FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Test Preparation: Weather reports and weather effects

1. Question 1 of 16

   In the report below, what does "141753Z" mean?

   METAR KMDT 141753Z 23014G22KT 4SM -RA BR BKN008 OVC025 17/15 A2985 RMK PRESFR

   This is a made-up practice report in the standard METAR format.

   • AStation number 141, at 7:53 a.m.
   • BJuly 14 at 5:53 p.m. local time
   • CThe 14th day of the month at 1753 UTC
   • DA forecast valid for 14 hours from 1753
   Show answer

   Answer: C. The 14th day of the month at 1753 UTC

   In a METAR, the first two digits are the day of the month and the next four the time in UTC (Z, or Zulu).

2. Question 2 of 16

   In the report below, what is the wind?

   METAR KMDT 141753Z 23014G22KT 4SM -RA BR BKN008 OVC025 17/15 A2985 RMK PRESFR

   This is a made-up practice report in the standard METAR format.

   • AFrom 140° at 23 knots, gusting to 22 knots
   • BFrom 230° at 14 knots, gusting to 22 knots
   • CToward 230° at 14 knots, steady
   • DFrom 230° at 22 knots, gusting to 14 knots
   Show answer

   Answer: B. From 230° at 14 knots, gusting to 22 knots

   The wind group gives direction (230°), speed (14 knots) and G for gusts (22 knots).

3. Question 3 of 16

   Using the report below, is the visibility good enough for Part 107?

   METAR KMDT 141753Z 23014G22KT 4SM -RA BR BKN008 OVC025 17/15 A2985 RMK PRESFR

   This is a made-up practice report in the standard METAR format.

   • ANo, rain is never allowed
   • BNo, 4 statute miles is below the 5-mile minimum
   • CYes, 4 statute miles is above the 3-mile minimum
   • DYes, but only because the report comes from an automated station
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Yes, 4 statute miles is above the 3-mile minimum

   The report shows 4SM (4 statute miles). Part 107 requires at least 3 statute miles of visibility.

4. Question 4 of 16

   What is the ceiling in the report below?

   METAR KMDT 141753Z 23014G22KT 4SM -RA BR BKN008 OVC025 17/15 A2985 RMK PRESFR

   This is a made-up practice report in the standard METAR format.

   • A1,500 feet
   • B8,000 feet
   • C800 feet
   • D2,500 feet
   Show answer

   Answer: C. 800 feet

   A ceiling is the lowest broken (BKN) or overcast (OVC) layer. BKN008 means broken clouds at 800 feet.

5. Question 5 of 16

   With the conditions in the report below, what is the highest you may fly and still stay 500 feet below the clouds?

   METAR KMDT 141753Z 23014G22KT 4SM -RA BR BKN008 OVC025 17/15 A2985 RMK PRESFR

   This is a made-up practice report in the standard METAR format.

   • A400 feet AGL
   • B300 feet AGL
   • C800 feet AGL
   • D2,000 feet AGL
   Show answer

   Answer: B. 300 feet AGL

   The broken layer is at 800 feet. Part 107 requires 500 feet below clouds: 800 − 500 = 300 feet AGL.

6. Question 6 of 16

   In the report below, the temperature is 17 °C and the dew point is 15 °C. What does this suggest?

   METAR KMDT 141753Z 23014G22KT 4SM -RA BR BKN008 OVC025 17/15 A2985 RMK PRESFR

   This is a made-up practice report in the standard METAR format.

   • AThunderstorms will end soon
   • BClear skies are likely, because warm air cannot hold any moisture
   • CThe air is very dry
   • DFog or low clouds are likely, because the two are close
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Fog or low clouds are likely, because the two are close

   When temperature and dew point are close, the air is near saturation, and fog, low clouds and precipitation are likely.

7. Question 7 of 16

   What does "A2985" mean in the report below?

   METAR KMDT 141753Z 23014G22KT 4SM -RA BR BKN008 OVC025 17/15 A2985 RMK PRESFR

   This is a made-up practice report in the standard METAR format.

   • AThe airport elevation is 2,985 feet above mean sea level
   • BThe altimeter setting is 29.85 inches of mercury
   • CClouds are at 2,985 feet
   • DVisibility is 2,985 meters
   Show answer

   Answer: B. The altimeter setting is 29.85 inches of mercury

   The A group is the altimeter setting in inches of mercury: A2985 means 29.85.

8. Question 8 of 16

   In a METAR, the temperature group reads M05/M08. What is the temperature?

