FAA Private Pilot Airplane (PAR)Weather Theory and ServicesEasy
During a preflight weather briefing, a pilot is told that a maritime tropical (mT) air mass will influence the route of flight. What characteristics should the pilot expect from this air mass?
- ACold and dry
- BWarm and moist
- CCold and moist
- DWarm and dry
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Warm and moist
Air masses are classified by their source region. A maritime tropical (mT) air mass forms over warm tropical oceans, making it warm and moist, often bringing high humidity and instability.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This describes a continental polar (cP) air mass.
- C. This combination doesn't match a standard classification for mT.
- D. This describes a continental tropical (cT) air mass.
Air Mass Classification
Air masses are named for their source region's moisture (maritime/continental) and temperature (tropical/polar/arctic) characteristics.
- mT = maritime tropical = warm, moist
- cP = continental polar = cold, dry
- Air mass properties are modified as they move over different surfaces
Memory trick: Maritime = wet like the sea, Tropical = hot like the tropics