8.52 Interpret Domestic Meteorological Services, Reports and Forecasts

Sub Topic	Syllabus Item
8.52	Interpret Domestic Meteorological Services, Reports and Forecasts
8.52.2	Using information from domestic meteorological services, reports and forecasts decide which should be considered for an indicated flight between given locations.
8.52.4	Use information from domestic meteorological services, reports and forecasts to demonstrate sound planning and decision making.
8.52.6	State the significance of forecast or observed low-level moisture to flight.

8.50 Assess satellite and radar Imagery, and non-aviation-specific weather information

Sub Topic	Syllabus Item
8.50	Assess satellite and radar Imagery, and non-aviation-specific weather information
8.50.2	With respect to NZ VFR operations, using satellite imagery, identify the following: (a) areas of stable and unstable air; (b) frontal cloud bands; (c) positions of lows and anticyclones.
8.50.4	With respect to NZ VFR operations, interpret radar imagery in terms of: (a) likely cloud types; (b) precipitation types and intensity; (c) speed of movement and timing and the expected impact at given locations.
8.50.6	Describe the limitations of non-aviation-specific weather information.

8.44 New Zealand Weather

Sub Topic	Syllabus Item
8.44	New Zealand Weather
8.44.2	Describe how the following factors determine the general weather features found around New Zealand: (a) latitude; (b) oceanic surroundings; (c) topography.
8.44.4	Identify ‘westerly situations’ and ‘easterly situations’ on a weather map.
8.44.6	Describe the impact of ‘westerly situations’ and ‘easterly situations’ on flying weather around New Zealand.
8.44.8	For any area or location in New Zealand, determine: (a) the wind direction(s) which expose that location to very poor flying conditions; (b) the wind direction(s) which result in sheltering.

8.40 Turbulence

Sub Topic	Syllabus Item
8.40	Turbulence
8.40.2	Define the term ‘wind shear’.
8.40.4	Describe the effects of low-level wind-shear on aircraft operations in the: (a) take-off; and (b) approach and landing phases of flight.
8.40.6	Describe the cause(s), factors involved, and dangers associated with: (a) convective (thermal) turbulence; (b) mechanical turbulence – small scale and large scale; (c) wake turbulence.
8.40.8	Describe the techniques commonly used to avoid or minimise: (a) convective (thermal) turbulence; (b) mechanical turbulence; (c) wake turbulence.

8.36 Air-masses and Fronts

Sub Topic	Syllabus Item
8.36	Air-masses and Fronts
8.36.2	Define an ‘air-mass’.
8.36.4	State the two air-masses that routinely affect the New Zealand region.
8.36.6	Define a ‘front’.
8.36.8	Describe the formation processes of the following frontal types: (a) cold; (b) warm; (c) occluded; (d) stationary.
8.36.10	Describe the range of weather conditions typically associated with fronts in the New Zealand region.
8.36.12	State the similarities and differences between cold and warm fronts, with reference to changes in: (a) temperature; (b) air pressure; (c) wind; (d) cloud; (e) precipitation.
8.36.14	Describe the typical associated factors for a southerly flow onto New Zealand: (a) stability; (b) cloud types; (c) likely precipitation; (d) visibility reductions; (e) turbulence.
8.36.16	Describe the typical associated factors for a northerly flow onto New Zealand. (a) stability; (b) cloud types; (c) likely precipitation; (d) visibility reductions; (e) turbulence.

8.32 Mountain Weather

Sub Topic	Syllabus Item
8.32	Mountain Weather
8.32.2	Define the Föhn wind.
8.32.4	In Föhn wind conditions, describe the typical weather: (a) to windward of the mountain range; (b) above the mountain range; (c) on the lee side of the mountain range.
8.32.6	Describe the mountain lee-wave (standing wave) development process.
8.32.8	Describe the formation of rotor zones.
8.32.10	Explain the associated dangers of rotor zones to aircraft operations.
8.32.12	With regard to VFR flight in a light aircraft in mountainous terrain, describe the meteorological factors that should be considered during the flight planning phase and en route, including: (a) cloud base; (b) turbulence; (c) adverse and favourable winds; (d) visibility; (e) track selection; (f) the anticipated timing of any expected weather change.

