Given a field elevation of 1,500 feet MSL and tops of the overcast at 7,000 feet MSL, what is the thickness of the cloud layer?

To determine the thickness of the cloud layer, you need to subtract the field elevation from the elevation of the tops of the overcast clouds. In this case, the field elevation is 1,500 feet MSL and the tops of the overcast clouds are at 7,000 feet MSL.

The calculation would be as follows:

1. Identify the height of the cloud tops: 7,000 feet MSL.

2. Identify the field elevation: 1,500 feet MSL.

3. Subtract the field elevation from the cloud tops height: 7,000 feet - 1,500 feet = 5,500 feet.

However, note that this answer represents the distance from the field elevation to the cloud tops. To compute the thickness of the cloud layer, you also need to consider if there was any base of the clouds given. Since the question states only the tops of the clouds, the general expectation is to calculate the distance to the lowest part of the cloud layer if not specified.

If the cloud base was implicitly intended at the field elevation in this case, the thickness of the cloud layer would indeed be 5,500 feet, supporting the interpretation that the cloud layer starts at the field elevation and extends up