FAA FAA Private Pilot (PPL): Weather Questions
210 exam-style Weather questions for the FAA FAA Private Pilot (PPL) paper (PPL · IR · CPL · ATP). The first 12 are free below with answers and explanations — sign up free to practise all of them with progress tracking.
- Q1
You are flying in clear and cold weather. The airframe temperature is below freezing, and you fly through a hot and humid airmass, what icing might form?
- ARime ice
- BClear ice
- CHoar frost
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Correct answer: C. Hoar frost
- Q2
When does a gale exist?
- AWhen continuous wind speeds exceeds 33 kt or gusts exceeds more than 42 kt
- BWhen continuous wind speeds exceeds 43 kt or gusts exceeds more than 62 kt
- CWhen continuous wind speeds exceeds 38 kt or gusts exceeds more than 45 kt
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Correct answer: A. When continuous wind speeds exceeds 33 kt or gusts exceeds more than 42 kt
- Q3
The surface temperature is +15 degrees C and the dewpoint is +14 degrees C. Using approximately 400 ft per degree C of temperature-dewpoint spread, the base of convective (cumulus) cloud is closest to what height?
- A380 ft
- B1080 ft
- C700 ft
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Correct answer: A. 380 ft
- Q4
The surface temperature at an airfield, elevation 105 ft AMSL, is +2 degrees C. Using a lapse rate of 2 degrees C per 1,000 ft, at approximately what altitude is the freezing level?
- A1105 ft
- B1280 ft
- C1375 ft
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Correct answer: A. 1105 ft
- Q5
In which direction does wind flow in a low pressure system in the Southern hemisphere?
- AAnticlockwise
- BVertical
- CClockwise
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Correct answer: C. Clockwise
- Q6
Which visual illusion is described as perceiving a single stationary point of light against a dark background as if it were moving?
- AFeeling that we are flying too low when exposed to too much light
- BIdentifying a light source on a dark background as moving despite being stationary
- CThe sensation of vertigo that we experience when flying inside a cloud
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Correct answer: B. Identifying a light source on a dark background as moving despite being stationary
- Q7
The surface temperature at an airfield, elevation 110 ft AMSL, is +18 degrees C. Using a lapse rate of 2 degrees C per 1,000 ft, at approximately what altitude is the freezing level?
- A10.800 ft
- B9.110 ft
- C10.300 ft
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Correct answer: B. 9.110 ft
- Q8
You are flying in a mountain range in windy conditions what can you expect?
- AFall in temperature between 3-5 degrees
- BSudden drops in pressure
- CMountain waves on the leeward side of the mountains
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Correct answer: C. Mountain waves on the leeward side of the mountains
- Q9
Over a mountain slope that remains warmer than the adjacent air, a weak anabatic (upslope) flow may occur; in which direction and at what time does such a wind blow?
- ADownhill at night
- BUphill during the day
- CUphill at night
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Correct answer: C. Uphill at night
- Q10
What is needed for icing to occur in flight?
- AVisible moisture
- BLow pressure
- CNo or small amount of wind
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Correct answer: A. Visible moisture
- Q11
What causes an anabatic wind?
- AA flow of wind up the slope of a hill or mountain that has been heated by the sun
- BChanges in temperature between two points in a valley
- CDuring nighttime changes in temperature the wind will gradually increase down the slope
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Correct answer: A. A flow of wind up the slope of a hill or mountain that has been heated by the sun
- Q12
What is the lowest forecasted ceiling?
- A500 ft
- B200 ft
- C700 ft
Show answer
Correct answer: A. 500 ft
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