Instrument Flight: Meteorology
What the exam tests
Meteorology for IFR covers METAR and TAF interpretation, altimetry, icing, thunderstorms, tropical systems and local effects in the Mauritius area. Expect questions that link a forecast to a go/no-go or alternate decision.
Core rules
- METAR and TAF give wind, visibility, RVR, weather, cloud, temperature, dewpoint and QNH; note trend and TEMPO or BECMG.
- QNH is sea-level pressure; QFE is aerodrome pressure. 'High to low, look out below.'
- Icing is most likely in stratiform cloud between about 0 degrees C and minus 15 degrees C; freezing rain is severe.
- Thunderstorms: avoid by at least 20 NM, do not fly under an anvil; expect wind shear, hail and lightning.
- The southwest Indian Ocean tropical cyclone season is roughly November to April; use the official tropical cyclone advisories.
- Trade winds and sea breezes affect runway choice and turbulence at FIMP.
Worked example
You fly at indicated 5,000 ft with QNH 1013 set, but the actual QNH is 1000 hPa. The altimeter over-reads because the set pressure is higher than actual; true altitude is about 13 x 30 = 390 ft lower, near 4,610 ft. On a close obstacle procedure, that error matters.
Traps
- Using QFE for en-route levels.
- Reading a TAF as a forecast for one exact arrival minute.
- Treating PROB30 as certain.
- Underestimating CB anvil and downburst spread.