A student pilot carried out two identical cross-country flights at 2 000 ft, one in the afternoon and the other just after sunrise. On returning from the early morning cross-country flight the student asked why the flight was so much smoother and easier to fly. How can this observation be explained?

Question

A student pilot carried out two identical cross-country flights at 2 000 ft, one in the afternoon and the other just after sunrise. On returning from the early morning cross-country flight the student asked why the flight was so much smoother and easier to fly.  How can this observation be explained?

Answer

The increased stability and reduced convection likely decreased the upper limit of the turbulent friction layer to below 2000 ft on the early morning cross-country flight.

Answer

The strong nocturnal inversion present in the early morning most likely stopped turbulence and wind shear.

Answer

The low-level winds at night, and in the early morning, are usually much stronger and more laminar compared to those in the afternoon.

Answer

In the early morning, the changes in stability and the lighter winds lift the friction layer to well above 2 000 ft.

Crowdly

A student pilot carried out two identical cross-country flights at 2 000 ft, one...

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