ATSC 113: MIDTERM EXAM QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS

ATSC 113: MIDTERM EXAM QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS Lenticular (mountain-wave) clouds - Answer-Indicate vertical wind oscillations and possible mountain-wave turbulence. Sailplanes like the updraft portion of the waves, because they can "surf" the wave and fly very long horizontal distances. Commercial aircraft hate the waves because they often mean a very bumpy ride at all altitudes for the whole time while flying over the mountains. Pileus - Answer-Form over fast-growing cumulus clouds. Interesting to watch, but they are harmless, and don't affect flying, sailing or snow sports. Pyrocumulus - Answer-Form over forest fires and volcanoes. Indicate a forest fire so strong that the heat and moisture released can make a thunderstorm in the smoke. Rotor Clouds - Answer-Indicate severe or extreme turbulence at low altitudes due to mountain waves. The rotors can break off aircraft wings and cause pilots to lose control of their aircraft during take-off and landing. Can also affect sailors if the rotors occur over water (lakes or coastal regions) downwind of mountains. Wind shear - Answer-change of wind speed or direction Clear air turbulence (CAT) - Answer-moderate to strong bumps Above Ground level (AGL) - Answer- Broken - Answer-Refer to graph Ceiling - Answer-For aviation, the altitude of cloud base for the lowest cloud with coverage ≥ 5 oktas (i.e. lowest broken or overcast clouds) is considered the ceiling Cloud Amount - Answer-The fraction of the sky (celestial dome) covered by cloud is called sky cover, cloud cover, or cloud amount Cloud Cover - Answer-The fraction of the sky (celestial dome) covered by cloud is called sky cover, cloud cover, or cloud amount IFR - Answer-Instrument Flight Rules mean that you can conduct most of the flight by NOT looking out the window. METARs - Answer-Meteorological Aviation Reports Oktas - Answer-Eighths of the sky covered Overcast - Answer-Refer to graph