Summer Flying Hazards

6/20/2012
Posted in Flight Training

Tags: summer flying, hazards, thunderstorms, haze, cold-fronts

With thunderstorms you also run the risk of developing tornadoes (I don’t think we need to explain why we should avoid those) and large hail stones that can be thrown from the storm for up to 20 miles downwind of the thunderstorm cell. These can cause severe damage to any aircraft. In general you want to avoid flying on the downwind side of the thunderstorm by at least 50 miles.  

We also need to be wary of embedded thunderstorms. These are thunderstorms that develop in larger cloud masses and may not be visible to the IFR pilot. Pilots flying through what are relatively smooth clouds may find themselves right smack in the middle of an incredibly devastating storm.

So what can we do to avoid the risk of thunderstorms?

1. Do not fly anywhere near them!
2. Remember the 3 ingredients needed to create thunderstorms. Unstable air, moisture, and a lifting action.
3. Check your convective outlook charts for potential thunderstorm risks. The CCFP tool on www.aviationweather.gov is a great tool.
4. If able, take a look at an infrared satellite chart. These will show areas of cooling air, which are likely caused by the adiabatic cooling of air as it rises. This is a tell tale sign of a developing thunderstorm. Radar charts and summaries will only show already developed thunderstorms.
5. Avoid flying across fast moving cold fronts.
6. Be wary of flying during the later afternoon hours. This is when the majority of non-frontal thunderstorms occur.
7. Even with airborne radar and storm-scope equipped aircraft, I urge all pilots to consider the risks associated with flying near thunderstorms and not use their onboard equipment as a crutch or excuse.
8. Call a Pre-Flight Briefer (1-800-WXBRIEF) prior to flying.

Density Altitude:

Your instructor should be teaching you or should have taught you about density altitude and how it can effect the performance of your aircraft. Remember the lift equation?

Lift = (Coefficient of Lift x Air Density x Air Velocity² x Surface Area)/2

Your wing is going to produce less lift on a day where the air density is less, such as on a hot summer day. What is often overlooked is the fact that your propeller is also an airfoil and produces lift, which we use as thrust. A decrease in air density will not only decrease the lift that your wing can produce, but it will also decrease the thrust that your propeller will be producing. The combination results in significantly decreased performance that can be hazardous and devastating to aircraft operating on either short or high elevation runways.

Assuming you are flying an aircraft with a normally aspirated engine (meaning it is not turbo or super charged) then your engine will also produce less power. Every combustion engine needs both air and fuel to be mixed at the proper ratio to produce its maximum power. With a decrease in air density an engine will require a decrease in fuel to maintain the proper combustible ratio inside the cylinders. If not, you run the risk of flooding the engine. If this does happen, your engine will suffer from a significant decrease in power as well as the likely fouling of your spark plugs. This can ultimately lead to a complete loss of power in one or more cylinders.

If the temperature is high or the pressure altitude is high then its best to consult your aircraft performance charts to ensure that you can conduct a safe flight in the higher than standard density altitude.

Clear Skies are Safer:

The rather sad truth is that the majority of mid-air collisions occur on sunny, clear, and calm days. This is largely attributed to the false sense of security pilots feel when the visibility is good. It is easier to spot aircraft on clear days and because of this pilots will tend to decrease their vigilance in looking for traffic under the assumption that they can spot threats easier.

If you think about it, don’t most pilots want to go flying on those beautiful clear days? Its reasonable then to assume that there will likely be more aircraft in the skies! Because of this we need to maintain our vigilance in looking for and avoiding aircraft even on the clearest of days. You should always be looking for traffic. Dip the nose on climbs, exercise shallow S-Turns, and check your blind spots prior to turning (lift a wing if needed). Remember that rule #1 in flying is the same as driving; Don't hit anything!
 

In conclusion, summer flying has its hazards. However, just because there are hazards, it does not mean that flying in the summer cannot be done safely and with great enjoyment! As with every aspect of flying, we need to treat weather with the respect that it rightly deserves. If we exercise caution and avoid the hazardous attitude of “get-there-itis” then flying in the summer can be extremely rewarding and an incredibly enjoyable experience! Stay vigilant and fly safe!

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