Weather Hazards

     A common flight hazard that many may overlook because of how often they are dealt with by pilots and other members in aviation, is thunderstorms. Thunderstorms can create some of the worst weather conditions to fly in and are extremely common during certain seasons, especially the summer months. Thunderstorm cells go through three stages called the lifecycle of a storm, cumulus, mature, and dissipating (FAA, 2008). A thunderstorms severity is determined by the second stage of maturing, although the cumulus stage is still key to the formation of a thunderstorm, not all clouds form into thunderstorms. As the storm is in the maturing stage, raindrops are formed by the water particles being held up by an updraft, until the updraft is no longer strong enough to keep up the raindrops and precipitation begins. Thunderstorms can create many other hazards for pilots in flight such as ice, hail, and extreme turbulence. All these being safety hazards caused by the thunderstorm. 

    There are ways for pilots to stay safe when flying near thunderstorms or if they have one in their designated path. It is advised to avoid the storm with every means possible unless going out its way causes other hazards, do not attempt flight underneath a thunderstorm as turbulence may cause damage to the aircraft, and if the aircraft inadvertently goes into the thunderstorm, maintain a straight heading and altitude to exit the storm as soon as possible (FAA, 2008). Overall, it is important to maintain a 5 mile distance from the storm if possible as a thunderstorm poses a great threat to aircraft. 

References

FAA. (2008). Thunderstorms- Don't Flirt... Skirt 'Em. Retrieved April 08, 2021, from https://www.faasafety.gov/files/gslac/library/documents/2011/Aug/56397/FAA%20P-8740-12%20Thunderstorms[hi-res]%20branded.pdf