FTT 111 9352 UPDATED ACTUAL
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM SCRIPT 2026
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GUARANTEED TO
PASS
◉ Standing Lenticular Altocumulus Clouds. Answer: -Indicates very
strong turbulence (AVOID)
-Formed on crest of waves created by barriers in windflow
-Show little movement
-Winds are very strong flowing through
-Smooth, polished edges
◉ Cumulonimbus Clouds. Answer: -Thunderstorm clouds
-Most dangerous type of cloud
-Form continuous lines called Non-Frontal Bands or Squal Lines
-Extremely Turbulent - Significant Hazard
◉ Thunder Storm Lifecycle. Answer: 3 Stages (All T-Storms start as
Cumulonimbus)
1) Cumulus Stage: Updraft from near surface of cloud (AND, cold
downdrafts); Top may exceed 3,000 ft. per minute; (NO UAS OPS)
,2) Mature Stage: Precipitation falls @ cloud base; Downdraft
developed @ 2, 500 ft per minute; Strong, gusty surface winds
3) Dissipating Stage: Downdrafts characterize stage and storm dies
rapidly; Once rain ends, downdrafts are abated
◉ Dew and Frost. Answer: -On cool, clear, calm nights, temperature
of ground & objects can cause temps of air to drop below the dew
point; Moisture condenses onto the ground, objects, buildings, etc.
(Dew)
-If temps are below freezing, it forms Frost
-Frost poses Flight Safety Hazard because it disrupts
flow of air over wings; reduces lift, increasing drag
-Small UAS should be thoroughly cleaned & free of frost prior to
flight
◉ Atmospheric Stability. Answer: -Depends on ability to resist
vertical motion
,-Stable Atmosphere: Vertical movement is difficult; Small vertical
movements dampen out & disappear
-Unstable Atmosphere: Small vertical air movements become larger
which creates turbulence; Can lead to significant turbulence;
extensive vertical clouds & severe weather
◉ Effects of Microburst on a Small UAS. Answer: -NOTE: Often
unreported or undetected
1) Performance: Increasing head wind;
2) Followed by Decreasing Performance and downdraft;
3) Followed by Rapidly Increasing Tail Winds
NOTE: Could force a UAS to the ground
◉ Microburst (wind shear). Answer: -SERIOUSLY DEGRADES
PERFORMANCE
-Most severe type of low level wind shear
, -Associated with connective precipitation with dry air at the cloud
base
-May be indicated by : 1) Intense rain shaft at surface; 2) with a
Virga at the cloud base ( precip w/ evaporates at cloud base), 3) and
a Ring of Blowing Dust
-Typically: Horizontal diameter of 1 - 2 miles, with depth of 1,000 ft
for 5 - 15 minutes, with down drafts up to 6000 ft per minute, AND
head wind losses up to 30 - 90 knots.
◉ Effects of Moisture & Temperature on Atmospheric Stability.
Answer: - Cool, Dry Air = Stable, resists vertical movement; Leads to
good and clear weather
- Moist, Warm Air = Creates greatest instability (Tropical Weather)
◉ Structural Icing. Answer: -Aircraft must be flying through visible
water (rain/cloud droplets)
-Temperature @ point where moisture strikes the aircraft must be 0
degrees Celsius or colder
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM SCRIPT 2026
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GUARANTEED TO
PASS
◉ Standing Lenticular Altocumulus Clouds. Answer: -Indicates very
strong turbulence (AVOID)
-Formed on crest of waves created by barriers in windflow
-Show little movement
-Winds are very strong flowing through
-Smooth, polished edges
◉ Cumulonimbus Clouds. Answer: -Thunderstorm clouds
-Most dangerous type of cloud
-Form continuous lines called Non-Frontal Bands or Squal Lines
-Extremely Turbulent - Significant Hazard
◉ Thunder Storm Lifecycle. Answer: 3 Stages (All T-Storms start as
Cumulonimbus)
1) Cumulus Stage: Updraft from near surface of cloud (AND, cold
downdrafts); Top may exceed 3,000 ft. per minute; (NO UAS OPS)
,2) Mature Stage: Precipitation falls @ cloud base; Downdraft
developed @ 2, 500 ft per minute; Strong, gusty surface winds
3) Dissipating Stage: Downdrafts characterize stage and storm dies
rapidly; Once rain ends, downdrafts are abated
◉ Dew and Frost. Answer: -On cool, clear, calm nights, temperature
of ground & objects can cause temps of air to drop below the dew
point; Moisture condenses onto the ground, objects, buildings, etc.
(Dew)
-If temps are below freezing, it forms Frost
-Frost poses Flight Safety Hazard because it disrupts
flow of air over wings; reduces lift, increasing drag
-Small UAS should be thoroughly cleaned & free of frost prior to
flight
◉ Atmospheric Stability. Answer: -Depends on ability to resist
vertical motion
,-Stable Atmosphere: Vertical movement is difficult; Small vertical
movements dampen out & disappear
-Unstable Atmosphere: Small vertical air movements become larger
which creates turbulence; Can lead to significant turbulence;
extensive vertical clouds & severe weather
◉ Effects of Microburst on a Small UAS. Answer: -NOTE: Often
unreported or undetected
1) Performance: Increasing head wind;
2) Followed by Decreasing Performance and downdraft;
3) Followed by Rapidly Increasing Tail Winds
NOTE: Could force a UAS to the ground
◉ Microburst (wind shear). Answer: -SERIOUSLY DEGRADES
PERFORMANCE
-Most severe type of low level wind shear
, -Associated with connective precipitation with dry air at the cloud
base
-May be indicated by : 1) Intense rain shaft at surface; 2) with a
Virga at the cloud base ( precip w/ evaporates at cloud base), 3) and
a Ring of Blowing Dust
-Typically: Horizontal diameter of 1 - 2 miles, with depth of 1,000 ft
for 5 - 15 minutes, with down drafts up to 6000 ft per minute, AND
head wind losses up to 30 - 90 knots.
◉ Effects of Moisture & Temperature on Atmospheric Stability.
Answer: - Cool, Dry Air = Stable, resists vertical movement; Leads to
good and clear weather
- Moist, Warm Air = Creates greatest instability (Tropical Weather)
◉ Structural Icing. Answer: -Aircraft must be flying through visible
water (rain/cloud droplets)
-Temperature @ point where moisture strikes the aircraft must be 0
degrees Celsius or colder
