ATSC 113 FLYING questions with correct answers

what are the two types of clouds - Answer normal and special what are the two types of normal clouds - Answer CU and ST convective/cumiliform (CU) = clouds that look like a stack of cotton balls and are associated with updrafts Layer/stratiform (ST) = clouds that look like sheets or blankets and can extend hundreds of km horizontally how do convective/cumiliform (CU) clouds form (normal clouds type 1) - Answer CU clouds form when warm humid air rises through cooler surrounding air in the atmosphere, and the buoyancy with the warm air drives strong updrafts. This happens often when the air near the ground is colder than the actual surface of the earth/ocean and the warm air rises. what are the characteristics of convective/cumiliform (CU) clouds - Answer - mostly flat bases and somewhat near the ground - come in four sizes - associated with updrafts - used by birds and sailplanes who use the updrafts for a free lift - can have weak downdrafts that cause some turbulence