K3 Atmosphere/Notams LP 3-5

What are the 3 properties of the atmosphere?

• Mobility or freedom of motion.

• The ability to be compressed or packed closely together, allowing the air to become more dense.

• The ability to expand or move further apart allowing the air to be less dense.

How does rising air affect the temperature, density, and pressure?

As air rises, it expands which causes the temperature, density, and the pressure to decrease.

How does descending air affect the temperature, density, and pressure?

As air descends, it compresses which increases the temperature, density, and the pressure.

Half of the total weight of the atmosphere lies below what altitude_____________?

5.5km or 18000ft

What are the two forms of radiation from the sun?

Absorbtion and reflection

______waves heat the ground through absorption?

Short

______ waves are reflected off the ground?

Long

Does the sun transmit long or short-wave radiation?

Short

What is the main type of radiation absorbed by the atmosphere?

Long Wave Radiation

Air is _____; it can be compressed and expanded

mobile

What is Condensation Nuclei?

Solid particles are essential in the process of changing water vapour into liquid water droplets or into solid ice crystal form. These particles are called condensation nuclei and are essential for the formation of condensation which results in clouds, precipitation and fog.

What is Sublimation?

A solid directly changes into a gas without passing through the liquid state. Ex. Dry Ice

What is Condensation?

When a gas transitions to a liquid. Ex. Water vapour transitioning to clouds and precipitation.

What is evaporation?

When a liquid changes directly into a gas. Ex. Boiling water

What is deposition?

When a gas changes directly into a solid. Ex. Water vapour touches a surface and becomes frost.

What is the standard atmospheric pressure in inches of mercury?

29.92Hg

What are the five lifting processes/agents?

• Convection

• Mechanical Turbulence

• Orographic lift

• Frontal lift

• Convergence

What is Convective lift?

Lift can result from the uneven heating of the Earth’s surface. Air that has been warmed becomes less dense.

What is mechanical turbulence?

The result of the friction produced from the interaction between the surface of the earth and the air.

3 factors that influence intensity

• Unevenness of the ground

• Speed of the wind

• Stability of the air

What is Orographic lift?

Orographic lift occurs when an air mass is forced from a low elevation to a high elevation as it moves over rising terrain. (Usually mountains)

What is Frontal lift?

• With a cold front, when advancing cold air undermines the warmer air ahead, forcing it upward, or

• With a warm front, when less dense warm air rises above retreating colder air.

In all cases, it is the warm air that is lifted.

What is Convergence?

Convergence is usually associated with areas of low pressure (lows and troughs).

When air accumulates near the surface, excess air is forced to rise. This is called convergence.

_________ provides lift as long as the parcel of air is warmer than the surrounding air.

In unstable conditions, a lifted parcel of air will be warmer than the surrounding air at altitude.

Convection

• A small decrease of temperature with height is known as a ______ lapse rate.

Shallow

• A large decrease of temperature with height is known as a _____ lapse rate.

Steep

• If there is no variation in temperature with altitude, it is referred to as _______?

Isothermal

If there is an increase in temperature with altitude, it is called an _______

Inversion

When to use a voice NOTAM?

Voice NOTAM are used to notify of unplanned situations that are dynamic in nature, of short duration, and confined to a localized area (A single aerodrome)

The duration of the Voice NOTAM is anticipated to be less than one hour.

When are NOTAMs distributed by AFTN?

(Aeronautical fixed telecommunication network?

It is important that NOTAM are distributed by AFTN to the maximum extent possible. Therefore, the following criteria must be met before a Voice NOTAM can be disseminated:

a. The duration of the Voice NOTAM is anticipated to be less than one hour.

b. An extension to the original Voice NOTAM’s duration must not exceed one hour.

c. The total duration (including any revisions) of the Voice NOTAM must not exceed two hours.

For the K3 exam

You will be given a list of NOTAMs, determine who needs what