Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Types Of Weather Conditions Jet Pilots See

By Chris Channing

Weather is a closely monitored component for pilots of all backgrounds. The United Airlines pilot and the hobbyist going solo both must be up to date on weather patterns, how to tell when a storm is coming, and how to stay safe when things get rough.

A pilot is informed of weather conditions long before a flight actually takes place. There are special weather maps and interactive services, including radio broadcast, that are used to communicate weather patterns to pilots. Know that most flights will be canceled with even a hint of potential danger. Even before a flight begins, there is much research and factors that go into deciding whether or not to take off.

Crosswind is the term used to describe wind that intersects the plane. It is of particular concern when landing or taking off as a pilot. High crosswind will deter the success of a take off or landing, as it can easily blow the plane off course. Pilots that read crosswind activity will either assume the conditions are safe enough to account for normal turbulence, or attempt to land once conditions improve.

Even if the sky is blue without a cloud in sight, a pilot must be on the look out for a rapid weather change. Rapid weather changes can occur on short flights, but are even more common on longer flights that take jets through different environments around the nation or globe. Rapid weather can be detected early, and if done correctly, will only be experienced as mild turbulence.

In the event of a thunderstorm quickly approaching, a pilot will quickly find an alternative landing strip. Thunderstorms are particularly dangerous, since they can form quickly and pose a severe risk to jets in the air. If no airport is close enough, a pilot will just have to pilot around the storm if possible. In this event, data is relayed to the pilot to get a clear picture of what the storm looks like and how to circumvent it.

You won't see many planes take off or land when there is high fog. Fog is primarily a problem for these two actions, but can also prove to be harmful for planes flying at the skyline level. Buildings today are equipped with lights to warn pilots of an impending crash, but with high fog this warning may come too late. It can take several hours for fog to clear enough for a pilot to safely attempt a landing or take off.

In Conclusion

Private jet owners and pilots in general must be extremely familiar with weather patterns even to get in the business. You are generally in safe hands when dealing with weather conditions, so you don't have much cause to worry if frightened. - 39815

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