ATPL Met Question
Thread Starter
TightYorksherMan
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,573
Likes: 1
From: Peak District
ATPL Met Question
What is the usual procedure when encountering CAT en-route?
a) request climb to get out of CAT
b) turn around immediately
c) descend immediately
d) accelerate through it and stay level
Could anyone please tell me the correct answer for this questions as I am getting mixed opinions B or C.
Thanks
a) request climb to get out of CAT
b) turn around immediately
c) descend immediately
d) accelerate through it and stay level
Could anyone please tell me the correct answer for this questions as I am getting mixed opinions B or C.
Thanks
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 870
Likes: 0
From: UK
One of those wonderful JAA questions where the reality is probably very different from the text book answer.
The sensible options are a or c, though c I think is the answer the examiner is probably looking for. M.85 is right though - running away is not an option and the cleaners and lawyers might not thank you for d.
With a (text book) jetstream, the worst CAT is just below the jetstream axis, on the cold side of the jetstream (on the RHS if you are flying west over the Atlantic). If you descend, you should be able to clear this turbulence. However, if you climb, you may well encounter an area of secondary CAT which is found just above the jetstream axis. A good diagram would probably make this clearer.
The problem in reality all depends on exactly where you are in relation to the jetsream in the first place (ie, in the primary or secondary CAT zones - assume primary for the question), and what options a combination of ATC and performance restrictions place upon the flight (you may not be able to climb due to weight for instance). Have fun.
The sensible options are a or c, though c I think is the answer the examiner is probably looking for. M.85 is right though - running away is not an option and the cleaners and lawyers might not thank you for d.
With a (text book) jetstream, the worst CAT is just below the jetstream axis, on the cold side of the jetstream (on the RHS if you are flying west over the Atlantic). If you descend, you should be able to clear this turbulence. However, if you climb, you may well encounter an area of secondary CAT which is found just above the jetstream axis. A good diagram would probably make this clearer.
The problem in reality all depends on exactly where you are in relation to the jetsream in the first place (ie, in the primary or secondary CAT zones - assume primary for the question), and what options a combination of ATC and performance restrictions place upon the flight (you may not be able to climb due to weight for instance). Have fun.
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 461
Likes: 0
From: Bristol
I've queried this with Jinkster on the JAA side on the Wannabes forum. So far as the real world is concerned you could do worse than read up on the subject in The Handbook of Aviation Meteorology, pp 81 through 83, with the diagram at fig 36.
CAT is generally of small vertical extent, so a change of height is probably the most straightforward way out.
Dick W
CAT is generally of small vertical extent, so a change of height is probably the most straightforward way out.
Dick W
