Meteorology
Atmosphere and pressure
Know the ISA, the tropopause, and the effect of temperature on pressure and density. Know the meaning of QNH, QFE, QNE, and the transition altitude and level. Understand the difference between indicated and true altitude in cold and warm air.
Clouds and precipitation
Know the classification of clouds (cumulus, stratus, cirrus, and their combinations) and the associated weather. Know the difference between stable and unstable air, and the meaning of convective and stratiform cloud. Know the types of precipitation and the hazards of icing and hail.
Winds and fronts
Understand the geostrophic wind, the effect of friction, and the meaning of backing and veering. Know the cold, warm, and occluded fronts and their associated weather. Know the meaning of a trough, ridge, and squall line.
Hazards
Know the hazards of thunderstorms, wind shear, microbursts, icing, and turbulence. Know the meaning of a SIGMET and an AIRMET, and the difference between them.
Traps
Questions confuse QNH with QFE, or backing with veering. Another favourite: the effect of cold air on true altitude (cold air means the aircraft is lower than indicated).
Worked example
Flying at an indicated altitude of 5,000 ft with an outside air temperature 15°C colder than ISA: the true altitude is lower than indicated by about 4 ft per 1,000 ft per °C, so 5 × 15 × 4 = 300 ft lower - true altitude about 4,700 ft. This matters near terrain.