Exam quiz Meteorology - SPL - Sailplane Pilot License

Question 1

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 2

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

Accepted Answer

Low pressure gradients resulting in low prevailling wind

Answer

Strong pressure gradients resulting in low prevailling wind

Answer

Strong pressure gradients resulting in strong prevailling wind

Answer

Low pressure gradients resulting in strong prevailling wind

Question 3

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 4

An inversion layer close to the ground can be caused by...

Accepted Answer

Ground cooling during the night.

Answer

Thickening of clouds in medium layers.

Answer

Large-scale lifting of air

Answer

Intensifying and gusting winds.

Question 5

Which type of cloud is associated with prolonged rain?

Accepted Answer

Nimbostratus

Answer

Altocumulus

Answer

Cumulonimbus

Answer

Cirrostratus

Question 6

What change in thermal activity may be expected with cirrus clouds coming up from one direction and becoming more dense, blocking the sun?

Accepted Answer

Cirrus clouds prevent insolation and impair thermal activity.

Answer

Cirrus clouds may intensify insolation and improve thermal activity

Answer

Cirrus clouds indicate an high-level inversion with thermal activity ongoing up to that level

Answer

Cirrus clouds indicate instability and beginning of over-development

Question 7

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 8

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 9

The movement of air flowing together is called...

Accepted Answer

Convergence.

Answer

Subsidence.

Answer

Soncordence

Answer

Divergence.

Question 10

Weather and operational information about the destination aerodrome can be obtained during the flight by...

Accepted Answer

ATIS.

Answer

PIREP

Answer

SIGMET

Answer

VOLMET.

Question 11

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 12

What situation is referred to as "shielding"?

Accepted Answer

High or mid-level cloud layers, impairing thermal activity

Answer

Ns clouds, covering the windward side of a mountain range

Answer

Anvil-like structure at the upper levels of a thunderstorm cloud

Answer

Coverage of Cumulus clouds, stated as part of eights of the sky

Question 13

What weather phenomenon designated by "2" has to be expected on the lee side during "Foehn" conditions? See figure (MET-001). Siehe Anlage 1

Accepted Answer

Altocumulus lenticularis

Answer

Cumulonimbus

Answer

Cumulonimbus

Answer

Altocumulus Castellanus

Question 14

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 15

Clouds in high layers are referred to as...

Accepted Answer

Cirro-.

Answer

Strato-.

Answer

Nimbo-.

Answer

Alto-.

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

Parallel to the 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 17

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

Accepted Answer

.+RA

Answer

RA.

Answer

SHRA

Answer

.+SHRA.

Question 18

What is referred to as mountain wind?

Accepted Answer

Wind blowing down the mountain side during the night

Answer

Wind blowing uphill from the valley during the night.

Answer

Wind blowing uphill from the valley during daytime.

Answer

Wind blowing down the mountain side during daytime.

Question 19

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 20

Which process may result in an inversion layer at about 5000 ft (1500 m) height?

Accepted Answer

Widespread descending air within a high pressure area

Answer

Ground cooling by radiation during the night

Answer

Intensive sunlight insolation during a warm summer day

Answer

Advection of cool air in the upper troposphere

Question 21

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 22

What visual flight conditions can be expected within the warm sector of a polar front low during summer time?

Accepted Answer

Moderate to good visibility, scattered clouds

Answer

Good visibility, some isolated high clouds

Answer

Visibilty less than 1000 m, cloud-covered ground

Answer

Moderate visibility, heavy showers and thunderstorms

Question 23

Which force causes "wind"?

Accepted Answer

Pressure gradient force

Answer

Centrifugal force

Answer

Coriolis force

Answer

Thermal force

Question 24

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 25

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 Biskaya 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 26

What danger is most imminent during an approach to an airfield situated in a valley, with strong wind aloft blowing perpendicular to the mountain ridge?

