FAA Instrument Rating Airplane (IRA)Weather and Weather ServicesMedium
An AIRMET Tango is issued for a region a pilot plans to transit at 8,000 feet MSL. What hazard should the pilot expect?
- ASevere thunderstorms with hail exceeding 3/4 inch diameter
- BModerate turbulence, sustained surface winds of 30 knots or greater, or low-level wind shear
- CWidespread areas of IFR ceilings and visibility
- DModerate icing and freezing levels below 10,000 feet
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Moderate turbulence, sustained surface winds of 30 knots or greater, or low-level wind shear
AIRMET Tango covers moderate turbulence, sustained surface winds of 30 knots or greater, and/or low-level wind shear not associated with thunderstorms. AIRMET Sierra covers IFR conditions and mountain obscuration, while AIRMET Zulu covers moderate icing and freezing levels; severe thunderstorms with large hail fall under a Convective SIGMET.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Severe thunderstorms with large hail meet Convective SIGMET criteria, not AIRMET Tango.
- C. This describes AIRMET Sierra, which addresses IFR ceilings/visibility and mountain obscuration.
- D. Icing and freezing level information is contained in AIRMET Zulu, not Tango.
AIRMET Tango
An AIRMET advising of moderate turbulence, sustained surface winds of 30 knots or more, and/or low-level wind shear.
- One of three AIRMET types: Sierra (IFR/mountain obscuration), Tango (turbulence/wind), Zulu (icing/freezing level)
- Valid for 6 hours with outlook
- Advises of hazards significant to light aircraft, not necessarily hazardous to all aircraft
Memory trick: Sierra=Sky (IFR), Tango=Turbulence, Zulu=ice — S-T-Z for AIRMETs.