Operating Aircraft in Fog

 



In my opinion, the weather hazard that poses the greatest risk to aviation operations is fog. For pilots that are not as skilled, fog poses extreme danger and is a potentially deadly hazard. In fact, every year, approximately 440 individuals are killed due to weather-related aviation accidents including the conditions of fog. (National Weather Service, n.d.). Fog occurs when water vapor, or water in its gaseous form, condenses. During this state of condensation, molecules of water vapor combine to make tiny liquid droplets, which produce the fog that make it hard to see (National Geographic Society, 2012).

The ability to maneuver in fog depends on the following three factors—the capability of the pilot, the capability of the aircraft, and the capability of the airport (National Weather Service, n.d.). This is why I believe fog is one of the most hazardous weather conditions. Some pilots may believe they are comfortable flying in these conditions when in actuality, it is too difficult. There is room for subjectiveness when determining the capability of the pilots. As pilots, it is crucial to know the layout of the airport you are departing from or arriving to, including the length and layout of the runway, as well as the entire flying area. This is especially true in low visibility situations (National Weather Service, n.d). To safely operate in foggy weather, it is essential to follow the specific FAA mandated guidelines and flight rules for the specific flight category on visibility and ceiling height. In order to safely escape fog if caught in such conditions, a pilot must have knowledge of their flight instrumentation and have access to proper instrumentation (National Weather Service, n.d.).  

Word Count: 278

 

References

National Geographic Society. (2012, October 9). fog. https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/fog/#:%7E:text=Fog%20shows%20up%20when%20water,%2C%20a%20gas%2C%20is%20invisible.

National Weather Service. (n.d.). Flying in Fog. https://www.weather.gov/safety/fog-flying

 

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