ATPL Meteorology case studies
ATPL Meteorology · Put your knowledge to work in context.
Meteorology is one of the core theoretical knowledge subjects in the Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) examination. The credential is intended for pilots progressing toward the privileges of an airline transport pilot licence, and the meteorology paper tests whether a candidate can interpret atmospheric behaviour well enough to make sound operational decisions, not merely recall definitions. The ATPL Meteorology case studies are 5 cases and about 2,286 words.
1Density Altitude on a Hot Plateau Departure
You are captain of a normally aspirated light twin at a plateau airfield, elevation 1,850 m (6,070 ft), on a summer afternoon. Aerodrome temperature is 32 °C, QNH 1013 hPa, and the runway is 1,400 m long with rising terrain beyond the departure end.
464 words, about 2 min2Foehn Warming and a Mountain Crossing
A north–south ridge rises to 3,200 m. Air approaching from the north at sea level has a temperature of 8 °C, a dewpoint of 3 °C and is stable and saturated only above its condensation level.
486 words, about 2 min3Interpreting a Terminal Forecast for an Alternate Decision
A flight departs at 21:00 UTC and arrives at destination A at 23:40 UTC. The TAF for A reads: wind 220/12 kt, visibility 8 km, few cloud 800 ft, scattered 2,500 ft, temporarily 22:00–02:00 visibility 2,500 m in rain and mist, broken 600 ft.
451 words, about 2 min4Icing Risk in a Frontal Stratiform Cloud Deck
A flight plans to cruise at 9,000 ft for two hours. A warm front lies ahead, with its surface position 150 km south of the route and the frontal surface sloping at about 1:150.
453 words, about 2 min5Thunderstorm Avoidance on a Converging Track
On a summer afternoon a flight must cross a 200 km leg. Radar shows a line of thunderstorms 40 km wide oriented north–south, with tops above 12,000 m, hail reported, and a gap of about 25 km between two cells.
432 words, about 2 min