FAA FAA Private Pilot (PPL): Weather Questions
210 exam-style Weather questions for the FAA FAA Private Pilot (PPL) paper (PPL · IR · CPL · ATP). The first 12 are free below with answers and explanations — sign up free to practise all of them with progress tracking.
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Q1
You are flying in clear and cold weather. The airframe temperature is below freezing, and you fly through a hot and humid airmass, what icing might form?
- A Rime ice
- B Clear ice
- C Hoar frost
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Hoar frost
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Q2
When does a gale exist?
- A When continuous wind speeds exceeds 33 kt or gusts exceeds more than 42 kt
- B When continuous wind speeds exceeds 43 kt or gusts exceeds more than 62 kt
- C When continuous wind speeds exceeds 38 kt or gusts exceeds more than 45 kt
Show answer
Correct answer: A. When continuous wind speeds exceeds 33 kt or gusts exceeds more than 42 kt
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Q3
The surface temperature is +15 degrees C and the dewpoint is +14 degrees C. Using approximately 400 ft per degree C of temperature-dewpoint spread, the base of convective (cumulus) cloud is closest to what height?
- A 380 ft
- B 1080 ft
- C 700 ft
Show answer
Correct answer: A. 380 ft
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Q4
The surface temperature at an airfield, elevation 105 ft AMSL, is +2 degrees C. Using a lapse rate of 2 degrees C per 1,000 ft, at approximately what altitude is the freezing level?
- A 1105 ft
- B 1280 ft
- C 1375 ft
Show answer
Correct answer: A. 1105 ft
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Q5
In which direction does wind flow in a low pressure system in the Southern hemisphere?
- A Anticlockwise
- B Vertical
- C Clockwise
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Correct answer: C. Clockwise
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Q6
Which visual illusion is described as perceiving a single stationary point of light against a dark background as if it were moving?
- A Feeling that we are flying too low when exposed to too much light
- B Identifying a light source on a dark background as moving despite being stationary
- C The sensation of vertigo that we experience when flying inside a cloud
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Correct answer: B. Identifying a light source on a dark background as moving despite being stationary
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Q7
The surface temperature at an airfield, elevation 110 ft AMSL, is +18 degrees C. Using a lapse rate of 2 degrees C per 1,000 ft, at approximately what altitude is the freezing level?
- A 10.800 ft
- B 9.110 ft
- C 10.300 ft
Show answer
Correct answer: B. 9.110 ft
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Q8
You are flying in a mountain range in windy conditions what can you expect?
- A Fall in temperature between 3-5 degrees
- B Sudden drops in pressure
- C Mountain waves on the leeward side of the mountains
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Mountain waves on the leeward side of the mountains
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Q9
Over a mountain slope that remains warmer than the adjacent air, a weak anabatic (upslope) flow may occur; in which direction and at what time does such a wind blow?
- A Downhill at night
- B Uphill during the day
- C Uphill at night
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Uphill at night
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Q10
What is needed for icing to occur in flight?
- A Visible moisture
- B Low pressure
- C No or small amount of wind
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Visible moisture
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Q11
What causes an anabatic wind?
- A A flow of wind up the slope of a hill or mountain that has been heated by the sun
- B Changes in temperature between two points in a valley
- C During nighttime changes in temperature the wind will gradually increase down the slope
Show answer
Correct answer: A. A flow of wind up the slope of a hill or mountain that has been heated by the sun
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Q12
What is the lowest forecasted ceiling?
- A 500 ft
- B 200 ft
- C 700 ft
Show answer
Correct answer: A. 500 ft
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