Aviation Meterology Question Bank
Aviation Meterology Question Bank
50.1.1.1 (3273)
What, approximately, is the average height of the tropopause over the equator ?
a) 16 km
b) 8 km
c) 11 km
d) 40 km
50.1.1.1 (3274)
In which layer is most of the atmospheric humidity concentrated ?
a) Troposphere.
b) Tropopause.
c) Stratosphere.
d) Stratopause.
50.1.1.1 (3275)
What is the boundary layer between troposphere and stratosphere called?
a) Tropopause.
b) Ionosphere.
c) Stratosphere.
d) Atmosphere.
50.1.1.1 (3276)
Which of the following cloud types can project up into the stratosphere?
a) Cumulonimbus
b) Cirrostratus
c) Altocumulus
d) Altostratus
50.1.1.1 (3277)
Which one of the following statements applies to the tropopause?
a) Troposphere
b) Lower stratosphere
c) Upper stratosphere
d) Ionosphere
50.1.1.1 (3279)
The thickness of the troposphere varies with
a) latitude
b) longitude
c) rotation of the earth
d) the wind
50.1.1.1 (3280)
What is the approximate composition of the dry air by volume in the troposphere ?
50.1.1.1 (3281)
Going from the equator to the north pole, the altitude of the tropopause
a) has a greater vertical extent above the equator than above the poles
50.1.1.1 (3283)
The troposphere is the
50.1.1.1 (3285)
The tropopause is lower
50.1.1.1 (3286)
The average height of the tropopause at 50°N is about
a) 11 km
b) 8 km
c) 14 km
d) 16 km
50.1.1.1 (3287)
The height and the temperature of the tropopause are respectively in the order of
50.1.1.1 (3288)
In the mid-latitudes the stratosphere extends on an average from
a) 11 to 50 km
b) 0 to 11 km
c) 50 to 85 km
d) 85 to more than 200 km
50.1.2.1 (3289)
The temperature at FL 140 is -12°C. What will the temperature be at FL 110 if the ICAO standard lapse rate is
applied ?
a) -6°C.
b) -18°C.
c) -9°C.
d) -15°C.
50.1.2.1 (3290)
At a certain position, the temperature on the 300 hPa chart is -48°C, according to the tropopause chart, the
tropopause is at FL 330. What is the most likely temperature at FL 350 ?
a) -54°C.
b) -50°C.
c) -56,5°C.
d) -58°C.
50.1.2.1 (3291)
An outside air temperature of -35°C is measured while cruising at FL 200. What is the temperature deviation
from the ISA at this level?
50.1.2.1 (3292)
What is the most likely temperature at the tropical tropopause?
a) -75°C.
b) -55°C.
c) -35°C.
d) -25°C.
50.1.2.1 (3293)
The 0° isotherm is forecast to be at FL 50. At what FL would you expect a temperature of -6° C?
a) FL 80
b) FL 20
c) FL 100
d) FL 110
50.1.2.1 (3294)
The temperature at FL 80 is +6°C. What will the temperature be at FL 130 if the ICAO standard lapse rate is
applied ?
a) -4°C
b) -6°C
c) 0°C
d) +2°C
50.1.2.1 (3295)
The temperature at FL 110 is -5°C. What will the temperature be at FL 50 if the ICAO standard lapse rate is
applied ?
a) +7°C
b) +3°C
c) 0°C
d) -3°C
50.1.2.1 (3296)
The temperature at FL 160 is -22°C. What will the temperature be at FL 90 if the ICAO standard lapse rate is
applied ?
a) -8°C
b) -4°C
c) 0°C
d) +4°C
50.1.2.1 (3297)
A temperature of +15°C is recorded at an altitude of 500 metres above sea level. If the vertical temperature
gradient is that of a standard atmosphere, what will the temperature be at the summit of a mountain, 2500
metres above sea level?
a) +2°C
b) +4°C
c) 0°C
d) -2°C
50.1.2.1 (3298)
How would you characterise an air temperature of -15°C at the 700 hPa level over western Europe?
a) Low
b) High
c) Within +/-5°C of ISA
d) 20°C below standard
50.1.2.1 (3299)
How would you characterise an air temperature of -30°C at the 300 hPa level over western Europe?
a) High
How would you characterise an air temperature of -55°C at the 200 hPa level over
western Europe?
a) Within +/-5°C of ISA
b) High
c) Low
d) Very high
50.1.2.1 (3301)
In the lower part of the stratosphere the temperature
a) is almost constant
50.1.2.1 (3302)
Which is true of the temperature at the tropopause?
