WeatherQuestion 79 of 100
What best describes a microburst?
a.A slow, wide column of rising air that can lift an sUAS above 400 ft AGL
b.A gradual change of wind direction with altitude over several thousand feet
c.An intense localized downdraft causing severe wind shear for about 15 minutes
d.A steady sea breeze front that pushes inland during the warmest afternoon hours
Explanation
A microburst is a small but extremely strong downdraft that slams into the ground and spreads outward, generating severe wind shear with horizontal winds that can exceed 100 knots, and an individual microburst typically lasts only about 15 minutes. That short life and small size make it hard to see coming, which is exactly why remote pilots avoid the area near any convective cell. It is a downdraft rather than an updraft, and it is far more violent and abrupt than a normal wind gradient or a sea breeze.
Practice all 100 questions free — no signup required.
Related questions on this topic
- During a morning survey you notice building cumulus clouds, gusty winds, and unusually crisp visibility. What does this suggest?
- The surface temperature is 20 °C. Using the standard lapse rate, what temperature would you expect at 3,000 ft AGL?
- An evening METAR reports the temperature and dew point as 14/12. What does this small spread tell the remote pilot?
- After a clear, calm night over damp farmland, a shallow layer of fog appears around sunrise. What type of fog is this?
- Which thunderstorm stage is the most hazardous, and what defines it?
- On a cold morning you find a thin coat of frost on your aircraft's arms and propeller blades. What is the correct action?
Last reviewed: · editorial process
PrepPass Editorial Team · Verified against FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate Knowledge Test · How we review