Table of Contents
Advertisement
STRIKE FINDER
Course Selection
Over, under, around or through? You need to understand when and how
a particular weather condition could become hazardous, and plan alternate
action. Study a weather map and plan a route that offers a good avoidance
path.
A thunderstorm is a weather phenomenon that creates serious hazards to
aircraft. The NTSB findings, as reported by the AOPA Air Safety Foundation
study (General Aviation Weather Accidents), reports that thunderstorm
weather-related accidents are 66% fatal. In the case of light airplane
pilots, the best advise on how to fly through a thunderstorm is
simple—DON'T.
Flying Over
High altitude encounters with storms present unique hazards. First, the
possibility of ice, compounded by the marginal performance, at altitude, of
both the aircraft and some de-ice equipment. Second, the loss of navigation
and communication capability to heavy P-static. Third, the likelihood of
lightning strikes in the ice crystal overhang area of most storms. Some
storms are so tall that all aircraft must circumnavigate them.
Flying Under
Flying under storms is tempting at times. Even severe storms can lure the
unsuspecting pilot with a seemingly bright clear path underneath. LOOK
OUT! What looks harmless is actually the inflow path of the storm. It can
ingest an aircraft of any size. Even with gear and flaps down and engine
power at idle the VSI will peg and the altimeter needle will exceed prop RPM.
A 180-degree turn may be the only escape. Flying under weather is
advisable only in conditions of mild stratiform rain.
Flying Around
Flying around storms is the safest and most common practice. Providing
adequate margins are available, and used, it is a safe procedure. Avoid
situations in mountainous terrain where the minimum safe altitude exceeds
the performance of your aircraft. Include extra fuel when flight planning a
trip where deviations are likely.
Display Interpretation
Think of your Strike Finder as a 360˚ weather window, with a viewing
distance of up to 200 nm from your aircraft. Lightning activity is illuminated
on the Display as bright orange dots.
16
DIGITAL WEATHER AVOIDANCE
PILOT'S
GUIDE
Advertisement
Table of Contents