50.1.2.2 (3303)
Several physical processes contribute to atmospheric warming. Which of the following contribute the most ?
50.1.2.2 (3304)
Convective activity over land in mid-latitudes is greatest in
a) the surface of the earth, which heats the air in the troposphere
50.1.2.3 (3307)
A layer is conditionally unstable if the air
50.1.2.3 (3308)
Absolute instability exists whenever the environmental lapse rate
50.1.2.3 (3309)
In an air mass with no clouds the surface temperature is 15°C and 13°C at 1000m. This layer of air is:
a) stable
b) unstable
c) a layer of heavy turbulence
d) conditionally unstable
50.1.2.3 (3310)
The dry adiabatic lapse rate
50.1.2.3 (3311)
An air mass is called stable when
a) the vertical motion of rising air tends to become weaker and disappears
50.1.2.3 (3313)
From which of the following pieces of information can the stability of the atmosphere be derived?
b) Surface temperature
c) Dry adiabatic lapse rate
d) Pressure at the surface
50.1.2.3 (3314)
When in the upper part of a layer warm air is advected the
50.1.2.3 (3315)
An inversion is a layer of air which is
a) absolutely stable
b) absolutely unstable
c) conditionally unstable
d) conditionally stable
50.1.2.3 (3316)
The environmental lapse rate in an actual atmosphere
50.1.2.3 (3317)
The dry adiabatic lapse rate has a value of
a) 1°C/100m
b) 2°C/1000FT
c) 0.65°C/100m
d) 0.5°C/100m
50.1.2.3 (3318)
In still air the temperature decreases at an average of 1.2°C per 100 m increase in altitude. This temperature
change is called:
50.1.2.3 (3319)
The value of the saturated adiabatic lapse rate is closest to that of the dry adiabatic lapse rate in
a) cirrus
b) freezing fog
c) stratus
d) cumulus
50.1.2.4 (3320)
Which of the following is a common cause of ground or surface temperature inversion ?
b) Warm air being lifted rapidly aloft, in the vicinity of mountainous terrain.
c) The movement of colder air under warm air, or the movement of warm air over cold air.
d) Heating of the air by subsidence
50.1.2.4 (3321)
Which of the following is a common result of subsidence ?
50.1.2.4 (3322)
What is the technical term for an increase in temperature with altitude?
a) Inversion
b) Subsidence
c) Adiabatic
d) Advection
50.1.2.4 (3323)
What characteristic is associated with a temperature inversion ?
a) Stability
b) Instability
c) Clear ice
d) Area of active storms
50.1.2.4 (3324)
A significant inversion at low height is a characteristic of
a) nocturnal radiation
50.1.2.4 (3325)
An inversion is a layer of air in which the temperature
50.1.2.4 (3326)
An isothermal layer is a layer of air in which the temperature
50.1.2.5 (3328)
The diurnal variation in temperature is largest when the sky is
50.1.2.5 (3329)
Around Paris on January 3rd at 1800 UTC, the surface temperature, under shelter, is 3°C. The sky is covered by
8 oktas of stratus. QNH is 1033 hPa. If the sky is covered all night, the minimum temperature of the night of
January 3rd to January 4th should be
On a clear sky, continental ground surface, wind calm, the minimum temperature is reached approximately
50.1.3.1 (3331)
What positions are connected by isobars on the surface weather chart?
