Exam quiz Meteorology - SPL - Sailplane Pilot License

Question 1

What phenomenon is caused by cold air downdrafts with precipitation from a fully developed thunderstorm cloud?

Accepted Answer

Gust front

Answer

Electrical discharge

Answer

Anvil-head top of Cb cloud

Answer

Freezing Rain

Question 2

Which processes result in decreasing air density?

Accepted Answer

Increasing temperature, decreasing pressure

Answer

Decreasing temperature, increasing pressure

Answer

Increasing temperature, increasing pressure

Answer

Decreasing temperature, decreasing pressure

Question 3

What information is NOT found on Low-Level Significant Weather Charts (LLSWC)?

Accepted Answer

Radar echos of precipitation

Answer

Information about icing conditions

Answer

Front lines and frontal displacements

Answer

Information about turbulence areas

Question 4

What phenomenon is referred to as "blue thermals"?

Accepted Answer

Thermals without formation of Cu clouds

Answer

Thermals with less than 4/8 Cu coverage

Answer

Descending air between Cumulus clouds

Answer

Turbulence in the vicinity of Cumulonimbus clouds

Question 5

Which stage of a thunderstorm is dominated by updrafts?

Accepted Answer

Cumulus stage

Answer

Dissipating stage

Answer

Mature stage

Answer

Upwind stage

Question 6

What frontal line divides subtropical air from polar cold air, in particular across Central Europe?

Accepted Answer

Polar front

Answer

Warm front

Answer

Cold front

Answer

Occlusion

Question 7

"Foehn" conditions usually develop with...

Accepted Answer

Stability, widespread air blown against a mountain ridge.

Answer

Instability, high pressure area with calm wind.

Answer

Stability, high pressure area with calm wind.

Answer

Instability, widespread air blown against a mountain ridge.

Question 8

With regard to thunderstorms, strong up- and downdrafts appear during the...

Accepted Answer

Mature stage

Answer

Dissipating stage

Answer

Initial stage

Answer

Thunderstorm stage

Question 9

What process causes latent heat being released into the upper troposphere?

Accepted Answer

Cloud forming due to condensation

Answer

Descending air across widespread areas

Answer

Evaporation over widespread water areas

Answer

Stabilisation of inflowing air masses

Question 10

What weather is likely to be experienced during "Foehn" in the Bavarian area close to the alps?

Accepted Answer

Nimbostratus cloud in the southern alps, rotor clouds at the lee side, warm and dry wind

Answer

Cold, humid downhill wind on the lee side of the alps, flat pressure pattern

Answer

High pressure area overhead Biscay and low pressure area in Eastern Europe

Answer

Nimbostratus cloud in the northern alps, rotor clouds at the windward side, warm and dry wind

Question 11

What wind conditions can be expected in areas showing large distances between isobars?

Accepted Answer

Variable winds, formation of local wind systems

Answer

Strong prevailing westerly winds with rapid veering

Answer

Strong prevailing easterly winds with rapid backing

Answer

Formation of local wind systems with strong prevailing westerly winds

Question 12

What is the usual direction of movement of a polar front low?

Accepted Answer

Parallel to the warm-sector isobars

Answer

To the northeast during winter, to the southeast during summer

Answer

Parallel to the warm front line to the south

Answer

To the northwest during winter, to the southwest during summer

Question 13

The movement of air flowing apart is called...

Accepted Answer

Divergence.

Answer

Convergence.

Answer

Concordence.

Answer

Subsidence.

Question 14

The barometric altimeter with QNH setting indicates...

Accepted Answer

Height above MSL

Answer

True altitude above MSL.

Answer

Height above the pressure level at airfield elevation.

Answer

Height above standard pressure 1013.25 hPa.

Question 15

When air masses meet each other head on, how is this referred to and what air movements will follow?

Accepted Answer

Convergence resulting in air being lifted

Answer

Divergence resulting in air being lifted

Answer

Convergence resulting in sinking air

Answer

Divergence resulting in sinking air

Question 16

How do dew point and relative humidity change with decreasing temperature?

Accepted Answer

Dew point remains constant, relative humidity increases

Answer

Dew point decreases, relative humidity increases

Answer

Dew point increases, relative humidity decreases

Answer

Dew point remains constant, relative humidity decreases

Question 17

Under which conditions "back side weather" ("Rückseitenwetter") can be expected?

