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050 10 00 00 METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION
050 10 01 00 Observation
050 10 01 01 Surface observations
Gusts are equal or greater than 10 kt more than the mean wind.
(02) Distinguish wind given in METARs and wind given by the control tower for take-off and landing.
Metar is in degrees TRUE. Reports from the ATS is degrees MAGNETIC.
(03) Define ‘visibility’.
The greater of:
- The distance a black object near the ground can be seen against a bright background.
- The distance a light of 1000 candelas can be seen against an unlit background.
(04) Describe the meteorological measurement of visibility.
Above
(05) Define ‘prevailing visibility’.
The greater value according to the definition, which is reached within at least half the horizon circle or within at least half the surface of the aerodrome.
(06) Define ‘ground visibility’.
As measured by an accredited observer.
(07) List the units used for visibility (m, km, statute mile).
Yep..
(08) Define ‘runway visual range’.
Visibility at the surface in the direction of landing.
(09) Describe the meteorological measurement of runway visual range.
From a pilot’s perspective.
(10) Indicate where the transmissometers/forward-scatter meters are placed on the aerodrome.
- Threshold – 300m from the threshold.
- Mid-point 1000-1500m along.
- Stop-end – 300m from the end.
(11) List the units used for runway visual range (m, ft).
Yep..
(12) List the different possibilities to transmit information to pilots about runway visual range.
METARS, ATIS and ATSU
(13) Compare ground visibility, prevailing visibility, and runway visual range.
RVR usually higher than ground or met visibility due to runway lighting.
(14) Indicate the means of observation of present weather.
It was humans and now using forward scatter viscometer sensors, which measure the meteorological optical range (MOR). The length a beam of light travels before its luminous flux drops below 5% of its original value. 2.5 above the runway.
(15) Indicate the means of observing clouds for the purpose of recording: type, amount, height of base (ceilometers), and top.
Tained observers, pilots or celiometers which laser the underside.
(16) State the clouds which are indicated in METAR, TAF and SIGMET.
The only types that are specified are CB and TCU
(17) Define ‘oktas’.
8ths of the sky.
(18) Define ‘cloud base’.
The height at the bottom of the lowest layer of cloud above aerodrome level. Area forecasts AMSL
(19) Define ‘ceiling’.
Lowest layer of cloud of more than 4 okras. Mostly reported by observers.
(20) Name the unit and the reference level used for information about cloud base (ft).
Hundreds of feet AGL
(21) Define ‘vertical visibility’.
- The distance you can see up!
- Or the maximum height from which you can see down to the ground.
(22) Explain briefly how and when vertical visibility is measured.
When low visibility operations are in effect.
- In steps of 15m 50′ up to 90m 300′.
- In steps of 30m 100′ between 90m 300′ and 600m 2000′.
Where LVP is not in force, steps of 30m’ 100′ up to 600m 2000′.
(23) Name the units used for vertical visibility (ft, m).
Yep VV followed by the 3 digit height in feet.
(24) Indicate the means of observation of air temperature (thermometer).
Tricky one…
(25) Name the units of relative humidity (%) and dew-point temperature (Celsius, Fahrenheit).
….
050 10 01 02 Radiosonde observations
(01) Describe the principle of radiosondes.Stuff hanging off a weather balloon. Measurements transmitted back to the ground.
(02) X Describe and interpret the sounding by radiosonde given on a simplified temperature–pressure (T–P) diagram.
A graph plotted with height over temperature.
050 10 01 03 Satellite observations
(01) Describe the basic outlines of satellite observations.
Visible and infrared. Geostationary or lower higher resolution ones which orbit the poles, these have a narrow scope of vision.
(02) Name the main uses of satellite pictures in aviation meteorology.
Identify clouds and composition, fronts, winds etc.
(03) Describe the different types of satellite imagery.
Visible – sunlight scattered back from the clouds, surface and gasses. Thicker clouds have a higher Albedo – reflectivity. They are brighter and hard to tell the height.
Infrared – Warmer objects appear darker, high clouds are colder.
(04) Interpret qualitatively the satellite pictures in order to get useful information for flights:— location of clouds (distinguish between stratiform and cumuliform clouds).
Practice…
(05) Interpret qualitatively the satellite pictures in order to get useful information for flights:
— location of fronts.
Practice..
(06) Interpret qualitatively the satellite pictures in order to get useful information for flights using atmospheric motion vector images to locate jet streams.
For wind information..
050 10 01 04 Weather radar observations (Refer to Subject 050 09 04 05)
(01) Describe the basic principle and the type of information given by a ground weather radar.Using microwave radiation to pick up precipitation.
(02) Interpret ground weather radar images.
Light green, not reaching the ground
Progressively heavier as the colour gets redder !
(03) Describe the basic principle and the type of information given by airborne weather radar.
Same really, colours…
(04) Describe the limits and the errors of airborne weather radar information.
Limited by attenuations, clutter, ground returns and missing more concerning features behind seemingly benign ones.
(05) Interpret typical airborne weather radar images.
Practice.
050 10 01 05 Aircraft observations and reporting
(01) Describe routine air-report and special air-report (ARS).Routine, requested of an aircraft en-route or climbing out.
Special, non routine for any stage of flight.
(02) State the obligation of a pilot to prepare air-reports.
Below.
(03) Name the weather phenomena to be stated in an ARS.