50.1.3.1 (3332)
The station pressure used in surface weather charts is
a) QFF
b) QFE
c) QNH
d) QNE
50.1.3.1 (3333)
The isobars drawn on a surface weather chart represent lines of equal pressure
b) at flight level
c) at height of observatory
d) at a determined density altitude
50.1.3.1 (3334)
Isobars on a surface chart are lines of equal
a) QFF
b) QFE
c) QNE
d) QNH
50.1.3.1 (3335)
(For this question use annex 050-10850A)The pressure distribution located mainly in square 2A is a
(For this question use annex 050-10784A)The pressure system at position ""D"" is a
a) col
b) secondary low
c) trough of low pressure
d) ridge of high pressure
50.1.3.2 (3337)
In the troposphere the decrease of pressure per 100 m increase in height
50.1.3.2 (3338)
What is the approximate vertical interval which is equal to a pressure change of 1 hPa at an altitude of 5500 m ?
a) 15 m (50 FT).
b) 8 m (27 FT).
c) 32 m (105 FT).
d) 64 m (210 FT).
50.1.3.2 (3339)
Which of the following is true concerning atmospheric pressure ?
50.1.3.2 (3340)
An isohypse (contour)
50.1.3.3 (3341)
In order to calculate QFE from QNH, which of the following must be known ?
The QFF at an airfield located 400 metres above sea level is 1016 hPa. The air temperature is 10°C higher than a
standard atmosphere. What is the QNH?
b) 1016 hPa
c) Less than 1016 hPa
d) It is not possible to give a definitive answer
50.1.3.3 (3343)
The QFF at an airfield located 400 metres above sea level is 1016 hPa. The air temperature is 10°C lower than a
standard atmosphere. What is the QNH?
50.1.3.3 (3344)
The QNH at an airfield located 200 metres above sea level is 1009 hPa. The air temperature is 10°C lower than a
standard atmosphere. What is the QFF?
b) 1009 hPa
c) Less than 1009 hPa
d) It is not possible to give a definitive answer
50.1.3.3 (3345)
The QNH at an airfield located 200 metres above sea level is 1022 hPa. The air temperature is not available.
What is the QFF?
50.1.3.3 (3346)
The QNH at an airfield located 0 metres above sea level is 1022 hPa. The air temperature is not available. What
is the QFF?
a) 1022 hPa
The QNH at an airfield in California located 69 metres below sea level is 1018 hPa. The air temperature is 10°C higher
than a standard atmosphere. What is the QFF?
c) 1018 hPa
d) It is not possible to give a definitive answer
50.1.3.3 (3348)
The QFF at an airfield in California located 69 metres below sea level is 1030 hPa. The air temperature is 10°C lower
than a standard atmosphere. What is the QNH?
50.1.3.3 (3349)
If the QFE at Locarno (200 metres above sea level) is 980 hPa, what is the approximate QNH ?
a) 1005 hPa
b) 1000 hPa
c) 1015 hPa
d) 1010 hPa
50.1.3.3 (3350)
If the QFE at Locarno (200 metres above sea level) is 1000 hPa, what is the approximate QNH?
a) 1025 hPa
b) 985 hPa
c) 990 hPa
d) 1035 hPa
50.1.3.3 (3351)
If the QNH at Locarno (200 metres above sea level) is 1015 hPa, what is the approximate QFE?(Assume 1hPa =
8m)
a) 990 hPa
b) 995 hPa
c) 1000 hPa
d) 1005 hPa
50.1.3.3 (3352)
If the QNH at Locarno (200 metres above sea level) is 1025 hPa, what is the approximate QFE?
a) 1000 hPa
b) 995 hPa
c) 1005 hPa
d) 1025 hPa
50.1.3.3 (3354)
In order to reduce QFE to QNH, which of the following item(s) must be known ?
50.1.4.1 (3355)
At FL 180, the air temperature is -35°C.The air density at this level is:
50.1.4.1 (3356)
Under what condition does pressure altitude have the same value as density altitude ?
a) At standard temperature.
