ATPL Meteorology (050) study guide
ATPL Meteorology (050) · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
Meteorology (050) is the theoretical knowledge examination in meteorology that a candidate must pass to obtain an Airline Transport Pilot Licence under the EASA ATPL syllabus. It is aimed at trainee and licensed pilots progressing towards the ATPL, and at holders of a frozen ATPL who need to keep the theoretical knowledge current. The ATPL Meteorology (050) study guide has 11 sections and about 5,379 words.
01The Atmosphere: Composition, Vertical Structure and the ICAO Standard Atmosphere
This domain covers what the air is made of, how it is layered, and the ICAO Standard Atmosphere that every altimetry and temperature question is referenced to. The exam asks short, numerical or definitional items: standard temperature at a level, which layer holds the weather, or the standard tropopause figure.
536 words, about 3 min02Temperature: Heating, Cooling, Lapse Rates and Inversions
This domain tests how the air is heated and cooled, the three lapse rates, the shape of the diurnal temperature curve, and the recognition and consequences of inversions. Expect questions that give a surface temperature and require a temperature at height, or that describe a night and ask what forms.
492 words, about 2 min03Atmospheric Pressure and Altimetry
Altimetry questions reward precision: which reference surface is set, what the altimeter actually displays, and how temperature and pressure changes make displayed altitude differ from true altitude. Expect a numerical item on QNH or on cold-air error.
476 words, about 2 min04Humidity, Condensation, Dew Point and Atmospheric Stability
This domain links moisture measures to cloud base and to stability criteria. The exam asks for a dew point calculation, a cloud base from a temperature-dew point spread, or a stability classification from a stated lapse rate.
487 words, about 2 min05Clouds and Precipitation
This domain tests cloud classification, the link between formation mechanism and cloud form, the precipitation types each cloud produces, and the operational hazards associated with particular genera. Convection (surface heating, unstable air) gives cumuliform cloud.
439 words, about 2 min06Air Masses, Fronts and Frontal Weather
This domain tests source regions and air-mass classification, the structure and slope of the different fronts, and the change of wind, temperature, pressure, cloud and visibility across each one. Questions are frequently 'what happens after passage'.
477 words, about 2 min07Pressure Systems and Synoptic Meteorology
This domain covers anticyclones, depressions, troughs, ridges and cols, and how the surface chart translates into weather. It is the domain where you must read a pattern of isobars and state wind, cloud, visibility and pressure tendency.
509 words, about 3 min08Wind: Global Circulation, Local Winds, Föhn and Turbulence
This domain tests the general circulation, the modification of wind by friction and terrain, and the named local wind systems, including the föhn and its thermodynamics. Expect a föhn temperature calculation or a question on sea-breeze timing.
475 words, about 2 min09Upper-Air Meteorology: Tropopause, Jet Streams and Clear Air Turbulence
This domain covers the tropopause, jet stream structure, upper winds and clear air turbulence - the material behind flight-planning winds and high-level hazard avoidance. The isothermal layer at the top of the troposphere; ICAO standard 36,090 ft at -56.5°C.
456 words, about 2 min10Weather Hazards: Icing, Thunderstorms, Wind Shear, Visibility and Volcanic Ash
This domain is the operational hazard domain: aircraft icing, thunderstorm structure and by-products, low-level wind shear and microbursts, visibility reduction and volcanic ash. Questions typically ask for conditions, recognition or the correct avoiding action.
484 words, about 2 min11Meteorological Information: METAR, TAF, SIGMET and Charts
This domain tests decoding and interpreting coded reports and forecasts, knowing which product covers which phenomenon, and reading the standard charts. Expect a decode question and one on the correct product to consult.
548 words, about 3 min