AMCAcceptable means of compliance
AMC1 ATCO.D.010(a)(1)Composition of initial training – Basic training
SUBJECT 4: METEOROLOGY The subject objective is: Learners shall describe how meteorology affects ATS operations and aircraft performance, and apply meteorological information in the basic operational procedures of ATS. [applicable until 3 August 2024 - ED Decision 2019/023/R]
| TOPIC METB 1 — INTRODUCTION TO METEOROLOGY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Subtopic METB 1.1 — Application of units of measurement | |||
| BASIC METB 1.1.1 | Apply the units of measurement appropriate to meteorology. | 3 | |
| Subtopic METB 1.2 — Aviation and meteorology | |||
| BASIC METB 1.2.1 | Explain the relevance of meteorology in aviation. | 2 | |
| BASIC METB 1.2.2 | Explain the requirements for the provision of meteorological information available to operators, flight crew members, and to air traffic services. | 2 | Regulation (EU) 2017/373 Optional content: ICAO Annex 3, ICAO Annex 11 |
| BASIC METB 1.2.3 | State the meteorological hazards to aviation. | 1 | Turbulence, thunderstorms, icing, micro bursts, squall, macro burst, wind shear, volcanic ash |
| Subtopic METB 1.3 — Organisation of meteorological service | |||
| BASIC METB 1.3.1 | Name the basic duties, organisation and working methods of meteorological offices. | 1 | Optional content: WAFS, WAFC, MWO, VAAC, TCAC, SADIS |
| BASIC METB 1.3.2 | State the international and national standards for coordination between ATS and MET services. | 1 | |
[applicable until 3 August 2024 - ED Decision 2019/023/R]
| TOPIC METB 1 — INTRODUCTION TO METEOROLOGY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Subtopic METB 1.1 — Application of units of measurement | |||
| BASIC METB 1.1.1 | Apply the units of measurement appropriate to meteorology. | 3 | |
| Subtopic METB 1.2 — Aviation and meteorology | |||
| BASIC METB 1.2.1 | Recognise the relevance of meteorology in aviation. | 1 | |
| BASIC METB 1.2.2 | Explain the requirements for the provision of meteorological information available to operators, flight crew members, and to air traffic services. | 2 | Regulation (EU) 2017/373 Optional content: ICAO Annex 3, ICAO Annex 11 |
| BASIC METB 1.2.3 | State the meteorological hazards to aviation. | 1 | Turbulence, thunderstorms, icing, micro bursts, squall, macro burst, wind shear, volcanic ash |
| Subtopic METB 1.3 — Organisation of meteorological service | |||
| BASIC METB 1.3.1 | State the basic duties of meteorological offices. | 1 | Optional content: WAFS, WAFC, MWO, VAAC, TCAC, SADIS, aerodrome meteorological office, aeronautical meteorological station |
| BASIC METB 1.3.2 | State the international and national standards for coordination between ATS and MET services. | 1 | |
[applicable from 4 August 2024 - ED Decision 2023/011/R]
| TOPIC METB 2 — ATMOSPHERE | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subtopic METB 2.1 — Composition and structure | ||||
| BASIC METB 2.1.1 | State the composition and structure of the atmosphere. | 1 | Gases, layers | |
| BASIC METB 2.1.2 | Describe the basic characteristics of the atmospheric parameters measured. | 2 | Temperature, pressure, wind, humidity, density | |
| BASIC METB 2.1.3 | List the tools used for the collection of meteorological data. | 1 | Optional content: barometer, thermometer, ceilometer, anemometer, weather balloons, transmissometer, radar, satellites, etc. | |
| Subtopic METB 2.2 — Standard atmosphere | ||||
| BASIC METB 2.2.1 | Describe the elements of the ISA. | 2 | Temperature, pressure, density | |
| BASIC METB 2.2.2 | State the reasons why the ISA has been defined. | 1 | ||
| Subtopic METB 2.3 — Heat and temperature | ||||
| BASIC METB 2.3.1 | Define the processes by which heat is transferred and how the atmosphere is heated. | 1 | Radiation, convection, advection, conduction, water cycle | |
| BASIC METB 2.3.2 | Describe how temperature varies. | 2 | Adiabatic processes, lapse rates, stability, instability | |
| BASIC METB 2.3.3 | State the influencing factors on surface temperature. | 1 | ||
| Subtopic METB 2.4 — Water in the atmosphere | ||||
| BASIC METB 2.4.1 | Differentiate between the different processes related to atmospheric moisture. | 2 | Condensation, evaporation, sublimation, saturation | |
| BASIC METB 2.4.2 | Characterise relative humidity, dew point and latent heat. | 2 | ||
| Subtopic METB 2.5 — Air pressure | ||||
| BASIC METB 2.5.1 | Describe the relationship between pressure, temperature, density and height. | 2 | ||
| BASIC METB 2.5.2 | Explain the relationship between pressure settings. | 2 | QFE, QNH, standard pressure | |