50.1.4.1 (3357)
Half the mass of the atmosphere is found in the first
a) 5 km
b) 3 km
c) 8 km
d) 11 km
50.1.5.1 (3358)
a) -56.5°C
b) -273°C
c) -44.7°C
d) -100°C
50.1.5.1 (3359)
A 200 hPa pressure altitude level can vary in height. In temperate regions which of the following average
heights is applicable ?
a) FL 390.
b) FL 300.
c) FL 100.
d) FL 50.
50.1.5.1 (3360)
A 300 hPa pressure level can vary in height. In temperate regions which of the following average heights is
applicable ?
a) FL 300
b) FL 390
c) FL 100
d) FL 50
50.1.5.1 (3361)
A 500 hPa pressure level can vary in height. In temperate regions which of the following average heights is
applicable ?
a) FL 180
b) FL 160
c) FL 100
d) FL 390
50.1.5.1 (3362)
A 700 hPa pressure level can vary in height. In temperate regions which of the following average heights is
applicable ?
a) FL 100
b) FL 180
c) FL 300
d) FL 390
50.1.5.1 (3363)
A 850 hPa pressure level can vary in height. In temperate regions which of the following average heights is
applicable ?
a) FL 50
b) FL100
c) FL 300
d) FL 390
50.1.5.1 (3364)
If you are flying at FL 300 in an air mass that is 15°C warmer than a standard atmosphere, what is the outside
temperature likely to be?
a) -30°C
b) -45°C
c) -60°C
d) -15°C
50.1.5.1 (3365)
If you are flying at FL 100 in an air mass that is 10°C warmer than a standard atmosphere, what is the outside
temperature likely to be?
a) +5°C
b) +15°C
c) -10°C
d) -15°C
50.1.5.1 (3366)
If you are flying at FL 120 and the outside temperature is -2°C, at what altitude will the ""freezing level"" be?
a) FL 110
b) FL 130
c) FL 150
d) FL 90
50.1.5.1 (3367)
How does temperature vary with increasing altitude in the ICAO standard atmosphere below the tropopause?
a) Decreases
b) Increases
c) At first it increases and higher up it decreases
d) Remains constant
50.1.5.1 (3368)
What is the vertical temperature lapse rate, up to 11 km, in the standard ICAO atmosphere ?
50.1.5.1 (3369)
In the International Standard Atmosphere the decrease in temperature with height below 11 km is
50.1.5.1 (3370)
Which statement is correct regarding the International Standard Atmosphere ?
b) At MSL temperature is 15°C and the decrease in temperature with height is 1°C per 100m
c) At MSL temperature is 10°C and the decrease in temperature with height is 1°C per 100m
d) At MSL pressure is 1013.25 hPa and the decrease of temperature with height is 1°C per 100m
50.1.5.1 (3371)
In what hPa range is an upper weather chart for FL 340 situated?
50.1.5.1 (3372)
The temperature at 10000 FT in the International Standard Atmosphere is :
a) -5°C
b) 0°C
c) -20°C
d) -35°C
50.1.5.1 (3373)
The rate of decrease of temperature with height per 100 m in the International Standard Atmosphere is :
a) 0.65°C
b) 1°C
c) 0.5°C
d) variable
50.1.6.1 (3374)
The QNH of an airport at sea level is 983 hPa and the temperature deviation from ISA is -15°C below FL
100.What is the true altitude of FL 100?
a) 8590 FT.
b) 10210 FT.
c) 9790 FT.
d) 11410 FT.
50.1.6.1 (3375)
You plan a flight over a mountain range at a true altitude of 15000 FT/AMSL. The air is on an average 15°C
colder than ISA, the pressure at sea level is 1003 hPa. What indication must the altimeter (setting 1013.2 hPa)
read?
a) 16230 FT.
b) 15690 FT.
c) 14370 FT.
d) 13830 FT.
50.1.6.1 (3376)
During a flight at FL 100 from Marseille (QNH 1012 hPa) to Palma de Mallorca (QNH 1015 hPa), an aircraft
remains at a constant true altitude. The reason for this is that :
50.1.6.1 (3377)
You intend to overfly a mountain range. The recommended minimum flight altitude is, according to the aviation
chart, 15000 FT/AMSL. The air mass that you will fly through is on average 15°C warmer than the standard
atmosphere. The altimeter is set to QNH (1023 hPa). At what altimeter reading will you effectively be at the
recommended minimum flight altitude?
a) 14100 FT.
b) 13830 FT.
c) 14370 FT.
d) 15900 FT.
