CPL Meteorology study plan

Define each hazard type (thunderstorm, icing, turbulence, wind shear, microburst) and write the physical mechanism that produces it in one sentence each

Explain the composition and vertical structure of the atmosphere, naming the layers, their boundaries and the temperature trend in each

State the standard atmosphere values (sea-level pressure, temperature, lapse rates) and apply them to compute pressure and temperature at three sample altitudes

List the conditions that favour thunderstorm development and match each to the hazard it generates in flight

Describe the life cycle of a thunderstorm and identify the flight hazards present at each stage

Differentiate structural, airframe and induction icing and state the temperature and moisture conditions for each

Explain stability, lapse rate and the parcel method, then classify five given soundings as stable, unstable or conditionally unstable

Identify turbulence types and the synoptic and local situations that produce low-level wind shear and microbursts

Define humidity variables (dew point, relative humidity, mixing ratio) and solve three dew-point depression and saturation problems

Explain the processes that lift air and trigger condensation, and link each to a cloud type

Classify the ten cloud genera by height and shape and state the weather and flight conditions each implies

Distinguish the formation mechanisms of radiation, advection, frontal and upslope fog and the visibility each typically gives

Explain how temperature, pressure and density relate and compute density altitude for three given field conditions

State the altimeter errors (pressure, temperature, instrument) and the safe-altitude rule for each

Describe air mass source regions and classification, and the weather each brings when it reaches your region

Explain the structure of warm, cold, occluded and stationary fronts and the weather sequence before, during and after passage

Trace the life cycle of a mid-latitude cyclone and locate the hazardous weather relative to its fronts and pressure centre

Interpret isobar spacing, pressure gradient and the resulting surface wind, including Coriolis and friction effects

Explain global circulation, jet streams and their effect on upper-level winds and flight planning

Describe local wind systems (sea breeze, valley wind, mountain wave, Föhn) and the turbulence each produces

Decode METAR and TAF reports, extracting wind, visibility, cloud, weather and trend groups without error

Interpret significant weather charts, surface charts and upper-wind charts and extract the forecast for a given route

Read and apply SIGMET, AIRMET and warning products to a planned flight

Assemble a route briefing from chart and forecast products and state the go/no-go decision with reasons

Re-derive the key formulas from the lighter domains (standard atmosphere, density altitude, wind components) from memory

Answer 40 rapid-fire recall questions across domains 1, 2, 4 and 6 within 40 minutes

Correct every missed item and write a one-line rule for each to prevent repeat errors

Identify the two domains with the lowest scores and list the specific sub-topics needing revision

Complete two full-length mock exams under timed conditions and score each by domain

Analyse every incorrect answer to its root cause (knowledge gap, misread, or calculation error)

Re-study the three weakest sub-topics identified across both mocks

Recite the key facts for hazards, fronts and report decoding from memory in a final review session