| BASIC METB 2.5.3 | Explain the effect of air pressure and temperature on altimeter readings and the true altitude of aircraft. | 2 | ||
| BASIC METB 2.5.4 | State how atmospheric pressure is measured. | 1 | ||
[applicable until 3 August 2024 - ED Decision 2019/023/R]
| TOPIC METB 2 — ATMOSPHERE | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subtopic METB 2.1 — Composition and structure | ||||
| BASIC METB 2.1.1 | State the composition and structure of the atmosphere. | 1 | Gases, layers | |
| BASIC METB 2.1.2 | Describe the basic characteristics of the atmospheric parameters measured. | 2 | Temperature, pressure, wind, humidity, density | |
| BASIC METB 2.1.3 | List the tools used for the collection of meteorological data. | 1 | Optional content: barometer, thermometer, ceilometer, anemometer, weather balloons, transmissometer, radar, satellites, etc. | |
| Subtopic METB 2.2 — Standard atmosphere | ||||
| BASIC METB 2.2.1 | Describe the elements of the International Standard Atmosphere (ISA). | 2 | Temperature, pressure, density | |
| BASIC METB 2.2.2 | State the reasons why the ISA has been defined. | 1 | ||
| Subtopic METB 2.3 — Heat and temperature | ||||
| BASIC METB 2.3.1 | Define the processes by which heat is transferred and how the atmosphere is heated. | 1 | Radiation, convection, advection, conduction, water cycle | |
| BASIC METB 2.3.2 | Describe how temperature varies. | 2 | Adiabatic processes, lapse rates, stability, instability | |
| BASIC METB 2.3.3 | State the influencing factors on surface temperature. | 1 | ||
| Subtopic METB 2.4 — Water in the atmosphere | ||||
| BASIC METB 2.4.1 | Differentiate between the different processes related to atmospheric moisture. | 2 | Condensation, evaporation, sublimation, saturation | |
| BASIC METB 2.4.2 | Characterise relative humidity, dew point and latent heat. | 2 | ||
| Subtopic METB 2.5 — Air pressure | ||||
| BASIC METB 2.5.1 | Describe the relationship between pressure, temperature, density and height. | 2 | ||
| BASIC METB 2.5.2 | Explain the relationship between pressure settings. | 2 | QFE, QNH, standard pressure | |
| BASIC METB 2.5.3 | Explain the effect of air pressure and temperature on altimeter readings and the true altitude of aircraft. | 2 | ||
[applicable from 4 August 2024 - ED Decision 2023/011/R]
| TOPIC METB 3 — ATMOSPHERIC CIRCULATION | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Subtopic METB 3.1 — General air circulation | |||
| BASIC METB 3.1.1 | State the major atmospheric circulation features on the Earth. | 1 | Optional content: Hadley cells, high and low belts, polar fronts, westerly winds, upper-level jet streams |
| Subtopic METB 3.2 — Air masses and frontal systems | |||
| BASIC METB 3.2.1 | Describe the origin and movement of typical air masses and their general effect on European weather. | 2 | Polar, arctic, tropical, equatorial (maritime and continental) |
| BASIC METB 3.2.2 | Describe the main isobaric features. | 2 | Cyclones, anticyclones, ridge, trough |
| BASIC METB 3.2.3 | Describe the difference between various fronts and the associated weather. | 2 | Warm front, cold front, occluded front |
| Subtopic METB 3.3 — Mesoscale systems | |||
| BASIC METB 3.3.1 | Describe the main phenomena caused by mesoscale systems. | 2 | Mountain waves, Föhn, slope and valley winds, thunderstorm, squall line Optional content: land/sea breezes, tornadoes, land spouts, waterspouts |
| BASIC METB 3.3.2 | Explain the relevance of mesoscale systems to aviation. | 2 | |
| Subtopic METB 3.4 — Wind | |||
| BASIC METB 3.4.1 | Explain the significance of wind phenomena and types. | 2 | Optional content: veering, backing, gusting, jet streams, land/sea breezes, Föhn, surface, upper |
| BASIC METB 3.4.2 | State how wind is measured. | 1 | |
| BASIC METB 3.4.3 | Explain the effect of forces which influence wind. | 2 | |
[applicable until 3 August 2024 - ED Decision 2019/023/R]
| TOPIC METB 3 — ATMOSPHERIC CIRCULATION | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Subtopic METB 3.1 — General air circulation | |||
| BASIC METB 3.1.1 | State the major atmospheric circulation features on the Earth. | 1 | Optional content: Hadley cells, high and low belts, polar fronts, westerly winds, upper-level jet streams |
| Subtopic METB 3.2 — Air masses and frontal systems | |||
| BASIC METB 3.2.1 | State the typical air masses relevant to European weather. | 1 | Optional content: polar, arctic, tropical, equatorial (maritime and continental) |
| BASIC METB 3.2.2 | Recognise the main isobaric features. | 1 | Optional content: cyclones, anticyclones |
| BASIC METB 3.2.3 | Describe the difference between various fronts and the associated weather. | 1 | Warm front, cold front, occluded front |
