Slide 1


Slide 2

Turbulence is an irregular motion of
air resulting from “eddies” and vertical
currents. Can cause light bumps or loss of
control.

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Slide 3

Mechanical Turbulence (eddies) Friction between the air and the
ground from irregular terrain and man-made obstacles, causes eddies.

Thermal Turbulence Happens on hot sunny days when the sun heats
the earth’s surface unevenly. Isolated convection currents are set in motion
and this results in turbulence.

Frontal Turbulence The lifting of the warm air by the sloping frontal
surface and friction between the two opposing air masses produce
turbulence in the frontal zone.

Wind Shear Marked changes in wind direction and speed either vertical or
horizontal. If the change in wind is great you can expect severe turbulence.

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Slide 4

Light

Momentary slight changes in altitude and/or attitude or a
slight bumpiness. Occupants may feel a slight strain
against their seat belts.

Moderate

Occupants will feel a definite strain against their seat belts
and unsecured objects will be dislodged.

Severe

Large and abrupt changes in altitude and/or attitude and
usually, large variations in indicated air speed. The
airplane may momentarily be out of control.

Extreme

Airplane is tossed about violently and is impossible to
control. May cause structural damage.

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Slide 5

NOTE: You must use the buttons in the Confirmation Stage
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Slide 6

Meteorology

Turbulence & Weather Signs
Let's try a few review questions on Meteorology:

Question #1 -

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Friction between the air and the ground,
especially irregular terrain and man made
obstacles is known as
.
A

Mechanical Turbulence

B

Thermal Turbulence

C

Frontal Turbulence

D

Wind Shear


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Slide 8

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Slide 9

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Slide 10

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Slide 11

Meteorology

Turbulence & Weather Signs

Let's try a few review questions on Meteorology:

Question #2 -

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The irregular motion of air resulting from
"EDDIES" and vertical currents is known
as
.
A

Mechanical Turbulence

B

Thermal Turbulence

C

Frontal Turbulence

D

Turbulence


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Slide 13

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Slide 14

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Slide 15

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Slide 16

Look For Unsettled Weather When:

• barometer is falling
• temperature at night is higher is than usual
• clouds move in different directions at different
levels
• cirrus clouds increase. A large ring appears around
the sun or moon and stays there until the overcast
clouds thicken and obscure the sun or moon
• summer afternoon clouds darken
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Slide 17

Look For Steady Precipitation When:

• there have been signs of unsettled weather
• the wind is southeast to northeast and the pressure
is falling. Rain or snow within a day if the
pressure is falling slowly. If falling rapidly, rain or
snow soon, with strengthening winds.

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Slide 18

Look For Showers When:

• cumulus clouds develop in a westerly wind
• cumulus clouds develop rapidly in spring or
summer early afternoon

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Slide 19

Look For Clearing Weather When:

• the barometer rises
• wind shifts into west or northwest
• the temperature falls

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Slide 20

Look For Continued Bright Weather When:

•
•
•
•
•
•

sun sets like a ball of fire
barometer is steady or slowly rising
afternoon cloudiness decreases after 3PM to 4PM
morning fog breaks within two hours after sunrise
light breeze from west or northwest
there is a red sunset

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Slide 21

NOTE: You must use the buttons in the Confirmation Stage
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Slide 22

Meteorology

Turbulence & Weather Signs

Let's try a few review questions on Meteorology:

Question #3 -

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What weather can you expect when the
barometer is falling?

A

Unsettled Weather

B

Steady Precipitation

C

Clearing Weather

D

Showers


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Slide 24

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Slide 25

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Slide 26

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Slide 27

Meteorology

Turbulence & Weather Signs

Let's try a few review questions on Meteorology:

Question #4 -

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What weather can you expect when the sun
sets like a ball of fire?

A

Unsettled weather

B

Continuing bright weather

C

Clearing weather

D

Showers


Slide 28

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Slide 29

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Slide 30

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Slide 31

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Slide 32

Meteorology

Turbulence & Weather Signs

Congratulations!!
You have now completed the Turbulence & Weather Signs lesson of
the Meteorology Module. Of course, this lesson is always available to
you for future reference if required.
You are now ready to move along to the next Meteorology lesson you
have not completed or to any other module you wish. You can advance
to the Self Test Module if you feel ready to challenge the final exam.
Good Luck!

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