50.1.6.1 (3378)
You are flying at FL 130, and your true altitude is 12000 FT. What is the temperature deviation from that of the
standard atmosphere at FL 130 (QNH 1013,2 hPa) ?
a) ISA -20°C
b) ISA +/-0°C
c) ISA +20°C
d) ISA +12°C
50.1.6.1 (3379)
An aircraft flying at FL 100 from Marseille (QNH 1012 hPa) to Palma de Mallorca
(QNH 1006 hPa) experiences no change to true altitude. The reason for this is that :
50.1.6.1 (3380)
During a flight over the sea at FL 100 from Marseille (QNH 1012 hPa) to Palma de Mallorca (QNH 1012 hPa), the
true altitude is constantly increasing. What action, if any, should be taken ?
a) None, the reason for the change is that the air around Palma is warmer than the air around Marseille
b) Have your altimeter checked, because its readings are obviously wrong
c) Recheck the QNH because one of the QNH values must be wrong
d) Compensate by heading further to the left
50.1.6.1 (3381)
During a flight over the sea at FL 100 from Marseille (QNH 1016 hPa) to Palma de Mallorca (QNH 1016 hPa), the
true altitude is constantly decreasing. What is the probable reason for this ?
50.1.6.1 (3382)
During a flight over the sea at FL 135, the true altitude is 13500 feet, local QNH is 1019 hPa. What information, if
any, can be gained about the air mass in which the aircraft is flying?
50.1.6.1 (3383)
An aircraft is flying over the sea at FL 90, the true altitude is 9100 feet, local QNH is unknown. What
assumption, if any, can be made about the air mass in which the aircraft is flying ?
An aircraft is flying over the sea at FL 120, with a true altitude of 12000 feet, local QNH is 1013 hPa. What
assumption, if any, can be made about the air mass in which the aircraft is flying ?
50.1.6.1 (3385)
An aircraft is flying over the sea at FL 100, with a true altitude of 10000 feet, local QNH is 1003 hPa. What
assumption, if any, can be made about the air mass in which the aircraft is flying ?
50.1.6.1 (3386)
An aircraft is flying through the Alps on a very cold winter's day. The regional QNH is 1013 hPa. During the
flight, you circle around a mountain at an altitude of its summit. What reading will the aneroid altimeter give,
compared to the elevation of the summit?
50.1.6.1 (3387)
An aircraft is flying through the Alps on a warm summer's day. The weather is fine, and there is a high pressure
system in the area. During the flight, a mountain is passed at an altitude of its summit. What reading will the
aneroid altimeter give, compared to the summit's elevation?
50.1.6.1 (3388)
(For this question use annex 050-4246A)An aircraft is flying from Point A to Point B on the upper level contour
chart. The altimeter setting is 1013,2 hPa. Which of these statements is correct?
50.1.6.1 (3390)
(For this question use annex 050-4248A)An aircraft is flying from Point A to Point B on the upper level contour
chart. The altimeter setting is 1013,2 hPa. Which of these statements is correct?
50.1.6.1 (3391)
(For this question use annex 050-4249A)An aircraft is flying from Point A to Point B on the upper level contour
chart. The altimeter setting is 1013,2 hPa. Which of these statements is correct?
