QUESTIONA remote pilot operates a small unmanned aircraft near a mountain while a strong wind blows across the ridge. On the leeward side of the mountain, the pilot should expect
- Aincreasingly turbulent air that tends to push the aircraft toward the terrain
- Bsmooth upward currents that help carry the aircraft over the peak of the mountain
- Ccalm air, because the mountain blocks the wind from reaching the downwind side
Show the answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. increasingly turbulent air that tends to push the aircraft toward the terrain
- A — correct On the leeward side the air follows the terrain downward and becomes increasingly turbulent, which tends to push an aircraft into the side of the mountain.
- B — incorrect Smooth upward flow occurs on the windward side; the leeward side behaves differently.
- C — incorrect The mountain does not shelter the leeward side; the descending air is turbulent, and the stronger the wind, the greater the turbulence.