How do you manage unstable approach criteria under pressure?

Define hard gates in advance, monitor trend, and execute go-around discipline when criteria fail.

How do you decide between holding and diversion in worsening weather?

Recalculate margin, set a hard decision point, and communicate early with ATC and crew.

Describe a case of automation mode confusion and recovery.

Show trigger detection, cross-check, mode correction, and CRM workload split.

Meteorology

Weather questions linked to real flight decisions.

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Topic question bank: Meteorology

Questions and Answers

General Meteorology

How does pressure affect an aircraft’s altitude?

The altimeter measures altitude relative to a reference pressure (usually QNH). If the altimeter is not set correctly, it can give a misleading altitude reading. If the altimeter setting is lower than the actual QNH \to the altimeter underreads, and the aircraft is higher than indicated If the altimeter setting is higher than the actual QNH \to the altimeter overreads, and the aircraft is lower than indicated This is summarized by the phrase: "From high to low, look out below" Why? With QNH set on the altimeter, the instrument indicates altitude above mean sea level . But since air pressure decreases with height, a mismatch between actual and set QNH shifts the reference level. Example: If you set QNH 1025 while the actual QNH is 1005, you're referencing a higher pressure level . The difference is 20 hPa \to 20 \times 27 ft = 540 ft Your altimeter will read 540 ft higher than your true altitude . So, setting a QNH higher than the actual value leads to altimeter overread and puts the aircraft lower than indicated — a potentially hazardous situation near terrain or obstacles.

Define radiation fog.

Radiation fog forms overnight when the ground loses heat through radiation, causing the air near the surface to cool down to its dew point . As the air reaches saturation, fog develops near the ground . This type of fog typically forms under the following conditions: - Clear skies, allowing maximum radiative cooling - Light winds, which prevent mixing and help the fog remain in place - Moist surface air close to saturation Radiation fog occurs only over land, and is most common during autumn and winter, when nights are longer and surface cooling is more pronounced. After sunrise, the ground warms, increasing the temperature-dew point spread, and the fog gradually dissipates .

What is the difference between QNH and QFF?

QNH and QFF are both pressure values reduced to mean sea level (MSL), but they differ in how the reduction is calculated and in their purpose: QNH Used in aviation as the standard altimeter setting to display altitude above MSL . Calculated from the actual station pressure, assuming standard atmospheric conditions (ISA) between the station and sea level. Provided in ATIS, METAR, and by ATC. Used by pilots to set their altimeters during approach, landing, and take-off phases. QFF Used mainly in meteorology, not for operational flying. Also reduced to sea level but uses the actual temperature and humidity conditions at the time of observation. Provides a more accurate representation of the true surface pressure at sea level for weather analysis. Not used as an altimeter setting. In summary : - QNH is used by pilots to set altimeters and fly at correct altitudes. - QFF is used by meteorologists to build surface pressure charts .

How does a microburst affect an aircraft during flight?

A microburst is a strong, localized downdraft associated with thunderstorms, often occurring during convective activity. When the descending air hits the ground, it spreads horizontally in all directions, creating intense and rapidly changing wind conditions. Effect on aircraft performance: Entering the microburst \to - Aircraft encounters a strong headwind - Airspeed increases, rate of descent decreases Entering the downdraft zone \to - Headwind component decreases - Airspeed drops, aircraft begins to descend rapidly Exiting into the tailwind \to - Aircraft encounters a strong tailwind - Further reduction in airspeed and increased sink rate Note: Microbursts can exceed the aircraft’s performance capabilities, especially at low altitude, and must be strictly avoided . They typically have a diameter of less than 4 km and last less than 5 minutes, but can be extremely hazardous during takeoff or landing .

What is the relationship between temperature, pressure and density?

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Which wind source should be used to calculate takeoff performance: METAR or ATIS?

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What is the difference between SAT (OAT) and TAT?

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Define dew point.

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Define relative humidity.

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Describe the relationship between temperature and dew point.

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What is the relative humidity when temperature and dew point are equal?

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What type of clouds are associated with stable air?

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What is the difference between mist and fog?

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Define advection fog.

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How does temperature affect an aircraft’s altitude?

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Explain the difference between QNH and QFE.

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What will the altimeter read on the ground when you set airfield QNH?

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What will the altimeter read on the ground when you set airfield QFE?

