As the summer is pretty much upon us now, it is a good time to discuss a certain form of turbulence that will be common over the next few months. Often you will experience turbulence just after take-off and/or before landing despite it being a clear sunny day, with no clouds. So, why? What causes [...]
How Does Hot Weather Cause Turbulence?
Filed Under: Turbulence, Weather Tagged With: Altitudes, Belief That, Clouds, Earth, Good Time, Hot Weather, Leads, Moderate Level, Popular Belief, Severity, Sun, Sunny Day, Turbulence, Weather Cause
Volcanic Ash Cloud in UK Airspace: Why Are Flights Being Cancelled?
Why is it suddenly safe to fly through volcanic ash? Click here to read more. UK and European flights have been disrupted today due to a volcanic eruption in Iceland yesterday. This is yet another example of the high level of safety in aviation which should be reassuring to those with a fear of flying. [...]
Filed Under: Closure of UK Airspace, Weather Tagged With: Advisory Centres, Air Traffic Control, Aircraft Engines, Ash Clouds, Aviation Authorities, British Airways, British Airways Flight, Cloud Movement, Delays And Cancellations, Europe Today, European Flights, Fly Ash, Jams, Jet aircraft, Meterologists, Uk Airports, Uk Airspace, Uk Europe, Volcanic Ash Cloud, Volcanic Eruption In Iceland, Volcano Eruptions, Water Systems, Wikipedia
Flying in Strong Winds
As the UK is currently experiencing the worst storm of the year so far, with winds gusting at 75-90mph I felt it necessary to add a quick (and unplanned) article on the subject of flying in strong winds. As with any bad weather there are strict procedures, and regulations that must be adhered to to [...]
Filed Under: Weather Tagged With: Aircraft Type, Airlines, Airports, Aviation Authorities, Aviation Industry, Bad Weather, Case Principle, Cross Winds, Example Purposes, Flights, Strict Procedures, Strong Wind, Strong Winds, Test Pilots, Wind Speed
Video: Autoland in Fog
Earlier this year I wrote an article on the Fear of Flying in Fog, and more specifically, how an aircraft can land itself using the latest technology. Of course the pilots are still monitoring all systems, and the aircraft must be rated to complete such a landing. Also, all autopilot systems must be in working [...]
Filed Under: Weather Tagged With: Airbus Aircraft, Array, Autoland, Autopilot Systems, Cockpit, Exact Centre, Fear, Final approach, Fly, Fog, Latest Technology, Magic, Own Eyes, Pilot
Fear of Flying in Bad Weather: Rain
There are two reasons why I have written this article. Firstly, a reader who completed the fear of flying survey suggested it and secondly, a passenger boarder my aircraft a few weeks ago in torrential rain, and said to me; Have you ever flown in rain like this before? Is it safe? Never before had [...]
Filed Under: Weather Tagged With: Air Traffic Control, Airline Passengers, Bad Weather, Boarder, Fear, Fear of Flying, Final approach, Impending Doom, Improvements, Pilot, Poor Weather Conditions, Pun, Rain Clouds, Rain Snow, Runways, Safety Standards, Surface Water, Survey, Thrust, Traffic Information
UK Passengers Face Further Delays and Cancellations
Passengers in the UK face yet another day of chaos at the airports as further heavy snow is predicted in the South West, Midlands, and parts of the South East. Heavy snow storms have already been reported throughout the South West, with Exeter particularly suffering problems. The snow looks to be spreading East up the [...]
Filed Under: Breaking News, Weather Tagged With: Airports, Anxiety, Cancelled Flights, Delays, Exeter, Fear of Flying, London Stansted Airport, Luton Airport, Snow, stress, Weather
Dealing With Turbulence Anxiety
When there is anxiety about the uncertain outcome of some event, we naturally seek some means of control, so that the matter works out to our benefit. When seeking control as the means of securing a good result, anything that seems to defy control can feel threatening. That seems to be a factor in fear [...]
Filed Under: Breaking News, Dealing With Your Fear of Flying, General, Hypnosis, Overcoming Your Fear of Flying, Turbulence, Weather Tagged With: Fear of Flying, panic, Turbulence
Fear of Flying in Bad Weather: Snow and Ice
Snow and ice can cause havoc for an airline, and we all have our part to play in ensuring the safety of our passengers in these weather conditions. With regards to snow, most airports are well prepared, and manage the situation efficiently whilst minimising delays. There are always a few airports that are not ready [...]
Filed Under: Weather Tagged With: Air Florida Flight 90, Aircraft, Airline, Aviation, Bad Weather, Deicing, Fear of Flying
Fear of Flying in Bad Weather: Wind
Seems like a good time to write this as I’m sat in my house listening to gale force winds hammer the windows outside! Makes me want to go flying! Strong winds can cause some ‘exciting’ take-offs and landings. At lower levels, wind can cause the aircraft to sway back and forth, but the pilots are [...]
Filed Under: Weather Tagged With: Aircraft, Airport, Aviation, Bad Weather, Commercial aviation, Crosswind, Fear of Flying, Holding, Runway, Turbulence, Wind
Fear of Flying in Bad Weather: Fog
Driving in thick fog can be extremely hazardous, and of course you must slow down to ensure you remain safe. But, how does fog affect flying. Surely it’s impossible to land an aircraft at 150mph in thick fog? Not at all. Firstly, every aircraft has it’s own visibility
Filed Under: Weather Tagged With: Aircraft, Autopilot, Aviation, Bad Weather, Fear of Flying, Fog, Instrument landing system, Landing, Thrust reversal
Fear of Flying in Bad Weather: Lightning
Welcome to the first of this series of articles discussing a fear of flying in bad weather. First up, thunderstorms – and more specifically, lightning. For my thoughts on the incident involving Flight AF447, go here. Before I discuss aircraft flying in lightening storms, I want you to watch this 30 second video from YouTube. [...]
Filed Under: Weather Tagged With: Aircraft, Aircraft Radar, Airlines, Aviation, Bad Weather, Bright Flash, Colleagues, Electricity, Evasive Action, Fear of Flying, Final approach, Force Of Nature, Ground Radar, Landing, Lightning, Lightning Storms, Lightning Strikes, Mid Air, Planes, Static Discharge, Thunder Clouds, Thunderstorm, Video Proof, Violent Force, Wicks, Wings, YouTube