Accepted Answer

After passing of a cold front

Answer

Before passing of an occlusion

Answer

During Foehn at the lee side

Answer

After passing of a warm front

Question 18

The "spread" is defined as...

Accepted Answer

Difference between actual temperature and dew point.

Answer

Difference between dew point and condensation point.

Answer

Relation of actual to maximum possible humidity of air

Answer

Maximum amount of water vapour that can be contained in air.

Question 19

What information can be obtained from satellite images?

Accepted Answer

Overview of cloud covers and front lines

Answer

Turbulence and icing

Answer

Temperature and dew point of environmental air

Answer

Flight visibility, ground visibility, and ground contact

Question 20

What is meant by "isothermal layer"?

Accepted Answer

An atmospheric layer with constant temperature with increasing height

Answer

An atmospheric layer where temperature decreases with increasing height

Answer

A boundary area between two other layers within the atmosphere

Answer

An atmospheric layer where temperature increases with increasing height

Question 21

How does inflowing cold air affect the shape and vertical distance between pressure layers?

Accepted Answer

Decrease in vertical distance, lowering in height (low pressure)

Answer

Increasing vertical distance, raise in height (high pressure)

Answer

Decreasing vertical distance, raise in height (high pressure)

Answer

Increase in vertical distance, lowering in height (low pressure)

Question 22

What situation is called "over-development" in a weather report?

Accepted Answer

Vertical development of Cumulus clouds to rain showers

Answer

Change from blue thermals to cloudy thermals during the afternoon

Answer

Development of a thermal low to a storm depression

Answer

Widespread spreading of Cumulus clouds below an inversion layer

Question 23

The temperature lapse rate with increasing height within the troposphere according to ISA is...

Accepted Answer

0,65° C / 100 m.

Answer

1° C / 100 m.

Answer

0,6° C / 100 m.

Answer

3° C / 100 m.

Question 24

Moderate to severe turbulence has to be expected...

Accepted Answer

On the lee side of a mountain range when rotor clouds are present.

Answer

Below thick cloud layers on the windward side of a mountain range.

Answer

Overhead unbroken cloud layers.

Answer

With the appearance of extended low stratus clouds (high fog).

Question 25

Light turbulence always has to be expected...

Accepted Answer

Below cumulus clouds due to thermal convection.

Answer

Above cumulus clouds due to thermal convection.

Answer

Below stratiform clouds in medium layers.

Answer

When entering inversions.

Question 26

The term "trigger temperature" is defined as the temperature which...

Accepted Answer

Must be obtained at ground level so Cumulus clouds can be formed by thermal lifts.

Answer

Is reached by a thermal lift during ascend when formation of Cumulus clouds begins.

Answer

Is the maximum temperature at ground level that can be reached without formation of a thunderstorm from a Cumulus cloud.

Answer

Is the minimum temperature at ground level that has to be reached so formation of a thunderstorm from a Cumulus cloud can occur.

Question 27

The term "beginning of thermals" refers to the moment when thermal intensity...

Accepted Answer

Becomes usable for gliding and reaches up to 600 m AGL.

Answer

Becomes usable for cross-country gliding by formation of Cu clouds.

Answer

Becomes usable for gliding and reaches up to 1200 m MSL.

Answer

Reaches up to 600 m AGL and forms Cumulus clouds.

Question 28

How is an air mass described when moving to Central Europe via the Russian continent during winter?

Accepted Answer

Continental polar air

Answer

Maritime tropical air

Answer

Maritime polar air

Answer

Continental tropical air

Question 29

Clouds are basically distinguished by what types?

Accepted Answer

Cumulus and stratiform clouds

Answer

Thunderstorm and shower clouds

Answer

Stratiform and ice clouds

Answer

Layered and lifted clouds

Question 30

Which force causes "wind"?

Accepted Answer

Pressure gradient force

Answer

Centrifugal force

Answer

Coriolis force

Answer

Thermal force

Question 31

What cloud type does the picture show? See figure (MET-004).

Accepted Answer

Cirrus

Answer

Altocumulus

Answer

Cumulus

Answer

Stratus

Question 32

What temperatures are most dangerous with respect to airframe icing?

