FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATM)Meteorology and Weather ServicesMedium
A flight planner reviewing weather advisories notes an AIRMET Tango has been issued for the route of flight. What hazard does this advisory specifically address?
- AVolcanic ash affecting flight operations above FL180
- BModerate turbulence, sustained surface winds of 30 knots or greater, or low-level wind shear
- CSevere icing not associated with thunderstorms
- DWidespread sand or dust storms reducing visibility below 3 miles
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Moderate turbulence, sustained surface winds of 30 knots or greater, or low-level wind shear
AIRMET Tango (turbulence) covers moderate turbulence, sustained surface winds of 30 knots or greater, or nonconvective low-level wind shear. AIRMET Sierra covers IFR/mountain obscuration, AIRMET Zulu covers icing, and severe conditions would be covered by SIGMETs.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Volcanic ash is addressed by SIGMET, not AIRMET Tango.
- C. Severe icing is covered by a SIGMET, not AIRMET Tango.
- D. Dust/sandstorms reducing visibility are covered under SIGMET criteria, not AIRMET Tango.
AIRMET Tango
An AIRMET advisory for moderate turbulence, sustained surface winds of 30 knots or more, or nonconvective low-level wind shear.
- AIRMET Sierra = IFR conditions/mountain obscuration
- AIRMET Tango = turbulence and strong surface winds
- AIRMET Zulu = icing and freezing levels
Memory trick: Sierra=Sight(IFR), Tango=Turbulence, Zulu=iZe(icing)