   • A5 °C
   • B5 °F
   • CMinus 8 °C
   • DMinus 5 °C
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Minus 5 °C

   Temperatures below 0 °C start with M, meaning minus. The first number is the temperature, the second the dew point.

9. Question 9 of 16

   In the forecast below, what does "1412/1512" mean?

   TAF KMDT 141130Z 1412/1512 22010KT P6SM SCT030 TEMPO 1414/1416 3SM -SHRA BKN015 FM142200 30015G25KT P6SM BKN040

   This is a made-up practice forecast in the standard TAF format.

   • AWinds of 14 knots gusting to 15
   • BVisibility of 14 miles, falling to 12
   • CValid from the 14th at 1200 UTC to the 15th at 1200 UTC
   • DIssued on the 14th at 1215 UTC and valid for 12 hours from then
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Valid from the 14th at 1200 UTC to the 15th at 1200 UTC

   In a TAF, the valid period shows the start day and hour, then the end day and hour, in UTC.

10. Question 10 of 16

    In the forecast below, what does "TEMPO 1414/1416" tell you?

    TAF KMDT 141130Z 1412/1512 22010KT P6SM SCT030 TEMPO 1414/1416 3SM -SHRA BKN015 FM142200 30015G25KT P6SM BKN040

    This is a made-up practice forecast in the standard TAF format.

    • ABrief changes, each under 1 hour, between 1400 and 1600 UTC
    • BThe forecast is temporary and will be canceled
    • CThere is a 14% chance of rain
    • DThe weather will change for good at 1400 UTC and stay that way
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Brief changes, each under 1 hour, between 1400 and 1600 UTC

    TEMPO means temporary changes in the weather, each expected to last less than 1 hour, during the times shown.

11. Question 11 of 16

    In the forecast below, what does "FM142200" mean?

    TAF KMDT 141130Z 1412/1512 22010KT P6SM SCT030 TEMPO 1414/1416 3SM -SHRA BKN015 FM142200 30015G25KT P6SM BKN040

    This is a made-up practice forecast in the standard TAF format.

    • AThe forecast was made at 2200 UTC on the 14th and replaces this one
    • BA short shower is expected at 2200 UTC
    • CThe forecast ends at 2200 UTC
    • DA rapid, lasting change is expected from the 14th at 2200 UTC
    Show answer

    Answer: D. A rapid, lasting change is expected from the 14th at 2200 UTC

    FM (from) shows a rapid and significant change, starting at the stated day and time.

12. Question 12 of 16

    Which conditions make density altitude high?

    • ALow temperature, low field elevation and very dry air
    • BHigh pressure and cold air
    • CHigh temperature, high elevation and high humidity
    • DCalm wind and clear skies
    Show answer

    Answer: C. High temperature, high elevation and high humidity

    High elevation, low pressure, high temperature and high humidity all raise density altitude (thinner air).

13. Question 13 of 16

    On a hot, humid summer day, how will your drone's performance usually change?

    • AIt will be higher, because water vapor is heavy
    • BIt will be higher, because warm air lifts the drone
    • CIt will not change; only altitude matters
    • DIt will be lower, because the air is less dense
    Show answer

    Answer: D. It will be lower, because the air is less dense

    Warm air and moist air are less dense. High density altitude reduces performance.

14. Question 14 of 16

    Rain starts falling from the base of a growing thunderstorm. What does this tell you?

    • AThe storm is ending, so it is now safe to fly close to it again
    • BOnly updrafts are present
    • CThe storm is still in the cumulus stage
    • DA downdraft has developed; the storm is in its mature stage
    Show answer

    Answer: D. A downdraft has developed; the storm is in its mature stage

    The Study Guide says precipitation from the cloud base signals a downdraft, which marks the mature stage.

15. Question 15 of 16

    What is wind shear?

    • AA sudden, big change in wind speed or direction in a small area
    • BA steady, strong wind that blows straight across the runway all day
    • CWind that is stronger at night
    • DThe cooling effect of wind on a battery
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A sudden, big change in wind speed or direction in a small area

    Wind shear is a sudden, drastic change in wind speed and/or direction over a very small area.

16. Question 16 of 16

    What is a "ceiling" in an aviation weather report?

    • AThe highest cloud layer reported
    • BThe lowest layer reported as broken or overcast
    • CThe maximum altitude for drones
    • DThe lowest layer of any amount of cloud, even a few clouds
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The lowest layer reported as broken or overcast

    The Study Guide defines a ceiling as the lowest cloud layer reported as broken or overcast.

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