Can Planes Fly Over Hurricanes?

Can Planes Fly Over Hurricanes?

Have you ever thought that is it possible to fly a plane over hurricanes? Well, yes the planes can fly over hurricanes but only under the right conditions.  In this blog post, we are going to discuss about the fact can planes fly over hurricanes, and if yes then how?

Hurricanes are powerful storms that can disrupt the flow of air. Although hurricanes are likely to create a very dangerous situation at lower altitudes, some aircraft adjust to fly over them with complete safety. This is because the airlines and the pilots make use of highly advanced technology, sound and strategic flight planning along with a specialised aircraft, which ensures safe travel even at the time of hurricane season.

How High Do Planes Fly?

Many aeroplanes fly at a height between 30,000 to 40,000 feet. However, hurricanes on the other hand typically extend up to 50,000 feet when at their strongest phase. However, some hurricanes do not reach that height that would hamper the route of the aeroplane hence the plane can fly over hurricanes without even encountering any situation of turbulence. Moreover, at times when the hurricane is too tall, the pilots prefer re-routing the flights to avoid the storm completely.

How Do Airlines Handle Flights Near Hurricanes?

Almost all the airlines prioritize the safety of their passengers while travelling. Also, they focus more on making careful decisions when a situation like a hurricane is near. Moreover, they also focus more on monitoring the real-time, whether data, consulting the metrologist and also using advanced radar systems to determine the best course of action. Additionally, in many cases, there may be a delay or even cancellation of the flight. If in case the condition seems to be very risky. However, if the tendency of the hurricane’s cloud is quite low, then a plane can safely fly over it without any trouble to the passengers.

Do Airlines Need to Reroute Flights?

Many airlines are mainly focused on adjusting the route of their flights to avoid situations like hurricanes. But in some cases, the planes can easily fly over them. Moreover, most tropical storms are not even as tall as regular thunderstorms and the aircraft can easily pass through them. Additionally, the highest part of a hurricane is its centre, which is also known as the eye of the hurricane. However, it might seem possible for planes to fly over a hurricane and even into this eye. But still, the airlines normally avoid such situations as it still carries some risk. 

In case of any issue during the flight, that could be anything related to a technical problem or even a medical emergency being around, a hurricane could even make the situation more difficult for both the staff and even for the passenger. However, for this reason, the airlines mainly prefer to reroute their flights instead of taking the unnecessary risk of crossing the hurricane.

Can Military or Research Planes Fly Over Hurricanes?

The second questions that comes here is, can planes fly over hurricanes? Well, yes, the military and the research planes can easily fly over the hurricanes. But can also fly directly into them without any risk. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the US Air Force have specially designed the aircraft in such a way that they can easily cross such situations with ease. These planes have highly advanced structures with powerful radar systems and advanced technology for navigation. All these things allow them to face extreme situations that could be caused by hurricanes.

Why Do Commercial Planes Avoid Hurricanes?

As we discussed above, planes can easily fly over hurricanes. But commercial flights usually avoid them because of some safety-related concerns. However, here are some of the factors in support of this statement: 

• Severe Turbulence: Hurricanes create unstable air currents, making the ride extremely bumpy.
• Strong Winds: Winds in a hurricane can exceed 150 mph, making navigation difficult.
• Lightning and Icing: Thunderstorms inside hurricanes can damage aircraft systems.
• Low Visibility: Thick clouds and heavy rain make it harder for pilots to see and navigate.
• Passenger Comfort: Airlines prioritize smooth and comfortable flights, so they choose routes that bypass hurricanes.

How Do Pilots Navigate Around Hurricanes?

Pilots play a very important role in managing the entire situation of hurricanes while flying the plane. Here are some of the factors that talk about how pilots navigate around hurricanes.  The pilots mainly rely on several tools and techniques to ensure safe travel around hurricanes. Some of them are as follows:

• Weather Forecasting: Airlines mainly make use of real-time images of satellites for tracking the development of hurricanes. 
• Flight Rerouting: If in case any sort of hurricane is expected to occur in the route of the flight, the airlines adjust their route. Then they either fly around the hurricane or over it. 
• Onboard Radar Systems: Pilots use radar technology to detect storm activity and make real-time adjustments.
• Air Traffic Control Coordination: Air traffic controllers provide guidance to ensure that planes maintain a safe distance from hurricanes.

What About Private Jets?

Some private jets avoid situations of hurricanes, like commercial airliners. This is because most private aircraft somewhere lack the power and the capability to fly safely at a height that to over a hurricane. However, because of this the private jet operators, either delay the flights or adjust their routes to stay away from such situations. 

Can Planes Land During a Hurricane?

The aircraft rarely land during hurricanes because, then, the speed of the wind is very strong, and there is heavy rain which ultimately leads to low visibility. Hence, because of all these factors, it becomes very difficult and even dangerous to land. The airports located in the areas that are prone to hurricanes often shut down in advance to ensure complete safety. However, after the hurricane passes, the airports resume their operations and the flights also return to their normal schedules.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we have understood the concept of can planes fly over hurricanes. However, the planes can fly over hurricanes, but this can only be done under some specific conditions. Moreover, commercial flights are recommended to avoid the situation of hurricanes. But here also aircraft that are highly specialised and have a good radar system can choose to fly over or even into them for research-related purposes.

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