ATSC 113 - Flying Weather Examination sample prep
Questions and Answers; certified for accuracy 2025/2026
Mean free path - correct answer the average distance between two
molecules
Actual vs standard atmosphere - correct answer the actual temperature
structure is never the average condition reported by standard atmosphere
(affected by location, season, time, weather conditions)
Atmospheric Stability - correct answer refers to whether the air will
become or stay turbulent (unstable static stability) or will become or stay
non-turbulent (stable static stability)
Laminar - correct answer non-turbulent
Turbulence range - correct answer small eddies caused by air flow around
a tree or obstacle - medium-size eddies associated with rising thermals -
large-scale instability from thunderstorms (all scales affect aircraft)
Statically stable - correct answer cool (heavy) layer of air is under warmer
(lighter) layer; if no wind shear, it is also non-turbulent
Statically unstable - correct answer cooler (heavier) air is above warmer
(lighter) air; cooler air starts to sink, warmer air rises as thermals; causes
complex turbulence
, Adiabatic lapse rate - correct answer the rate at which atmospheric
temperature decreases with increasing altitude in conditions of thermal
equilibrium
How do statically stable conditions affect aviation weather - correct
answer air is usually non-turbulent (unless there's wind shear), if air is
forced over a mountain, it can cause a mountain wave, cold air near the
ground can drain downhill into a valley causing frost or fog, wind shear can
cause turbulence and breaking K-H waves
How does static stability form - correct answer typically forms near the
ground at night under clear skies with calm-to-light winds, when the ground
temperature decreases, and the ground cools the air that touches it
How do statically neutral conditions form - correct answer typically forms
in overcast conditions (day or night) when the wind is moderate or strong
How do statically neutral conditions affect aviation weather - correct
answer air can be non-turbulent, but the slightest wind shear can create
dynamic instability and turbulence; neutral air hitting a mountain creates
obstacle wake turbulence downwind of the mountain
How do statically unstable conditions form - correct answer typically
occurs in sunny days over land when the average winds are relatively light
and when the sun heats the land and the land warms the bottom layer of air
How do statically unstable conditions affect aviation weather - correct
answer convective boundary layer; cumulus clouds might form at the top of
the thermals; if unstable air extends over most of the depth of the
troposphere, thunderstorms can form
Questions and Answers; certified for accuracy 2025/2026
Mean free path - correct answer the average distance between two
molecules
Actual vs standard atmosphere - correct answer the actual temperature
structure is never the average condition reported by standard atmosphere
(affected by location, season, time, weather conditions)
Atmospheric Stability - correct answer refers to whether the air will
become or stay turbulent (unstable static stability) or will become or stay
non-turbulent (stable static stability)
Laminar - correct answer non-turbulent
Turbulence range - correct answer small eddies caused by air flow around
a tree or obstacle - medium-size eddies associated with rising thermals -
large-scale instability from thunderstorms (all scales affect aircraft)
Statically stable - correct answer cool (heavy) layer of air is under warmer
(lighter) layer; if no wind shear, it is also non-turbulent
Statically unstable - correct answer cooler (heavier) air is above warmer
(lighter) air; cooler air starts to sink, warmer air rises as thermals; causes
complex turbulence
, Adiabatic lapse rate - correct answer the rate at which atmospheric
temperature decreases with increasing altitude in conditions of thermal
equilibrium
How do statically stable conditions affect aviation weather - correct
answer air is usually non-turbulent (unless there's wind shear), if air is
forced over a mountain, it can cause a mountain wave, cold air near the
ground can drain downhill into a valley causing frost or fog, wind shear can
cause turbulence and breaking K-H waves
How does static stability form - correct answer typically forms near the
ground at night under clear skies with calm-to-light winds, when the ground
temperature decreases, and the ground cools the air that touches it
How do statically neutral conditions form - correct answer typically forms
in overcast conditions (day or night) when the wind is moderate or strong
How do statically neutral conditions affect aviation weather - correct
answer air can be non-turbulent, but the slightest wind shear can create
dynamic instability and turbulence; neutral air hitting a mountain creates
obstacle wake turbulence downwind of the mountain
How do statically unstable conditions form - correct answer typically
occurs in sunny days over land when the average winds are relatively light
and when the sun heats the land and the land warms the bottom layer of air
How do statically unstable conditions affect aviation weather - correct
answer convective boundary layer; cumulus clouds might form at the top of
the thermals; if unstable air extends over most of the depth of the
troposphere, thunderstorms can form