Accepted Answer

0° to -12° C

Answer

+20° to -5° C

Answer

-20° to -40° C

Answer

.+5° to -10° C

Question 33

What visual flight conditions can be expected after the passage of a cold front?

Accepted Answer

Good visibility, formation of cumulus clouds with showers of rain or snow

Answer

Poor visibility, formation of overcast or ground-covering stratus clouds, snow

Answer

Scattered cloud layers, visibility more than 5 km, formation of shallow cumulus clouds

Answer

Medium visibility with lowering cloud bases, onset of prolonged precipitation

Question 34

Regarding the type of cloud, precipitation is classified as...

Accepted Answer

Rain and showers of rain

Answer

Showers of snow and rain

Answer

Prolonged rain and continuous rain

Answer

Light and heavy precipitation

Question 35

What weather development will result from convergence at ground level?

Accepted Answer

Ascending air and cloud formation

Answer

Descending air and cloud dissipation

Answer

Ascending air and cloud dissipation

Answer

Descending air and cloud formation

Question 36

What pressure pattern can be observed when a cold front is passing?

Accepted Answer

Shortly decreasing, thereafter increasing pressure

Answer

Continually increasing pressure

Answer

Continually decreasing pressure

Answer

Constant pressure pattern

Question 37

The symbol labeled (3) as shown in the picture is a / an... See figure (MET-005)

Accepted Answer

Occlusion

Answer

Cold front

Answer

Warm front

Answer

Front aloft

Question 38

How does air temperature change in ISA from MSL to approx. 10.000 m height?

Accepted Answer

From +15° to -50°C

Answer

From +30° to -40°C

Answer

From +20° to -40°C

Answer

From -15° to 50°C

Question 39

What kind of reduction in visibility is not very sensitive to changes in temperature?

Accepted Answer

Haze (HZ)

Answer

Radiation fog (FG)

Answer

Mist (BR)

Answer

Patches of fog (BCFG)

Question 40

Heavy downdrafts and strong wind shear close to the ground can be expected...

Accepted Answer

Near the rainfall areas of heavy showers or thunderstorms

Answer

During approach to an airfield at the coast with a strong sea breeze

Answer

During cold, clear nights with the formation of radiation fog

Answer

During warm summer days with high, flatted Cu clouds

Question 41

The symbol labeled (2) as shown in the picture is a / an... See figure (MET-005)

Accepted Answer

Warm front

Answer

Front aloft

Answer

Cold front

Answer

Occlusion

Question 42

Above the friction layer, with a prevailing pressure gradient, the wind direction is...

Accepted Answer

Parallel to the isobars.

Answer

At an angle of 30° to the isobars towards low pressure.

Answer

Perpendicular to the isobars.

Answer

Perpendicular to the isohypses.

Question 43

The altimeter can be checked on the ground by setting...

Accepted Answer

QNH and comparing the indication with the airfield elevation.

Answer

QFF and comparing the indication with the airfield elevation.

Answer

QFE and comparing the indication with the airfield elevation.

Answer

QNE and checking that the indication shows zero on the ground.

Question 44

What weather phenomena have to be expected around an upper-level trough?

Accepted Answer

Development of showers and thunderstorms (Cb)

Answer

Calm weather, formation of lifted fog layers

Answer

Calm wind, forming of shallow cumulus clouds

Answer

Formation of high stratus clouds, ground-covering cloud bases

Question 45

With other factors remaining constant, decreasing temperature results in...

Accepted Answer

Decreasing spread and increasing relative humidity.

Answer

Increasing spread and increasing relative humidity.

Answer

Decreasing spread and decreasing relative humidity.

Answer

Increasing spread and decreasing relative humidity.

Question 46

What type of turbulence is typically found close to the ground on the lee side during Foehn conditions?

Accepted Answer

Turbulence in rotors

Answer

Clear-air turbulence (CAT)

Answer

Inversion turbulence

Answer

Thermal turbulence

Question 47

The saturated adiabatic lapse rate should be assumed with a mean value of:

Accepted Answer

0,6° C / 100 m.

Answer

1,0° C / 100 m.

Answer

2° C / 1000 ft.

Answer

0° C / 100 m.

Question 48

Which of the stated surfaces will reduce the wind speed most due to ground friction?