Accepted Answer

Wind shear during descent, wind direction may change by 180°

Answer

Reduced visibilty, maybe loss of sight to the airfield during final approach

Answer

Formation of medium to heavy clear ice on all aircraft surfaces

Answer

Heavy downdrafts within rainfall areas below thunderstorm clouds

Question 27

What pressure pattern can be observed during the passage of a polar front low?

Accepted Answer

Falling pressure in front of the warm front, constant pressure within the warm sector, rising pressure behind the cold front

Answer

Rising pressure in front of the warm front, constant pressure within the warm sector, rising pressure behind the cold front

Answer

Rising pressure in front of the warm front, rising pressure within the warm sector, falling pressure behind the cold front

Answer

Falling pressure in front of the warm front, constant pressure within the warm sector, falling pressure behind the cold front

Question 28

The gliding weather report states environmental instability. At morning, dew covers gras and no thermals are presently active. What development can be expected for thermal activity?

Accepted Answer

With ongoing insolation and ground warming, thermal lifting is likely to begin

Answer

Formation of dew prevents all thermal activity during the following day

Answer

Environmental instability prevents air from being lifted and no thermals will be generated

Answer

After sunset and formation of a ground-level inversion thermal activity is likely to begin

Question 29

What are the air masses that Central Europe is mainly influenced by?

Accepted Answer

Polar cold air and tropical warm air

Answer

Arctic and polar cold air

Answer

Tropical and arctic cold air

Answer

Equatorial and tropical warm air

Question 30

What weather conditions can be expected during "Foehn" on the windward side of a mountain range?

Accepted Answer

Layered clouds, mountains obscured, poor visibility, moderate or heavy rain

Answer

Dissipating clouds with unusual warming, accompanied by strong, gusty winds

Answer

Calm wind and forming of high stratus clouds (high fog)

Answer

Scattered cumulus clouds with showers and thunderstorms

Question 31

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

Accepted Answer

Orographic fog

Answer

Advection fog

Answer

Steaming fog

Answer

Radiation fog

Question 32

The symbol labeled (3) as shown in the picture is a / an... See figure (MET-005) Siehe Anlage 4

Accepted Answer

Occlusion.

Answer

Cold front.

Answer

Warm front.

Answer

Front aloft.

Question 33

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 34

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 35

What cloud type can typically be observed across widespread high pressure areas during summer?

Accepted Answer

Scattered Cu clouds

Answer

Overcast low stratus

Answer

Overcast Ns clouds

Answer

Squall lines and thunderstorms

Question 36

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

Accepted Answer

Surface weather chart

Answer

Wind chart

Answer

Prognostic chart

Answer

Hypsometric chart

Question 37

What cloud sequence can typically be observed during the passage of a warm front?

Accepted Answer

Cirrus, thickening altostratus and altocumulus clouds, lowering cloud base with rain, nimbostratus

Answer

Wind becoming calm, dissipation of clouds and warming during summer; formation of extended high fog layers during winter

Answer

Squall line with showers of rain and thunderstorms (Cb), gusting wind followed by cumulus clouds with isolated showers of rain

Answer

In coastal areas during daytime wind from the coast and forming of cumulus clouds, dissipation of clouds during evening and night

Question 38

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 39

Which answer contains every state of water found in the atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

Liquid, solid, and gaseous

Answer

Liquid

Answer

Gaseous and liquid

Answer

Liquid and solid

Question 40

What cloud type does the picture show? See figure (MET-002). Siehe Anlage 2

Accepted Answer

Cumulus

Answer

Stratus

Answer

Cirrus

Answer

Altus

Question 41

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 42

How can wind speed and wind direction be derived from surface weather charts?

Accepted Answer

By alignment and distance of isobaric lines

Answer

By annotations from the text part of the chart

Answer

By alignment and distance of hypsometric lines

Answer

By alignment of lines of warm- and cold fronts.

Question 43

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 44

What is the gas composition of "air"?