50.1.6.1 (3392)
You are flying at FL 200. Outside air temperature is -40°C, and the pressure at sea level is 1033 hPa. What is the
true altitude?
a) 19340 feet
b) 20660 feet
c) 21740 feet
d) 18260 feet
50.1.6.1 (3393)
You are flying at FL 160. Outside air temperature is -27°C, and the pressure at sea level is 1003 hPa. What is the
true altitude?
a) 15090 feet
b) 15630 feet
c) 16370 feet
d) 16910 feet
50.1.6.1 (3394)
You are planning to fly across a mountain range. The chart recommends a minimum altitude of 12000 feet
above mean sea level. The air mass you will be flying through is an average 10°C warmer than ISA. Your
altimeter is set to 1023 hPa (QNH of a nearby airport at nearly sea level). What altitude will the altimeter show
when you have reached the recommended minimum altitude?
a) 11520 feet
b) 12210 feet
c) 11250 feet
d) 11790 feet
50.1.6.1 (3395)
Which of the following conditions would cause the altimeter to indicate a lower altitude than that actually
flown ?
50.1.6.1 (3396)
The pressure altitude is equal to the true altitude if
50.1.6.1 (3397)
The following temperatures have been observed over a station at 1200 UTC. Assume the station is at MSL.
Height in feet. Temperature in degrees C. 20000.-12 18000.-11 16000.-10 14000.-10 12000.-6 10000.-2 8000. +2
6000. +6 4000. +12 2000. +15 surface+15.
a) Assuming that the MSL pressure is 1013.25 hPa the true altitude of an aircraft would actually be higher than
the indicated altitude.
b) The height of the freezing level over the station is approximately 12000 FT.
c) The temperature at 10000 FT is in agreement with the temperature in the International Standard Atmosphere.
50.1.6.1 (3398)
Assume that an aircraft is flying in the northern hemisphere at the 500 hPa pressure surface on a heading of
270 degrees. Which of the following statements is correct?
a) If in this pressure surface the wind comes from the direction 360 degrees, then true altitude is increasing
b) If in this pressure surface the wind comes from the direction 180 degrees, then true altitude is increasing
c) If in this pressure surface the wind comes from the direction 270 degrees, then true altitude is increasing
d) If in this pressure surface the wind comes from the direction 090 degrees, then true altitude is increasing
50.1.6.1 (3399)
An aircraft is flying at FL 180 on the northern hemisphere with a crosswind from the left. Which of the following
is correct concerning its true altitude ?
a) It decreases
b) It increases
c) It remains constant
d) Without knowing temperatures at FL 180 this question can not be answered.
50.1.6.3 (3400)
What is the relationship, if any, between QFE and QNH at an airport situated 50 FT below sea level?
50.1.6.3 (3401)
An aircraft lands at an airport (airport elevation 1240 FT, QNH 1008 hPa). The altimeter is set to 1013 hPa. The
altimeter will indicate :
a) 1375 FT.
b) 1200 FT.
c) 1105 FT.
d) 1280 FT.
50.1.6.3 (3402)
After landing at an aerodrome (aerodrome elevation 1715 FT), the altimeter indicates an altitude of 1310 FT. The
altimeter is set to the pressure value of 1013 hPa. What is the QNH at this aerodrome?
a) 1028 hPa.
b) 1015 hPa.
c) 1013 hPa.
d) 998 hPa.
50.1.6.3 (3403)
An aircraft is descending to land under IFR. If the local QNH is 1009 hPa, what will happen to the altitude
reading when the altimeter is reset at the transition level ?
a) It will decrease
b) It will increase
c) It will remain the same
d) It will not be affected
50.1.6.3 (3404)
After landing at an aerodrome (QNH 993 hPa) it is noticed that the altimeter is still set to 1013,2 hPa and that it
reads 1200 feet. What is the elevation of the aerodrome above mean sea level ?
a) 660 feet.
b) 1200 feet.
c) 1740 feet.
d) 2280 feet.
50.1.6.3 (3405)
During the climb after take-off, the altimeter setting is adjusted at the transition altitude. If the local QNH is
1023 hPa, what will happen to the altimeter reading during the resetting procedure ?
a) It will decrease
b) It will increase
c) It will remain the same
d) It is not possible to give a definitive answer
50.1.6.3 (3406)
During the climb after takeoff, the altimeter setting is adjusted at the transition altitude. If the local QNH is 966
hPa, what will happen to the altimeter reading during the resetting procedure?
a) It will increase
b) It will decrease
c) It will remain the same
d) It is not possible to give a definitive answer