Meteorology
What is tested
Meteorology questions cover METAR and TAF decoding, altimetry, icing, turbulence, wind shear, thunderstorms and local Kuwait conditions. Kuwait's climate brings extreme summer heat, dust and haze, shamal north-westerly winds, winter fog and occasional convective activity.
Core rules
- QNH gives altitude above mean sea level; QFE gives height above the aerodrome reference point. Set the correct subscale for the phase of flight and the transition altitude or level.
- High temperature makes pressure levels expand: true altitude is higher than indicated altitude when the altimeter is set to QNH.
- Airframe icing requires visible moisture and temperatures near or below 0°C; freezing rain is especially hazardous.
- Wind shear and microbursts require immediate go-around or escape; do not attempt to fly through a microburst.
- A TAF is a forecast, not an observation; TEMPO and BECMG groups change how you apply planning minima.
Worked example
Indicated altitude is 5000 ft and ISA deviation is +15°C. Using the 4 ft per 1000 ft per °C rule, the temperature error is 4 × 5 × 15 = 300 ft. True altitude is about 5300 ft. In cold air the error reverses: true altitude is lower than indicated, which is the dangerous case for terrain clearance.
Traps
Confusing QNH and QFE causes altitude errors. Do not apply the transition level as a fixed height. Do not read a TAF as current weather. Do not assume dust or haze is harmless; it can reduce visibility below approach minima.