Hi all

I'm working towards on IATRA and there is minor issue with this online prep question.


Which is the incorrect statement regarding the highlighted area?

Select one:
A. A cloud layer exists based between 400 to 1 000 feet AGL covering more than 50% of this region.
B. Ceilings as low as 200 feet AGL are expected only within the region where the arrow is pointing.


The correct answer is: Ceilings as low as 200 feet AGL are expected only within the region where the arrow is pointing.
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I chose A because the weather of the statement is at another separated precipitation zone divided by green dashed line located on east of the region so there would be no such described weather on highlighted spot(400 to 1,000 feet AGL layer); incorrect

Also I think B is right statement since the weather was arrowed out into southeast corner where there is another separated small precipitation apart from the two main precipitation zones so 'expected only within the region where the arrow is pointing' is right statement in my opinion.

But the correct incorrect answer, the system says, is B.
My nut size brain is having a hard time to understand that answer.... can anyone help me out?
Thank you

Ah yes, the "decode this old format information that is vague and inaccurate."

We as pilots have a shit tonne of data to draw from that put GFAs to shame.

If you want to get technical, answer A is written as factual report that a condition exists whereas the GFA is a forecast of possible weather. A case of present tense versus future tense makes answer A absolutely incorrect.

Ask your exam provider to explain the answer and maybe ask them to update the 12 year old question in the meantime.

gustind wrote: ↑Sat Jul 10, 2021 6:21 am If you want to get technical, answer A is written as factual report that a condition exists whereas the GFA is a forecast of possible weather. A case of present tense versus future tense makes answer A absolutely incorrect.

Ask your exam provider to explain the answer and maybe ask them to update the 12 year old question in the meantime.

Appreciate for the opinion.
I already asked to get a better detailed explanation but the return was automated machined like replying.
I think they will keep using this materials for another next 12 years

It's just so wrong either way...

One of the answers is about current conditions, whereas you're looking at a forecast. And the other answer refers to a single arrow, and there are three arrows on the chart (although the frontal arrow can be disregarded). So, which arrow are they referring to with B?

For an exam, I would argue it's unfair to expect someone to calculate "50% of this area" with all the information presented, so in a pinch, I would default to B. But then again, B refers to one arrow, and there are two (leaving aside the high pressure system).

If I had to answer this question on an exam (and I'm up for the PPAER shortly), I would say B, with 66.6% certainty.

But I agree, it's a dumb exam question.

A bunch of wealthy knowledge had been shared already,

My poinnt of view with these type of questions is as follow:

Look at the GFA see whats it about,

Next up check the answers and start you process of elimination,

Bit like some of the above had stated prior; its confusing,

Some of these you can answer straight forward not even think about it, but then there are others and u just have to approach it correctly i guess

I think the rationale is that the red scalloped area of clouds is the area that the yellow question mark is highlighting; the green line divides areas of differing forecast visibility and ceiling in the eastern sections near Hudson Bay, but it's still associated with the same region of cloud coverage.

Even though B is a correct statement on its own, it's a more separate region of weather and therefore is 'less correct' in relation to the question.

I agree with all the above criticism though... it's a question that challenges one's ability to read the mind of a vague and inconsistent exam writer far more than one's ability to interpret a GFA...

marlin wrote: ↑Sun Jul 11, 2021 7:42 pm it's a question that challenges one's ability to read the mind of a vague and inconsistent exam writer far more than one's ability to interpret a GFA...

+1

The questions are always a "pick the most correct" with the information given. Answer a) says exactly 50%, but there's no way to determine the area within the oddly shaper scalloped lines, whereas one of the two boxes with the arrows literally says "LCL Cigs 2 AGL" or localized areas of ceilings 200' AGL which is more or less answer b).

Is it an SQ? yes. Is it and FSQ? no, but it's easy to get sidetracked by a poorly worded question.

co-joe wrote: ↑Wed Jul 14, 2021 7:34 am The questions are always a "pick the most correct" with the information given. Answer a) says exactly 50%, but there's no way to determine the area within the oddly shaper scalloped lines, whereas one of the two boxes with the arrows literally says "LCL Cigs 2 AGL" or localized areas of ceilings 200' AGL which is more or less answer b).

Yeah, but it's not the area that has the highlighted question mark in it. If that's supposed to indicate the area in question, "LCL Cigs 2 AGL" doesn't apply there.

I laugh at these questions, they are so typically Transport Canada.

GFAs were very useful in my 703 days flying in remote areas with not other weather reporting stations but these days? Debatable if they serve a purpose for anyone flying a plane with 19 seats or more.

AirFrame wrote: ↑Thu Jul 15, 2021 6:47 am

co-joe wrote: ↑Wed Jul 14, 2021 7:34 am The questions are always a "pick the most correct" with the information given. Answer a) says exactly 50%, but there's no way to determine the area within the oddly shaper scalloped lines, whereas one of the two boxes with the arrows literally says "LCL Cigs 2 AGL" or localized areas of ceilings 200' AGL which is more or less answer b).

Yeah, but it's not the area that has the highlighted question mark in it. If that's supposed to indicate the area in question, "LCL Cigs 2 AGL" doesn't apply there.

Yeah I saw that and assumed OP put that question mark there. I did say this is an SQ (Stupid Question) but by the process of elimination it doesn't say anywhere that "

A. A cloud layer exists based between 400 to 1 000 feet AGL covering more than 50% of this region.

In fact there's no such thing as a 50% cloud cover statement in use that I know of. So my best guess would have been the other answer, but fortunately for me I've run out of TC exams to write.

https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-cl ... ter-4.html

For non-convective wx/visual obstructions:

LCL - Local, 25% or less coverage of an area
PTCHY - Patchy, greater than 25% and up to 50%
XTNSV - Extensive, greater than 50%

Marlin nailed it. Terminology is key.

non-convective cloud spatial coverage - LCL, PTCHY, XTNSV (>50%)

convective cloud spatial coverage - ISOLD, OCNL, FRQ (>50%)

https://www.navcanada.ca/en/aviation-we ... -guide.pdf
It's not rocket surgery.