Accepted Answer

Mountainous areas, vegetation cover

Answer

Flat land, lots of vegetation cover

Answer

Flat land, deserted land, no vegetation

Answer

Oceanic areas

Question 49

Clouds in high layers are referred to as...

Accepted Answer

Cirro-.

Answer

Strato-.

Answer

Nimbo-.

Answer

Alto-.

Question 50

A boundary between a cold polar air mass and a warm subtropical air mass showing no horizontal displacement is called...

Accepted Answer

Stationary front

Answer

Cold front

Answer

Warm front

Answer

Occluded front

Question 51

Which weather chart shows the actual air pressure as in MSL along with pressure centres and fronts?

Accepted Answer

Surface weather chart

Answer

Wind chart

Answer

Prognostic chart

Answer

Hypsometric chart

Question 52

With regard to global circulation within the atmosphere, where does polar cold air meet subtropical warm air?

Accepted Answer

At the polar front

Answer

At the equator

Answer

At the subtropical high pressure belt

Answer

At the geographic poles

Question 53

What weather conditions can be expected in high pressure areas during summer?

Accepted Answer

Calm weather and cloud dissipation, few high Cu

Answer

Changing weather with passing of frontal lines

Answer

Squall lines and thunderstorms

Answer

Calm winds and widespread areas with high fog

Question 54

What type of fog emerges if humid and almost saturated air, is forced to rise upslope of hills or shallow mountains by the prevailing wind?

Accepted Answer

Orographic fog

Answer

Advection fog

Answer

Steaming fog

Answer

Radiation fog

Question 55

What change of wind direction can be expected during the passage of a polar front low in Central Europe?

Accepted Answer

Veering wind during passage of the warm front, veering wind during passage of the cold front

Answer

Backing wind during passage of the warm front, veering wind during passage of the cold front

Answer

Veering wind during passage of the warm front, backing wind during passage of the cold front

Answer

Backing wind during passage of the warm front, backing wind during passage of the cold front

Question 56

Temperatures will be given by meteorological aviation services in Europe in which unit?

Accepted Answer

Degrees Centigrade (° C)

Answer

Gpdam

Answer

Kelvin

Answer

Degrees Fahrenheit

Question 57

The formation of medium to large precipitation particles requires...

Accepted Answer

Strong updrafts

Answer

An inversion layer

Answer

A high cloud base

Answer

Strong wind

Question 58

In a METAR, "heavy rain" is designated by the identifier...

Accepted Answer

+RA

Answer

RA

Answer

SHRA

Answer

+SHRA

Question 59

Extensive high pressure areas can be found throughout the year ...

Accepted Answer

Over oceanic areas at latitudes around 30°N/S

Answer

In tropical areas, close to the equator

Answer

In areas showing extensive lifting processes

Answer

In mid latitudes along the polar front

Question 60

What conditions are mandatory for the formation of thermal thunderstorms?

Accepted Answer

Conditionally unstable atmosphere, high temperature and high humidity

Answer

Absolutely stable atmosphere, high temperature and high humidity

Answer

Absolutely stable atmosphere, high temperature and low humidity

Answer

Conditionally unstable atmosphere, low temperature and low humidity

Question 61

Which type of ice forms by large, supercooled droplets hitting the front surfaces of an aircraft?

Accepted Answer

Clear ice

Answer

Hoar frost

Answer

Rime ice

Answer

Mixed ice

Question 62

Information about pressure patterns and frontal situation can be found in which chart?

Accepted Answer

Surface weather chart

Answer

Significant Weather Chart (SWC)

Answer

Wind chart

Answer

Hypsometric chart

Question 63

An inversion is a layer ...

Accepted Answer

With increasing temperature with increasing height

Answer

With constant temperature with increasing height

Answer

With increasing pressure with increasing height

Answer

With decreasing temperature with increasing height

Question 64

What can be expected for the prevailing wind with isobars on a surface weather chart showing large distances?

Accepted Answer

Low pressure gradients resulting in low prevailing wind

Answer

Strong pressure gradients resulting in low prevailing wind

Answer

Strong pressure gradients resulting in strong prevailing wind

Answer

Low pressure gradients resulting in strong prevailing wind

Exam simulation Meteorology - SPL - Sailplane Pilot License

Exam simulation SPL Meteorology 120 questions on 120 minutes