Accepted Answer

Oxygen 21 % Nitrogen 78 % Noble gases / carbon dioxide 1 %

Answer

Oxygen 78 % Water vapour 21 % Nitrogen 1 %

Answer

Oxygen 21 % Water vapour 78 % Noble gases / carbon dioxide 1 %

Answer

Nitrogen 21 % Oxygen 78 % Noble gases / carbon dioxide 1 %

Question 45

What clouds and weather can typically be observed during the passage of a cold front?

Accepted Answer

Strongly developed cumulus clouds (Cb) with showers of rain and thunderstorms, gusting wind followed by cumulus clouds with isolated showers of rain

Answer

Wind becoming calm, dissipation of clouds and warming during summer; formation of extended high fog layers during winter

Answer

Cirrus, thickening altostratus and altocumulus clouds, lowering cloud base with rain, nimbostratus

Answer

In coastal areas during daytime wind from the coast and forming of cumulus clouds, dissipation of clouds during evening and night

Question 46

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

Widespreading of Cumulus clouds below an inversion layer

Question 47

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 48

What factors are required for the formation of precipitation in clouds?

Accepted Answer

Moderate to strong updrafts

Answer

The presence of an inversion layer

Answer

Calm winds and intensive sunlight insolation

Answer

High humidity and high temperatures

Question 49

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 50

In a METAR, "(moderate) showers of rain" are designated by the identifier...

Accepted Answer

SHRA.

Answer

.+TSRA

Answer

TS.

Answer

.+RA.

Question 51

Weather phenomena are most common to be found in which atmospheric layer?

Accepted Answer

Troposphere

Answer

Tropopause

Answer

Stratosphere

Answer

Thermosphere

Question 52

What is the mean height of the tropopause according to ISA (ICAO Standard Atmosphere)?

Accepted Answer

11000 m

Answer

11000 f

Answer

18000 ft

Answer

36000 m

Question 53

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 54

What factor may affect the top of cumulus clouds?

Accepted Answer

The presence of an inversion layer

Answer

The spread

Answer

Relative humidity

Answer

The absolute humidity

Question 55

"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 56

What is meant by "inversion layer"?

Accepted Answer

An atmospheric layer where temperature increases with increasing height

Answer

An atmospheric layer where temperature decreases with increasing height

Answer

An atmospheric layer with constant temperature with increasing height

Answer

A boundary area between two other layers within the atmosphere

Question 57

Cold air inflow in high tropospheric layers may result in...

Accepted Answer

Showers and thunderstorms.

Answer

Frontal weather.

Answer

Calm weather and cloud dissipation

Answer

Stabilisation and calm weather.

Question 58

The dry adiabatic lapse rate has a value of...

Accepted Answer

1,0° C / 100 m.

Answer

0,65° C / 100 m.

Answer

2° / 1000 ft.

Answer

0,6° C / 100 m.

Question 59

How do spread and relative humidity change with increasing temperature?

Accepted Answer

Spread increases, relative humidity decreases

Answer

Spread remains constant, relative humidity increases

Answer

Spread remains constant, relative humidity decreases

Answer

Spread increases, relative humidity increases

Question 60

The height of the tropopause of the International Standard Atmosphere (ISA) is at...

Accepted Answer

36000 ft.

Answer

5500 ft

Answer

48000 ft.

Answer

11000 ft.

Question 61

While planning a 500 km triangle flight, there is a squall line 100 km west of the departure airfield, extending from north to south, moving east. Concerning the weather situation, what decision would be recommendable?

Accepted Answer

To postpone the flight to another day

Answer

To change plans and start the triangle heading east

Answer

To plan the flight below cloud base of the thunderstorms

Answer

During flight, to look for spacing between thunderstorms

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

What cloud type does the picture show? See figure (MET-004). Siehe Anlage 3

Accepted Answer

Cirrus

Answer

Altocumulus

Answer

Cumulus

Answer

Stratus

Question 64

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.

Exam simulation Meteorology SPL - Sailplane Pilot License

Exam simulation SPL Meteorology 120 questions on 120 minutes