CPL Meteorology (Sri Lanka CAA Pilot Licence Examinations) study guide
CPL Meteorology · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
Meteorology is one of the core theoretical knowledge subjects a candidate must pass before, or alongside, the issue of a Commercial Pilot Licence. The subject exists to prove that you can read a weather picture, predict how it will change while you are airborne, and make operational decisions - diversion, alternate selection, icing avoidance, crosswind limits - from information rather than guesswork. The CPL Meteorology study guide has 13 sections and about 3,184 words.
01The Atmosphere: Composition, Structure and Standard Atmosphere
This domain checks atmospheric composition, vertical structure and the ISA, plus your ability to convert between altitude, temperature and pressure. Dry air is about 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 1% argon and 0.04% carbon dioxide; water vapour is variable and strongly affects density.
248 words, about 1 min02Temperature, Pressure, Density and Their Effects on Aircraft Performance
This domain tests how temperature, pressure and density change aircraft performance, and how to use pressure altitude, density altitude and ISA deviation. Pressure altitude is altitude with 1013.25 hPa set; density altitude is pressure altitude corrected for temperature and, in precise work, humidity.
248 words, about 1 min03Atmospheric Moisture, Humidity and Stability
This domain tests moisture measures, dew point, saturation and how the environmental lapse rate determines stability. Relative humidity compares actual vapour content with saturation at the same temperature; dew point is the temperature to which air must cool to saturate.
248 words, about 1 min04Clouds, Precipitation and Their Aviation Significance
This domain tests cloud identification, precipitation types and the operational significance of cloud and precipitation. Stratiform cloud (stratus, altostratus, nimbostratus) suggests stable air, widespread cloud and steady precipitation; cumuliform cloud (cumulus, cumulonimbus) suggests instability, showers and turbulence.
238 words, about 1 min05Fog, Visibility and Low-Level Obscurations
This domain tests fog formation, visibility reporting and low-level obscurations that affect take-off, approach and landing. Radiation fog forms on clear, calm nights when the ground cools the air to its dew point; it is favoured by light wind, high humidity and long nights, and usually dissipates after sunrise.
264 words, about 1 min06Air Masses, Fronts and Frontal Weather
This domain tests air-mass classification and the weather associated with fronts, including cloud sequences and post-frontal changes. Air masses are classified by source region and track: tropical or polar, maritime or continental.
257 words, about 1 min07Pressure Systems, Synoptic Charts and Weather Forecasting
This domain tests pressure systems, synoptic chart interpretation and the use of forecasts. Isobars join equal mean sea level pressure; closer spacing means a stronger pressure gradient and stronger wind.
248 words, about 1 min08Wind: Local, Gradient and Upper-Level Winds
This domain tests the forces that produce wind, surface friction effects, local circulations and upper-level flow. Pressure gradient force drives air from high to low pressure; Coriolis deflects it (to the left in the Southern Hemisphere) and friction slows surface wind and turns it across the isobars toward low pressure.
233 words, about 1 min09Wind Shear and Turbulence
This domain tests wind shear, its causes and turbulence recognition, including low-level and convective hazards. Wind shear is a change in wind speed or direction over a short distance or time; it can occur vertically or horizontally.
241 words, about 1 min10Thunderstorms and Other Hazardous Weather Phenomena
This domain tests thunderstorm formation, structure, hazards and avoidance. Thunderstorms require moisture, instability and a lifting trigger.
239 words, about 1 min11Icing, Mountain Waves and Cold-Weather Hazards
This domain tests airframe and carburettor icing, mountain-wave hazards and cold-weather operations. Airframe icing occurs in visible moisture at temperatures from about 0°C to -20°C, with the greatest risk in supercooled water.
248 words, about 1 min12Tropical and Extreme Weather Systems
This domain tests tropical cyclone formation, structure, hazards and extreme weather systems. Tropical cyclones require warm sea-surface temperature (about 26.5°C or more), high low-level humidity, Coriolis forcing and low vertical wind shear.
226 words, about 1 min13Meteorological Information, Reports, Forecasts and In-Flight Services
This domain tests decoding and using METAR, SPECI, TAF, trends, warnings and in-flight meteorological services. METAR is a routine aerodrome observation; SPECI is a special observation.
246 words, about 1 min