MOD ICE SEV ICE
MOD TURB SEV TURB
SEV MTW
Ts that are obscured, embedded, widespread or in squall lines.
Volcanic ash observed.
Anything else considered pertinent by the commander.
050 10 02 00 Weather charts
050 10 02 01 Significant weather charts
Practice
(02) Describe from a significant weather chart the flight conditions at designated locations or along a defined flight route at a given FL.
Practice
050 10 02 02 Surface charts
(01) Recognise the following weather systems on a surface weather chart (analysed and forecast): ridges, cols and troughs; fronts; frontal side, warm sector and rear side of mid-latitude frontal lows; high- and low-pressure areas.Practice.
(02) Determine from surface weather charts the wind direction and speed.
Practice
050 10 02 03 Upper-air charts
(01) Define ‘constant-pressure chart’.Isobaric or contour.
Plots the height of any given pressure.
(02) Define ‘isohypse (contour line)’.
(Refer to Subject 050 01 03 02)
Lines of equal heigh and equal barometric pressure.
(03) Define ‘isotherm’.
Connecting areas of equal temperature.
(04) Define ‘isotach’.
Line of equal wind speed
(05) Describe forecast upper-wind and temperature charts.
Forecast velocity of the wind and temperature across given region and at the stated altitude.
(06) For designated locations or routes determine from forecast upper-wind and temperature charts, if necessary by interpolation, the spot/average values for outside-air temperature, temperature deviation from ISA, wind direction, and wind speed.
Practice.
050 10 02 04 Gridded forecast products
(01) State that numerical weather prediction uses a 3D grid of weather data, consisting of horizontal data (latitude- longitude) and vertical data (height or pressure).Yep…
(02) Explain that world area forecast centres prepare global sets of gridded forecasts for flight planning purposes (upper wind, temperature, humidity).
Yep…
(03) State that the WAFCs also produce gridded datasets for Flight Level and temperature of the tropopause, direction and speed of maximum wind, cumulonimbus clouds, icing and turbulence.
Ok…
(04) Explain that the data on CB and turbulence can be used in the visualization of flight hazards.
Great…
(05) Explain that the gridded forecasts can be merged in information processing systems with data relayed from aircraft or pilot reports, e.g. of turbulence, to provide improved situation awareness.
Ooooobaby!
050 10 03 00 Information for flight planning
050 10 03 01 Aviation weather messages
Practice practice practice….
Trend – Any predicted change over the next two hours.
(02) Describe, decode and interpret the tropical cyclone advisory information in written and graphical form.
Issued when the maximum of the 10min mean surface wind speed is expected to reach or exceed 34 kt.
(03) Describe the general meaning of MET REPORT and SPECIAL REPORT.
Met report is actual observations and a SPECI is issued when significant change happens.
(04) List, in general, the cases when a SIGMET and an AIRMET are issued.
For thunderstorms, heavy hail, tropical cyclones, freezing rain, severe turbulence, MTW, dust storms, volcanic ash cloud. Anything mega basically…
(05) Describe, decode (by using a code table) and interpret the following messages: runway state message (as written in a METAR).
Remark: For runway state message, refer to ICAO Doc 7754 ‘Air Navigation Plan — European Region’.
More practice…
050 10 03 02 Meteorological broadcasts for aviation
(01) Describe the meteorological content of broadcasts for aviation:— meteorological information for aircraft in flight (VOLMET);
— automatic terminal information service (ATIS).
(02) Describe the meteorological content of broadcasts for aviation:
— HF-VOLMET.
050 10 03 03 Use of meteorological documents
(01) Describe meteorological briefing and advice.Um, not much to say here, except that it needs looking at. The charts etc will be flight specific of course.
(02) List the information that a flight crew can receive from meteorological services for pre-flight planning and apply the content of this information on a designated flight route.
Same again,,
(03) List the meteorological information that a flight crew can receive from flight information services during flight and apply the content of this information for the continuation of the flight.
ATIS, Volmet etc..
050 10 03 04 Meteorological warnings
(01) Describe and interpret aerodrome warnings and wind- shear warnings and alerts.Issued for heights up to 1600′
050 10 04 00 Meteorological services
(01) X Name the world area forecast centres (WAFCs) as the provider for upper-air forecasts: WAFCs prepare upper-air gridded forecasts of upper winds; upper-air temperatureand humidity; direction, speed and flight level of maximum
wind; flight level and temperature of tropopause, areas of cumulonimbus clouds, icing, clear-air and in-cloud turbulence, and geopotential altitude of flight levels.
Met office and NOAA
(02) X Name the meteorological (MET) offices as the
provider for aerodrome forecasts and briefing documents.
(03) X Name the meteorological watch offices (MWOs) as the
provider for SIGMET and AIRMET information.
(04) X Name the aeronautical meteorological stations as the
provider for METAR and MET reports
(05) X Name the volcanic ash advisory centres (VAACs) as the
provider for forecasts of volcanic ash clouds.
(06) X Name the tropical cyclone advisory centres (TCACs) as the
provider for forecasts of tropical cyclones.
050 10 04 02 International organisations
(01) X Describe briefly the following organisations and their chief activities in relation to weather for aviation:
— International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
(Refer to Subject 010 ‘AIR LAW’);
— World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
ICAO sets the regulatory framework. WMO provides aviation with operational information and work with ICAO.