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Quiz: 6 Questions To See How Much You Know About IFR Weather

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How much do you know?


  1. 1) You're flying the ILS to runway 25 at Oxnard, CA. Based on the weather report below, do you expect that you'll be able to land from the approach? (Part 91, non-commercial)
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    You're Part 91, so you can start the approach regardless of the weather (though we wouldn't recommend it). The ILS to runway 25 at Oxnard requires 1 mile of visibility. Since the METAR is reporting 1/2 mile of visibility, even if you got out of the clouds on the ILS, assuming it was still 1/2 mile of visibility from your vantage point, you wouldn't have the required flight visibility to land.

    You're Part 91, so you can start the approach regardless of the weather (though we wouldn't recommend it). The ILS to runway 25 at Oxnard requires 1 mile of visibility. Since the METAR is reporting 1/2 mile of visibility, even if you got out of the clouds on the ILS, assuming it was still 1/2 mile of visibility from your vantage point, you wouldn't have the required flight visibility to land.

  2. 2) What kind of pressure system is located over southwestern Wisconsin, and which direction would you fly around it to achieve the greatest groundspeed if you were traveling to Montana?
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    If you notice the wind barb trend on the surface weather chart through southeastern Minnesota, eastern Iowa, and northern Illinois, they flow in a counter clockwise direction. This would indicate that the pressure system located here is low pressure. Because it flows counterclockwise, it would be beneficial to fly to the north of the system in order to achieve a faster groundspeed.

    If you notice the wind barb trend on the surface weather chart through southeastern Minnesota, eastern Iowa, and northern Illinois, they flow in a counter clockwise direction. This would indicate that the pressure system located here is low pressure. Because it flows counterclockwise, it would be beneficial to fly to the north of the system in order to achieve a faster groundspeed.

  3. 3) What kind of clouds would you most likely expect if you were departing IFR in a temperature inversion?

    Because temperature inversions are relative stable, they trap a lot of moisture and pollutants below them causing the visibility to decrease. Due to the trapped moisture, it can produce a stable stratiform cloud layer.

    Because temperature inversions are relative stable, they trap a lot of moisture and pollutants below them causing the visibility to decrease. Due to the trapped moisture, it can produce a stable stratiform cloud layer.

  4. 4) You plan to land in LaGuardia at 1500Z. What type of weather are you expecting on arrival?
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    The terminal area forecast projects the weather will have 2 SM visibility, with light rain, mist and overcast skies at 600 feet AGL.

    The terminal area forecast projects the weather will have 2 SM visibility, with light rain, mist and overcast skies at 600 feet AGL.

  5. 5) Where were the clouds tops at 4,400' MSL reported?
    Boldmethod

    You would see clouds at 4,400, MSL on the 090 degree radial at 5 DME from the JFK VOR.

    You would see clouds at 4,400, MSL on the 090 degree radial at 5 DME from the JFK VOR.

  6. 6) What type of clouds are made completely of ice crystals?

    Cirrus clouds are comprised completely of frozen ice crystals.

    Cirrus clouds are comprised completely of frozen ice crystals.

Well, that was tough...

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You've got this IFR weather down...for the most part.

You scored % Nice work.

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Looks like you're an IFR weather expert...

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Corey Komarec

Corey is an Airbus 320 First Officer for a U.S. Major Carrier. He graduated as an aviation major from the University of North Dakota, and he's been flying since he was 16. You can reach him at corey@boldmethod.com.

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