The Power and Danger of Thunderstorms in Aviation
Thunderstorms are powerful, unpredictable weather systems that can turn a calm flight into a critical situation in minutes. According to the FAA Advisory Circular AC 00-24C, a thunderstorm needs three things: moisture, instability, and lifting mechanism.
The Life Cycle of a Thunderstorm
Thunderstorms evolve through three stages – cumulus, mature and dissipating stage. Each posing unique threats. During the mature stage, a pilot could expect updrafts, downdrafts, hail, lightning and microbursts. All hazards that can cause serious disorientation and aircraft structural damage, to say the least.
Why Pilots Should Never Fly Through a Storm
As a pilot, it is never wise to penetrate a storm. Avoid a thunderstorm by at least 20 miles laterally. If caught approaching a severe storm, consider other options such as landing immediately or turning back from where you came from. It’s not worth the risk!
Key Avoidance Strategies
Avoidance comes down to a few important items: don’t takeoff or land in the face of an approaching thunderstorm, don’t attempt to fly underneath a storm since turbulence and wind shear under the storm could pose serious hazards, and don’t assume that ATC will offer you radar navigation or deviations around thunderstorms.
Weather Planning Resources
Plan ahead and use weather planning products from your EFB or AviationWeather.gov. Weather products include but aren’t limited to METARs, TAFs, SIGMETs, AIRMETs, GFA, and Prognostic Charts.
Additional Resources
For more information, please refer to FAA AC 00-24C and Chapter 22 of the FAA Aviation Weather Handbook FAA-H-8083-28A.