8.30 Thunderstorms

Sub Topic	Syllabus Item
8.30	Thunderstorms
8.30.2	State the three conditions required for the development of thunderstorms.
8.30.4	Describe the three stages in the life-cycle of a thunderstorm.
8.30.6	List the hazards associated with thunderstorms.
8.30.8	Explain why light aircraft should always avoid flight in the vicinity of thunderstorms.

8.22 Clouds

Sub Topic	Syllabus Item
8.22	Clouds
8.22.2	Describe the cloud formation process.
8.22.4	Describe the operational characteristics of the cloud sensor used in Automatic Weather Stations (AWS), and reported in METAR AUTO reports.
8.22.6	State the approximate altitude limits (in New Zealand latitudes) of: (a) high cloud; (b) middle cloud; (c) low cloud.
8.22.8	Describe the meaning of the following cloud terms: (a) cumulus or cumulo (prefix); (b) stratus or strato (prefix); (c) alto (prefix); (d) nimbo (prefix) or nimbus (suffix); (e) cirrus or cirro (prefix).
8.22.10	Describe the following lifting mechanisms found in the atmosphere: (a) orographic; (b) convection (including ‘thermals’); (c) turbulence; (d) widespread ascent (including fronts).
8.22.12	List the cloud types associated with each lifting mechanism.
8.22.14	Describe the following cloud types including likely associated turbulence and precipitation: (a) stratocumulus; (b) stratus; (c) cumulus; (d) cumulonimbus/towering cumulus; (e) lenticular.
8.22.16	Visually identify the following cloud types: (a) towering cumulus; (b) cumulonimbus.
8.22.18	Explain how, in well-mixed conditions, changes in surface temperature and/or dew point relate to the cloud base.
8.22.20	Describe the processes that lead to cloud dissipation.

8.14 Local Winds

Sub Topic	Syllabus Item
8.14	Local Winds
8.14.2	Describe the development of sea breezes with reference to: (a) horizontal and vertical limits around New Zealand; (b) timing of the occurrence; (c) average strength of the sea breeze; (d) associated cloud and precipitation; (e) associated turbulence.
8.14.4	Describe the development of katabatic winds with reference to: (a) timing of the occurrence; (b) average strength of katabatic winds over New Zealand.
8.14.6	Describe the effect of local obstructions on wind flow.
8.14.8	Describe terrain channelling in New Zealand.
8.14.10	Explain how atmospheric stability enhances terrain channelling.

8.12 Wind

Sub Topic	Syllabus Item
8.12	Wind
8.12.2	Define the measurement of the standard surface wind in aviation meteorological reports and forecasts.
8.12.4	State the units used to describe wind speed.
8.12.6	State the units used to describe wind direction with reference to: (a) forecasts and observations issued by MetService; (b) spot winds relayed to pilots by Air Traffic Control.
8.12.8	List the three forces acting to generate wind at low-levels.
8.12.10	Outline the cause of Coriolis force.
8.12.12	List the three properties of Coriolis force.
8.12.14	Define the ‘geostrophic wind’.
8.12.16	Explain how friction affects the surface wind velocity.
8.12.18	Explain what is meant by the ‘friction layer’.
8.12.20	Describe the elements that influence the depth of the ‘friction layer’.
8.12.22	Define the following terms: (a) gust; (b) squall; (c) veering; (d) backing.
8.12.24	Describe the diurnal variation of the surface wind over the: (a) land; (b) sea.
8.12.26	Describe the changes in wind velocity when climbing out of, or descending through, the friction layer.
8.12.28	Describe the limitations of windsocks in New Zealand.
8.12.30	Describe how an approximate wind direction can be determined from: (a) ripples on water; (b) wind lanes on water; (c) wind shadow on bodies of water; (d) cloud shadows.
8.12.32	State Buys Ballot’s Law.
8.12.34	Explain how applying Buys Ballot’s Law can: (a) determine the location of high and low pressure areas; (b) be used as a basic forecasting tool.