L ook through the 3 characteristics of a rw and cross the odd out.
Characteristics of a RW:
1
The RW is |
slippery wet flooded sleepy damp covered with ... |
2
There is |
(freezing) slush standing water vehicle broken down a flock of birds lightning a disabled aircraft compacted snow drifting snow black ice |
on the RW |
NB! Black ice – is very dangerous because it’s invisible but RW is slippery.
3
There are |
water patches water pools snow patches sunlight patches icy patches/patches of ice ruts and ridges big birds people/workers |
on the RW |
Answer the following questions using your own experience:
D oes temperature influence flying?
How does low temperature affect flights?
How does high temperature affect flights?
What are the controller’s actions, if a pilot reports low fuel temperature?
Look at the table and check if you are right.
|
At flight level |
Landing / take off |
High temperature |
High temperature reduces lifting power and an aircraft can’t reach a very high FL. An aircraft speed reduces as well and an aircraft can get to the destination with delays.
|
It is dangerous because an aircraft needs more time to take off so the length of the RW is not enough and the aircraft might roll off the RW. Moreover lifting power reduces due to low air pressure so engines have to work harder and it might cause overheating. |
Low temperature |
Low temperature increases lifting power and an aircraft can reach a higher FL. Aircraft speed increases as well and an aircraft can get to the destination quicker. Very low temperature (– 60°) can cause low fuel temperature. It is quite dangerous for flight at FL and a controller has to give instructions to descent to a lower FL. |
It is good as lifting power is enough for an aircraft to take off/land quicker. Lifting power increases so an aircraft can take much load. NB! If temperature changes from 0° to -10° it might cause icing of an aircraft. So an aircraft needs de-icing. Low temperature (-30) can seriously reduce visibility. |
NB! Take off can be cancelled if temperature is more than +50°C or -50°C.
R ead the text and answer the following questions. You can use your own experience.
What might the reason for icing be?
A
t
what stages of flight can icing be dangerous for flight?What are possible consequences of icing?
What measures can be taken to prevent ice formation?
Can you describe any aviation event where icing was involved?
ICING Temperature can influence safe flying greatly. Changeable temperature (from 0° to -10°) might cause icing of an aircraft and the RW. Icing and icy conditions often lead to airline accidents. Icing of wings is a common problem for an aircraft. It might be very dangerous as even a small amount of ice or frost can greatly reduce lifting power and result in some problems |
d |
uring
take off. If ice builds up during flight the consequences can be
catastrophic, that is why aircraft are de-iced before take off.
Modern planes are designed to prevent ice buildup on wings,
engines and tail. What is more, pilots can have special ice
detectors in order to avoid icy areas.
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LIGHTNING STRIKE
A |
A lightning strike normally does not damage the airplane, although it may leave a burn mark. The lightning energy travels through the metal skin of the aircraft and sometimes into other areas of the aircraft. In a few cases the energy has damaged electronic and navigation equipment in the aircraft, but only a few aircraft have had major problems. In this case a pilot needs radar assistance, vectoring because he might be unsure of his position. Sometimes the communication might be lost either. |
ow
can a lightning strike affect an aircraft?
ircraft
are required to remain at least 20 miles from thunderstorms, to
protect them against hail and turbulence and also from lightning.
However, first two components of a thunderstorm cause more damage
to an aircraft than a lightning does. Lightning can have different
effects on an airplane, ranging from "no" effect, to
severe damages, and even extreme cases – an explosion of fuel
tanks.
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|
The
passengers and crew may see a lightning flash and hear a noise if
lightning strikes their plane, nothing serious can happen because
of the lightning protection built into the aircraft.
The skin of the aircraft can usually scatter the lightning energy
to prevent problems.
In
aviation there are several ways to identify the location of a
thunderstorm. One of them is the following: if there is a bang of
a thunder after a flash of lightning in 10 seconds or less it
means the thunderstorm activity is inside the aerodrome zone.