Weather hazards

 The greatest weather hazard is thunderstorms. At the cumulus stage, they are created when sufficient moisture and instability are present in the atmosphere. The clouds increase in vertical height and after it reaches a mature stage when rain or ice begins to fall. The dissipating stage is when the downdrafts spread out, with violent winds (FAA, 2016). A thunderstorm can extend all the way to 60,000 ft and it can create wing updrafts and wind shear, which is a rapid change in wind velocity and/or direction at a very short distance. Precipitation, visibility, and ceiling are affected by thunderstorms. Thunderstorms reduce visibility, and ceiling which are necessary for pilots to land. It can also create squall lines, tornados, turbulence, icing, hail, and engine water ingestion (FAA, 2016), risking any flight that encounters one. All this affects the go no go decision. This proves the importance of aviation weather services for students, private, and professional pilots so they can be aware of where and when weather hazards would affect the flight, including more than just thunderstorms. 


FAA. (2016). Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.  Retrieved on April 7, 2022, from https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/phak/14_phak_ch12.pdf 



Comments

  1. Eric JApril 10, 2022 at 8:30 PM

    Great post and I totally agree that thunderstorms are the greatest weather hazards posing threat to aviation safety. I view thunderstorms as being both predictable and unpredictable. We all know what thunderstorms bring to the table, but we just don't know what combination of problems it may present. As a pilot or aviator, avoiding all thunderstorms is inevitable. With that being said, I agree that the importance of training, having the best technology and equipment, and utilizing past history and experiences will be the key to maintaining safe flight operations.

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