

On average the troposphere extends to what height above mean sea level (AMSL)? (km)

Answer 10

11km

Question 11

What is the ISA sea level temperature?

Answer 11

15deg

Question 12

Where do jet streams exist?

Answer 12

Just below tropopause

Question 13

The equatorial tropopause is higher and colder due to energy being very high and constant. What height and what temperature?

Answer 13

16-18km

-70/90deg

Question 14

In the stratosphere the temperature is constant to what height?

Answer 14

Approx 20km (65600ft) where it meets the ozone after which it increases.

Question 15

At what height is ozone generally present?

Answer 15

20-30km

Question 16

What is the ISA pressure at sea level?

Answer 16

1013.25hPa

Question 17

What height is the troposphere above the poles?

Answer 17

8-10km

Question 18

What height is the troposphere above the equator?

Answer 18

16-18km

Question 19

What is the temperature at the tropopause over the poles?

Answer 19

-40 to -50deg

Question 20

In the stratosphere the temperature ____ with altitude and the change _____ uniform

Answer 20

Increases with altitude, is not uniform

Question 21

The stratosphere is used as the cruising altitude for most commercial airliners because…

Answer 21

There is no active weather or convective turbulence

Question 22

What is the ISA air density from just below sea level up to 32km?

Answer 22

1.225kg/m3

Question 23

Between 11km (36090ft) and 20km (65617ft FL650) the air temperature is…

Answer 23

-56.5deg, CONSTANT

Question 24

The temperature between 20km (65617ft) and 32km (104987ft)…

Answer 24

Increases 0.1deg/100m

Question 25

The temperature within the stratosphere is constant up until a height of about…

Answer 25

20km

Question 26

What is the ISA pressure assumption for mercury InHg at MSL

Answer 26

29.92 (inches)

Question 27

Near the surface you should assume 1hPa for every…

Answer 27

30ft (9m) height

Question 28

At 18000ft you should assume 1hPa for every…

Answer 28

48ft 18000ft FL180 = half way troposphere (36000ft)

Question 29

At 22000ft the ISA density is approximately _% to AMSL

Answer 29

50%

Question 30

At 40000ft FL400 density is approx _% to AMSL

Answer 30

25%

Question 31

What is VOLMET?

Answer 31

Weather reports and forecasts IN FLIGHT. Primarily on HF radio in Oceania and VHF in Europe

Question 32

What info does ATIS provide?

Answer 32

Weather and operational info. Plain language takeoff and landing report prepared by ATC at controlled aerodromes Issued whenever a change occurs. Wind direction is magnetic

Question 33

What does ACARS stand for?

Answer 33

Aircraft Communication Addressing and Reporting System (in-flight display)

Question 34

What should a pilot report on a PIREP (AIREP/ARS)

Answer 34

Wind shear Volcanic activity MOD SEV Turbulence MOD SEV Icing MOD SEV Mountain Waves Thunderstorms (with or without hail) Heavy Dust/Sand Storm

Question 35

Runway State Group 8 digit code can be issued on the end of a METAR to give you what?

Answer 35

Braking action coefficients

Question 36

What are the key 8 digits of the Runway State Group

Answer 36

1,2 - RWY 3 - Contamination type 4 - Extent 5,6 - Depth 7,8 - Braking Action OR Friction Coefficient

Question 37

What is the difference between a Gust and a Squall?

Answer 37

Gust - increase of wind speed for less than a minute Squall - over a minute

Question 38

What is braking condition 01-90?

Answer 38

Friction coefficient eg 34 = 0.34

Question 39

What it braking condition 91

Answer 39

Poor

Question 40

What it braking condition 92

Answer 40

BA Poor

Question 41

What it braking condition 93

Answer 41

BA Medium-Poor

Question 42

What it braking condition 94

Answer 42

BA Medium-Good

Question 43

What it braking condition 95

Answer 43

BA Good

Question 44

What it braking condition 99

Answer 44

BA unreliable or not measurable eg due to aquaplaning

Question 45

AIRMET & GAMET operate at what levels?

Answer 45

Below FL100 or FL150 in mountainous areas

Question 46

What does an AIRMET transmit?

Answer 46

En-route weather phenomena which may affect safety of low level flight (below FL100 or 150 if mountainous)

Question 47

What is a GAMET

Answer 47

plain language area forecast below FL100 or 150 if mountainous

Question 48

What altitude levels are used on SIGWX charts?

Answer 48

Low level: >FL100 (locally produced) Medium level: FL100 to FL250 High level: FL250 to FL450 Medium and high produced by London and Washington

Question 49

QNH is…

Answer 49

Sea level pressure at specific location

Question 50

QFF is…

Answer 50

Sea level pressure in a general area