| Subtopic METB 3.3 — Mesoscale systems | |||
| BASIC METB 3.3.1 | Recognise the main phenomena caused by mesoscale systems. | 1 | Mountain waves, valley winds, thunderstorm, squall line Optional content: land/sea breezes, tornadoes, land spouts, waterspouts, Föhn, slope winds |
| BASIC METB 3.3.2 | Explain the relevance of mesoscale systems to aviation. | 2 | |
| Subtopic METB 3.4 — Wind | |||
| BASIC METB 3.4.1 | Explain the significance of wind phenomena and types. | 2 | Optional content: veering, backing, gusting, jet streams, land/sea breezes, Föhn, surface, upper |
| BASIC METB 3.4.2 | State the means by which wind is measured. | 1 | Anemometer, wind sock Optional content: wind sensor, Beaufort scale, etc. |
| BASIC METB 3.4.3 | Explain the effect of forces which influence wind. | 2 | |
[applicable from 4 August 2024 - ED Decision 2023/011/R]
| TOPIC METB 4 — METEOROLOGICAL PHENOMENA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Subtopic METB 4.1 — Clouds | |||
| BASIC METB 4.1.1 | Explain the different conditions for the formation of clouds. | 2 | |
| BASIC METB 4.1.2 | Recognise different cloud types. | 1 | |
| BASIC METB 4.1.3 | State the cloud types’ main characteristics. | 1 | |
| BASIC METB 4.1.4 | State how the cloud base and the amount of cloud are measured and/or observed. | 1 | |
| BASIC METB 4.1.5 | Define cloud base and ceiling. | 1 | |
| BASIC METB 4.1.6 | Differentiate between cloud base and ceiling. | 2 | |
| Subtopic METB 4.2 — Types of precipitation | |||
| BASIC METB 4.2.1 | Explain the significance of precipitation in aviation. | 2 | |
| BASIC METB 4.2.2 | Describe types of precipitation and their corresponding cloud families. | 2 | Optional content: rain, snow, snow grains, hail, ice pellets, ice crystals, drizzle |
| Subtopic METB 4.3 — Visibility | |||
| BASIC METB 4.3.1 | Explain the causes of atmospheric obscurity. | 2 | |
| BASIC METB 4.3.2 | Differentiate between different types of visibility. | 2 | Horizontal visibility, slant visibility, prevailing visibility, RVR |
| BASIC METB 4.3.3 | State how visibility is measured. | 1 | |
| BASIC METB 4.3.4 | Explain the significance of visibility in aviation. | 2 | |
| Subtopic METB 4.4 — Meteorological hazards | |||
| BASIC METB 4.4.1 | Explain the meteorological hazards to aviation. | 2 | Turbulence, icing, micro bursts, macro burst, wind shear, thunderstorms, volcanic ash Optional content: squall |
| BASIC METB 4.4.2 | Describe the effect of meteorological hazards on aviation. | 2 | |
[applicable until 3 August 2024 - ED Decision 2019/023/R]
| TOPIC METB 4 — METEOROLOGICAL PHENOMENA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Subtopic METB 4.1 — Clouds | |||
| BASIC METB 4.1.1 | Explain the different conditions for the formation of clouds. | 2 | |
| BASIC METB 4.1.2 | State the different cloud types and their main characteristics. | 1 | |
| BASIC METB 4.1.3 | State how the cloud base and the amount of cloud are measured and/or observed. | 1 | |
| BASIC METB 4.1.4 | Define cloud base and ceiling. | 1 | |
| BASIC METB 4.1.5 | Differentiate between cloud base and ceiling. | 2 | |
| Subtopic METB 4.2 — Types of precipitation | |||
| BASIC METB 4.2.1 | Explain the significance of precipitation in aviation. | 2 | |
| BASIC METB 4.2.2 | Describe types of precipitation and their corresponding cloud families. | 2 | Optional content: rain, snow, snow grains, hail, ice pellets, ice crystals, drizzle |
| Subtopic METB 4.3 — Visibility | |||
| BASIC METB 4.3.1 | Explain the causes of atmospheric obscurity. | 2 | |
| BASIC METB 4.3.2 | Differentiate between different types of visibility. | 2 | Horizontal visibility, slant visibility, prevailing visibility, RVR |
| BASIC METB 4.3.3 | State the means by which visibility is measured. | 1 | |
| BASIC METB 4.3.4 | Explain the significance of visibility in aviation. | 2 | |
| Subtopic METB 4.4 — Meteorological hazards | |||
| BASIC METB 4.4.1 | Explain the meteorological hazards to aviation. | 2 | Turbulence, icing, micro bursts, macro burst, wind shear, thunderstorms, volcanic ash Optional content: squall |
| BASIC METB 4.4.2 | Describe the effect of meteorological hazards on aviation. | 2 | |
[applicable from 4 August 2024 - ED Decision 2023/011/R]
| TOPIC METB 5 — METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION FOR AVIATION | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Subtopic METB 5.1 — Messages and reports | |||
| BASIC METB 5.1.1 | Decode the content of weather reports and forecasts. | 3 | METAR, SPECI, TAF, SIGMET Optional content: local reports |
AMC · AMC1 ATCO.D.010(a)(1) — Regulation (EU) 2015/340 · ED Decision 2023/011/R · ATCO Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 14 Jun 2024