Flight safety during thunderstorms - how pilots avoid storms and protect passengers
The pilots talked about flying in stormy weather, so what is their algorithm of action.
Airplane
Airline passengersrarely face a real threat of thunderstorms: pilots avoid storms by using radar and coordinating with air traffic controllers, and aircraft are designed to withstand lightning strikes.
This was discussed by pilots and aviation experts Patrick Smith and Tom Bunny in an interview with Popular Science
Despite the dramatic scenes from the movie Plane (2023), where a plane gets caught in a severe thunderstorm and is struck by lightning, real-life accidents in such conditions are extremely rare. Pilot Patrick Smith noted that it is practically not common to deliberately fly in a thunderstorm.
"Thunderstorms bring strong turbulence and other dangers, so we try to avoid them," he explained.
How pilots track thunderstorms
Before each flight, the crews receive forecasts and satellite maps showing possible storm zones. During the flight, the main tools are the onboard radar and the Weather Avoidance System (WAS), which show the position, strength and direction of the storms.
"The radar sends out a signal that bounces off the clouds and comes back. The more moisture, the stronger the storm," explained former pilot Tom Bunny.
Additionally, pilots exchange information with each other by radio: if one encounters turbulence, he informs the others. This allows them to track thunderstorms for hundreds of kilometers and adjust the altitude or route to avoid dangerous areas.
Flying through storms
Sometimes planes fly through the gaps between thunderstorms, keeping a safe distance of 10-20 miles from the most intense clouds. Pilots try not to fly over the tops of thunderstorms, as they can reach 40-50 thousand feet and storms can develop quickly.
Even when flying near a thunderstorm, the most likely consequences are light wing damage from hail or temporary turbulence. Serious threats to passengers are rare.
Hazards during landing
The most risky conditions are thunderstorms during approach due to sudden gusts of wind (wind shear). Modern aircraft and airports are equipped with warning systems, and in the event of dangerous conditions, a flight can be temporarily kept in a circle or diverted to another airport.
The average commercial airplane is struck by lightning about twice a year. Modern designs are protected and electrical systems have backup power. "It's like a lightning strike in a car - a flash and a loud sound, but the passengers are safe," Bunny said.
Thus, thanks to technology, pilot training, and interaction with air traffic controllers, flights remain safe even in bad weather, and the real threat of thunderstorms and lightning to passengers is minimal.
Earlier, we wrote that a flight attendant told us what actually happens when lightning strikes an airplane