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When would QNH and QFE be the same?

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Explain what a temperature inversion is and explain why it is significant in aviation.

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Define tropopause.

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How is the tropopause height indicated on a significant weather chart?

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How is tropopause height calculated?

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Explain the difference between stable and unstable air.

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When will unstable air stop rising?

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What type of clouds are associated with unstable air?

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What is the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and what kind of weather does it produce?

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What do the different colors on a weather radar indicate in terms of precipitation intensity?

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What type of weather is typically associated with a high pressure system?

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What type of weather is typically associated with a low pressure system?

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Define warm front and describe the weather typically associated with it.

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Define cold front and describe the weather typically associated with it.

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Define occluded front and describe the weather typically associated with it.

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How should you avoid thunderstorms?

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What are the three stages of a thunderstorm?

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Define windshear and explain how it affects aircraft performance.

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How does freezing rain form and why is it dangerous?

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Define supercooled water droplets.

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Can ice crystals cause icing-related issues on an aircraft?

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Under what conditions is an aircraft susceptible to icing?

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What are the effects of icing on an aircraft?

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What are the hazards associated with volcanic ash clouds?

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Winds and Turbulence

Define Foehn wind.

A Foehn wind is a warm and dry downslope wind that occurs on the leeward (downwind) side of a mountain range, such as the Alps in Europe . Formation process: Moist air approaches the mountain and is forced to rise along the windward slope As the air rises, it cools . Once it reaches its dew point, condensation occurs, forming clouds and causing precipitation While saturated, the air cools at the Saturated Adiabatic Lapse Rate (SALR) \approx 1.5 °C / 1000 ft After losing much of its moisture, the air reaches the mountain crest dry Descending on the leeward side, it warms up at the Dry Adiabatic Lapse Rate (DALR) \approx 3 °C / 1000 ft Because the descending air warms faster than it cooled on the windward side, it arrives at lower altitudes as a warmer, drier air mass . Result: Windward side : cool, moist air \to clouds and precipitation Leeward side : warm, dry air \to clear skies and lower humidity Foehn winds can lead to rapid temperature increases, low humidity, and are known to cause turbulence, wave activity, and even psychological effects due to sudden weather shifts.

Explain the Coriolis force and its influence on moving air masses.

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Define Buys Ballot’s Law and explain how is is used in aviation.

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Define geostrophic wind.

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Define gradient wind.

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Why wind speeds increase with altitude?

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How does wind direction change with altitude?

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What are jet streams and how do they form?

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What are trade winds and what causes their easterly direction?

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Define sea breeze.

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Define land breeze.

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Define monsoon.

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Explain the difference between anabatic and katabatic winds.

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Can Clear Air Turbulence (CAT) be detected?

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On which side of a mountain do mountain waves form, and what hazards do they present to aircraft?

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Define wake turbulence and explain when it becomes hazardous.

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Weather Reports

Define METAR.

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Define TREND in a METAR and specify its validity.

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Define TAF.

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Define cloud ceiling.

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When is visibility reported in kilometers instead of meters?

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What area does a TAF cover?

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Explain the difference between METAR and TAF.

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What is the difference between METAR and ATIS?

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Explain the meaning of BECMG in a TAF or a METAR.

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Explain the meaning of TEMPO in a TAF or a METAR.

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What is the meaning of PROB30 or PROB40 in a TAF.

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What is the difference between NOSIG and NSW.

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What is the difference between BECMG and FM.

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Define CAVOK.

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In what sequence is the runway condition code given by the SNOWTAM?

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What is the difference between TSRAGR and TSGRRA.

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How can you check the valid Flight Levels and time on a significant weather chart?

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What is the symbol for moderate icing?

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What is the symbol for severe icing?

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What is the symbol for moderate turbulence?

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What is the symbol for severe turbulence?

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How are CB areas described on a significant weather chart?

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What does ISOL EMBD CB indicate?

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What does OCNL CB indicate?

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What does FRQ CB indicate?

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What does "XXX" mean on a significant weather chart?

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How can you measure the wind speed of a jet stream depicted on a significant weather chart?

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Where are the feathers or pennants of a jet stream line positioned on a significant weather chart?

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Which jet streams are shown on a significant weather chart?

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Reviewed by Lucas, airline pilot and instructor.