As a passenger, you may find yourself flying in stormy skies or with little visibility. You can only see what is directly in front of you. You may also feel the aircraft sway. However, there is something we don’t see: what a pilot sees in front of him. Aside from the view in front, the flight deck has radar and terrain warning systems. As a result, always trust your pilots while flying in bad weather.
Remember that pilots undergo years of training, including time in a flying simulator. They replicate practically every condition that an aircraft may face in flight or on the ground. Manufacturers continue to enhance each plane’s safety features, and pilot training is regularly updated.
Furthermore, every pilot wants to return home safely and alive, which is why they will do all they can to guarantee that the aircraft takes off and lands safely.
Pilots may use a variety of methods and procedures to fly safely in bad weather. Here are a few such examples:
Weather radar
Most modern commercial planes have weather radar, which lets pilots spot bad weather and steer clear of it. Pilots can use radar to figure out how to get around rain and thunderstorms by figuring out where they are, how strong they are, and how fast they are moving.
Automatic flight control systems
Many commercial jets now come with automatic flight control systems like autopilot and auto throttle. These technologies could help pilots keep a safe speed and altitude when there is turbulence or other bad weather.
Instrument flight regulations (IFR)
Pilots are taught to use instruments instead of visual cues from the outside to keep the plane in the air. When visibility is poor or nonexistent, pilots may use the instruments to navigate, maintain altitude, and land safely.
Communication
To get the most up-to-date weather information, pilots keep constant touch with air traffic control, weather forecasters, and other pilots. They also give information about the weather, turbulence, and other dangers pilots face so that other pilots can plan routes and make decisions based on accurate information.
Alternative routes
If a pilot encounters unavoidable bad weather, he or she may opt to fly a different route to escape the worst of it. This may include flying at a higher altitude or taking a longer route to avoid a particular area of bad weather.
Diversion
If the weather at the destination airport is too poor, pilots may choose to divert the plane to another airport.
It’s important to remember that pilots are highly trained specialists who understand how to deal with bad weather. Flights may be delayed or even canceled if the weather is too poor to travel safely. When flying in bad weather, procedures differ depending on the airline, country, and aircraft.
Finally, keep in mind that there are several safety precautions in place, ranging from processes to regulations. Last but not least, pilots want to get home safely and intact. So, while flying in poor weather, always trust your pilots. They have been well trained to deal with them.
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
