Understanding Potential Scenarios When Aircraft Encounter Storms During Flight.
>>> Safety Skills for Emergency Situations on Aircraft
Can airplanes survive storms?… Absolutely
First and foremost, it is important to affirm that the danger posed by storms is not as severe as commonly perceived. Many people believe that every aircraft encountering a storm will meet with disaster, but this is not the case.
History has seen U.S. military pilots fly straight into storms for sheer enjoyment and still survive. Moreover, many unmanned aircraft have been specifically designed to fly into storms to gather meteorological data.
AT-6 Aircraft of the U.S. Air Force – one of the piloted aircraft that survived flying through a storm
Thus, it can be said that aircraft can indeed survive storms. According to aviation experts, if pilots remain calm and possess extensive experience, they can navigate an aircraft safely out of a storm without facing danger.
Flying Through Storms is Not Unusual
Severe storms are one of the reasons for flight cancellations, particularly in areas prone to extreme weather. However, according to SimpleFlying, modern commercial aircraft are designed to withstand challenges greater than those posed by storms.
Typically, the storm’s influence extends from about 20,000 to 30,000 feet (6-9 km) above ground level. Airports will shut down, and airlines will cease operations, preventing take-offs and landings. However, above this altitude, aircraft can still operate.
When Do Aircraft Encounter Storms?
Generally, modern passenger transport aircraft are equipped with weather radar and pre-programmed flight paths to avoid natural phenomena like storms. The safe flying distance is usually 20 nautical miles (over 37 km) from the storm.
With modern radar systems, aircraft rarely encounter stormy conditions
These devices can provide warning signals several minutes before encountering a storm, allowing pilots to adjust their course to avoid danger.
Therefore, only when warning systems fail and pilots cannot regain control of the situation might an aircraft fly into a storm.
How Do Aircraft Handle Storms?
Accompanying storms are typically turbulent winds and lightning. However, from a scientific perspective, both are unlikely to bring down a commercial aircraft.
Aircraft – the “Iron Bird” that is almost invulnerable?
Specifically, aircraft are almost impervious to lightning strikes. Although the fuselage is made of electrically conductive aluminum, it is designed based on the Faraday cage principle.
As a result, the aircraft’s shell can withstand electrical currents of up to 250,000 amps, while typical lightning strikes are only around 32,000 amps.
Such scenes typically only appear in movies
Moreover, at fuel tank locations, modern aircraft are designed with thick protective layers that prevent lightning strikes. In theoretical terms, the likelihood of lightning in a storm bringing down an aircraft is very low.
The real danger of storms comes from swirling gusts of wind. In theory, these only cause continuous changes in altitude and acceleration of the aircraft due to convective air currents and cannot flip the aircraft over as many might imagine. If pilots maintain a steady speed and balance for long enough, the aircraft will escape the wrath of the storm.
However, when the gusts are too strong, they can cause the aircraft to oscillate up and down continuously. If this exceeds the aircraft’s permissible altitude limits, the systems will no longer operate stably (especially the altimeter), resulting in engine failure. The worst-case scenario would be a loss of control leading to an accident.
Additionally, for smaller aircraft, if the storm has humidity and temperatures below 0°C, they will face the risk of icing. This phenomenon is extremely dangerous as it alters the aircraft’s aerodynamic status. If ice builds up on the wings or fuselage, it increases the aircraft’s weight and reduces the lift generated by the wings, leading to further dangerous situations.
Is It Really Advisable to Fly in Rain or Storms?
All aircraft must meet technical specifications, including the ability to withstand rain and storms before being permitted to fly. In practice, today’s aircraft are designed to handle the most extreme conditions. However, there are exceptions, such as hail causing ice to form on the aircraft’s wings. In some cases, pilots may opt for an emergency landing to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.
