AVP 211 - Meteorology for Pilots

• Calculate upper level temperatures using known lapse rates and surface temperatures, and convert temperatures between Celsius and Fahrenheit using the rough approximation conversion formula.
• Identify the characteristics of the “standard atmosphere” including lapse rate, temperature, pressure, and tropopause height; calculate the temperature at any altitude in the standard atmosphere.
• Recognize the effects of the seasons on the temperature distribution in the atmosphere and identify four major ways energy is transferred in the atmosphere.
• Differentiate between the different types of pressure systems, interpret wind speed symbology for a given station plot and predict general wind flow speed and direction by interpreting isobar spacing around highs and lows as indicated on a surface weather chart.
• Calculate the amount and direction of indicated altitude error for any given incorrect altimeter setting, recognize the effects of nonstandard temperature on altimeter indications, and identify the factors that affect density altitude.
• Explain what causes wind and identify factors that affect its speed and direction.
• Distinguish between the characteristics - both speed and direction - of surface winds and geostrophic winds above the friction layer.
• Determine approximate heading corrections needed to maintain a given track when flying to and from a high or low pressure system and when flying through a frontal zone.
• Identify the factors that determine the stability of the atmosphere and differentiate between the characteristics of stable and unstable air, to include turbulence, visibility, type of cloud and precipitation.
• Compare temperature/dew point scenarios to determine water vapor content, capacity and relative humidity.
• Recognize the characteristics of the different kinds of fog and the characteristics of low, middle and high strato- and cumulo-type clouds, and use a formula to determine the approximate the base of convective clouds using surface temperature/dew point values.
• Recognize the difference between obscurations and layers aloft in METAR observations and list the abbreviations used for the various cloud and precipitation types.
• Identify the difference between runway visual range (RVR) and tower, prevailing and runway visibility.
• Contrast the weather phenomena that occur when a ‘typical’ cold front or ‘typical’ warm front passes a location, to include speed, frontal slope steepness, temperature, stability, pressure and wind change, visibility and cloud type; and recognize the signs of approaching freezing precipitation associated with a frontal system.
• Name the various causes of thunderstorms and identify the characteristics of the three stages of their development.
• Recall the different types of thermally-driven winds and recognize the signs of mountain lee waves.
• Define low level wind shear (LLWS), identify the characteristics of the different sources of LLWS, and recognize the effects of decreasing and increasing performance shears on aircraft performance.
• Identify the various sources of in-flight turbulence, including thermal, mechanical, frontal, thunderstorm, mountain wave, jet stream and clear air turbulence (CAT); distinguish between the different FAA-turbulence intensity definitions.
• Name the different types of airframe icing and recognize its effects on aircraft performance.
• Using materials presented in class, identify hazardous weather conditions and determine methods to avoid them.