DGCA Meteorology: Met Services for Aviation Questions

157 exam-style Met Services for Aviation questions for the DGCA Meteorologypaper (CPL & ATPL). The first 12 are free below with answers and explanations — sign up free to practise all of them with progress tracking.

  1. Q1

    In a METAR report, cloud height is found in:

    • AWind group
    • BCloud group
    • CTemperature group
    Show answer

    Correct answer: B. Cloud group

    Cloud height, like 'BKN020,' is listed in the METAR’s cloud group.

  2. Q2

    In a METAR, time is reported in:

    • ALocal time
    • BUTC
    • CIST
    Show answer

    Correct answer: B. UTC

    METARs use UTC for time to keep things standard worldwide.

  3. Q3

    The validity of Landing Forecast (TREND) is

    • A1 hr
    • B2 hr
    • C3 hr
    Show answer

    Correct answer: B. 2 hr

    A landing (TREND) forecast appended to a METAR or SPECI is valid for 2 hours from the time of the report.

  4. Q4

    In a TAF, information regarding CB cloud height can be found in the section on:

    • AWind forecast
    • BForecast cloud group
    • CTemp
    Show answer

    Correct answer: B. Forecast cloud group

    TAF lists CB heights, like 'BKN030CB,' in the cloud forecast section.

  5. Q5

    In a TAF, SHRA indicates rainfall of type:

    • AContinuous rain
    • BShowers of rain occurring within the mentioned time group
    • CDrizzle
    Show answer

    Correct answer: B. Showers of rain occurring within the mentioned time group

    SHRA means short bursts of rain, typical of convective showers.

  6. Q6

    The validity of a TAF is

    • A9 hours from the time of issue
    • Bstated in the TAF
    • Cbetween 6 and 9 hours
    Show answer

    Correct answer: B. stated in the TAF

    The period of validity of a TAF is stated in the TAF itself in its date-time validity group; TAF validity periods vary (commonly 9 to 30 hours), so no single fixed duration applies.

  7. Q7

    Refer to the TAF for Amsterdam airport. FCNL31 281500 EHAM 281601 14010KT 6000 -RA SCT025 BECMG 1618 12015G25KT SCT008 BKN013 TEMPO 1823 3000 RA BKN005 OVC010 BECMG 2301 25020KT 8000 NSW BKN020 = Flight from Bordeaux to Amsterdam, ETA 2100 UTC. What lowest cloud base is forecast for arrival at Amsterdam?

    • A800 FT
    • B500 m
    • C500 FT
    Show answer

    Correct answer: C. 500 FT

    At ETA 2100 UTC the TEMPO 1823 group applies, forecasting temporary conditions of broken cloud at 005, i.e. a lowest cloud base of 500 ft; TAF cloud heights are given in hundreds of feet, not metres.

  8. Q8

    Refer to the following TAF for Zurich.LSZH 061019 20018G30KT 9999 -RA SCT050 BKN080 TEMPO 23012KT 6000 -DZ BKN015 BKN030 BECMG 1518 23020G35KT 4000 RA OVC010=The lowest cloud base forecast at ETA Zurich (1200 UTC) is:

    • A1500 m.
    • B1500 FT.
    • C5000 FT.
    Show answer

    Correct answer: B. 1500 FT.

    At the 1200 UTC ETA the TEMPO group applies, giving temporary broken cloud at 015, i.e. a lowest forecast base of 1500 ft; TAF cloud bases are coded in hundreds of feet.

  9. Q9

    What does a METAR question on FU (smoke) indicate?

    • ASmoke is reducing visibility
    • BHeavy rain is forecast
    • CFog is forming rapidly
    Show answer

    Correct answer: A. Smoke is reducing visibility

    FU is the METAR code for smoke, so its presence in a report indicates that smoke particles are reducing the visibility; it says nothing about rain or fog.

  10. Q10

    Refer to the following TAF extract: BECMG 1821 2000 BKN004 PROB30 BECMG 2124 0500 FG VV001 What does the “BECMG” data indicate for the 18 to 21 hour time frame?

    • AA quick change to new conditions between 1800 UTC and 1900 UTC
    • BMany short term changes in the original weather
    • CMany long term changes in the original weather
    • DThe new conditions are achieved between 1800 and 2100 UTC
    Show answer

    Correct answer: D. The new conditions are achieved between 1800 and 2100 UTC

    This Explanation is Coming Soon

  11. Q11

    The cloud base, reported in the METAR, is the height above

    • Aairfield level
    • Bmean sea level
    • Cthe pressure altitude of the observation station at the time of observation
    • Dthe highest terrain within a radius of 8 km from the observation station
    Show answer

    Correct answer: A. airfield level

    This Explanation is Coming Soon

  12. Q12

    Appended to a METAR you get the following runway report: 01650428 What must you consider when making performance calculations?

    • AThe braking action will be medium to good
    • BThe runway will be wet
    • CAquaplaning conditions
    • DThe friction coefficient is 0.28
    Show answer

    Correct answer: D. The friction coefficient is 0.28

    This Explanation is Coming Soon

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