Meteorology
The Meteorology paper tests the weather knowledge needed for VFR flight in a tropical maritime climate. You must read METARs and TAFs, interpret pressure and altimetry, understand stability and cloud, recognise hazardous weather and apply Mauritius-specific patterns: trade winds, sea breezes, orographic cloud and the cyclone season.
Atmosphere and altimetry
ISA at sea level is 15°C and 1013.25 hPa, with a lapse rate of about 2°C per 1,000 ft. QNH gives elevation when set on the subscale; QFE gives height above a reference point; QNE is standard pressure for flight levels. Rising air cools; if it reaches the dew point, cloud forms.
Local and hazardous weather
The south-east trades dominate, strongest in winter. The central plateau forces air upward, producing cloud and heavy showers, while the west is often drier. Sea breezes form by day. From November to April, tropical cyclones and the ITCZ bring heavy rain, squalls and embedded cumulonimbus. Avoid thunderstorms: they contain severe turbulence, hail, icing and microbursts.
Worked example
METAR FIMP 12012KT 9999 SCT018 BKN100 26/22 Q1014. Decode: surface wind 120° true at 12 kt; visibility 10 km or more; scattered cloud at 1,800 ft; broken cloud at 10,000 ft; temperature 26°C, dew point 22°C; QNH 1014 hPa. The 4°C spread and broken mid-cloud suggest moist air and possible showers; check the TAF and trend before departure.
Traps
METAR wind is true, ATIS and runway reports may be magnetic; QNH is not QFE; a 9999 visibility is not unlimited; TAF validity is not the time of observation; and a calm surface wind does not rule out wind shear.