Meteorology mistakes
Meteorology is the most common weak A2 topic — fix these first.
Contents
Exam tip
METAR mistakes in the A2 exam
METAR is the routine aviation weather observation report. The A2 exam tests whether candidates can decode METAR codes: visibility, cloud cover (BKN, OVC, FEW, SCT), wind and the temperature/dew-point spread.
The most common mistake: confusing reported visibility with acceptable flight conditions. METAR visibility is in metres or kilometres — know the EASA VFR minima that prohibit flight.
Understanding wind reports
Wind speed in METAR is in knots (kt). A2 questions test: how wind affects aircraft performance, what wind speed is considered too strong for safe operations, and how to read wind direction correctly.
Common mistake: confusing wind direction (from which direction it blows) with the direction it is blowing towards. In meteorology, wind direction is always stated as the direction it blows from.
Cloud cover and base height
Cloud coverage codes: FEW (1–2 oktas), SCT (3–4), BKN (5–7), OVC (8). The A2 exam requires knowing the minimum height above cloud base for VFR flight and how this relates to VLOS operations.
Another common error: confusing cloud base height with actual flight altitude (AGL vs AMSL). Drones use AGL — height above ground level.
How to fix meteorology weaknesses
Meteorology is the most common weak topic in A2 exams. The solution: study from real METAR examples, not from abstract definitions. The A2STS meteorology question block lets you practise intensively.
Create METAR decoding sessions: take a real airport METAR and work through it question by question. This is more effective than reading theory passages.
Frequently asked questions
- How many meteorology questions appear in the A2 exam?
- Meteorology makes up roughly 20–25% of A2 questions. From 30 questions, expect 6–8 on this topic.
- Do I need to know how to read TAF reports?
- The A2 exam focuses mainly on METAR. TAF may appear but less frequently. Prioritise METAR reading skills first.
Authority & sources
A2STS Editorial · Reviewed by: EASA UAS syllabus aligned