CPL Meteorology case studies
CPL Meteorology · Put your knowledge to work in context.
Meteorology is one of the knowledge areas a commercial pilot must master before flying professionally, and the CPL Meteorology examination tests whether you can interpret the atmosphere as an operational system rather than a list of definitions. The subject is aimed at candidates working toward a Commercial Pilot Licence, whether through an integrated course or modular study alongside other ATPL-level theory subjects. The CPL Meteorology case studies are 5 cases and about 2,783 words.
1The Climb That Would Not Climb
A light twin departs a coastal aerodrome at 1,200 ft elevation on a summer afternoon. Surface temperature is 33 °C; the QNH is 1003 hPa.
638 words, about 3 min2The Fog That Arrived Early
An aerodrome in a river valley has a runway at 300 ft elevation. At 1800 local time the temperature is 14 °C and the dewpoint is 11 °C, with a light westerly breeze of 6 kt and scattered stratocumulus at 2,500 ft.
553 words, about 3 min3The Front That Outran the Forecast
A pilot is planning a 3-hour VFR cross-country flight from an inland aerodrome to a coastal destination 350 nm east. The 0600 forecast expects a cold front to reach the destination at 1500 with a band of showers and a wind shift from northwest to southwest.
553 words, about 3 min4The Mountain Wave on the Lee Side
A pilot is flying a light single at 11,500 ft over a north-south mountain range with peaks at 9,000 ft. The wind at 10,000 ft is 35 kt from 270°, and the air is stable with a moist layer near the summit.
521 words, about 3 min5Reading the TAF Against the Observation
A pilot is planning a flight from an aerodrome with a TAF valid 0600–1800. The TAF reads: wind 24015KT, visibility 9999, few 3,000 ft, becoming 25020G30KT 4000 SHRA BKN015 from 1200 to 1400, temporarily 2000 +SHRA BKN008 from 1300 to 1600.
518 words, about 3 min