NCAA PPL Meteorology study guide
NCAA PPL Meteorology · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The NCAA Private Pilot Licence (PPL) knowledge test, with Aviation Meteorology as its subject area, is one of the theoretical examinations set by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority for applicants working toward a private pilot licence. It is intended for student pilots who have completed ground instruction in meteorology and are ready to demonstrate, on a multiple-choice examination administered by the NCAA, that they understand the weather phenomena, forecasts, reports and hazards that affect flight planning and decision-making in Nigerian airspace. The syllabus and detailed requirements for all knowledge tests are published in Advisory Circular NCAA-AC-PEL 018, available under Personnel Licensing Advisory Circulars on the Authority's website. The passing grade is 75%, and results remain valid for 24 calendar months from the date of issuance. Applications to sit the test can be submitted at the Authority's Headquarters in Abuja and at the Regional Offices in Lagos, Kaduna and Enugu. Preparation should begin with the Advisory Circular, then move to a current meteorology textbook and the applicable Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations, followed by repeated practice questions and a review of any weak areas with an Authorised Instructor. Topics on this exam: Aviation Meteorology. The NCAA PPL Meteorology study guide has 1 section and about 450 words.
01Aviation Meteorology
The NCAA PPL meteorology paper checks whether you can take raw weather information - a METAR, a TAF, a forecast, a pressure setting - and turn it into a decision about a light aircraft in Nigerian airspace. Expect pressure and altimetry, temperature and density altitude, stability, cloud and visibility, winds, icing and thunderstorms, plus decoding of ICAO-coded reports. ISA sea level: 15 °C, 1013.25 hPa, lapse rate about 2 °C per 1,000 ft. QNH on the subscale gives altitude above mean sea level.
450 words, about 2 minMore study resources for NCAA PPL Meteorology
- Practice questionsIn a standard atmosphere, what is the approximate lapse rate of temperature in the troposphere?
- FlashcardsStandard sea-level pressure. 29.92 inHg or 1013.2 hPa, the reference pressure for the standard atmosphere and the value set in the altimeter window when flying at or above the transition altitude.
- Cheat sheetStandard atmosphere: sea-level pressure 29.92 inHg (1013.2 hPa), temperature 15 °C, lapse rate 2 °C per 1,000 ft up to the tropopause; pressure altitude uses 29.92 in the altimeter setting window.
- Key termsStandard Atmosphere. A set of average sea-level values used for aircraft and altimeter calibration: 29.92 inHg (1013.25 hPa), 15 °C, and a lapse rate of about 2 °C per 1,000 ft.
- Study planDefine the composition and vertical structure of the atmosphere, naming the four main layers and the tropopause boundary.
- Common mistakesThe candidate learned one unit system from a home-country briefing style and applies it mechanically to ICAO-style reports without checking the unit convention on the report or the question stem.
- Exam-day guideBring the original, unexpired photo ID in the name you registered under.