Not all pilots, but many, are fascinated by the science of meteorology, for obvious reasons. I think we spent at least a week on it in ground training at pilot training.
This is pretty cool!
Thunderstorms pose a very real risk to aviation and require the utmost respect from pilots
Thunderstorms typically have 3 stages:
The Developing Stage
The Mature Stage
The Dissipating Stage
Developing Stage: Warm, moist air rises rapidly. Strong updrafts form towering cumulus clouds. No rain yet but the energy is building and severe turbulence can be expected.
Mature Stage: The storm peaks. Heavy rain, lightning, hail, and updrafts and downdrafts mix - this is the most dangerous phase.
Dissipating Stage: Downdrafts dominate. Rain slows. But turbulence and wind shear can still linger for miles.
As a good rule of thumb, pilots aim to stay a minimum of 20 nautical miles upwind of a storm cell to avoid any potential surrounding turbulence.
Here’s why:
✅ Extreme turbulence - Strong up & down drafts can exceed structural limits.
✅ Hail & lightning - Can damage windows, radomes and engines.
✅ Radar blind spots - Storms can mask each other, and radar attenuation makes flying into the heart of one even riskier.
Have you ever experienced turbulence from a thunderstorm?
📸 by ig/airlinepilotperformance
How to safely takeoff after an engine failure ✈️
Engine failures are rare, however it’s important that all airline pilots are fully trained and competent to safely manage one, should one ever occur.
If the malfunction occurs before V1 (the highest speed at which the takeoff can be safely aborted, and the lowest speed at which the takeoff can continue with an engine failure) the takeoff is rejected.
However, if the failure occurs after V1, we’re now committed to continuing the takeoff and take the problem into the air.
In this scenario, the pilot has to promptly apply rudder in the direction of the good engine to counteract the yaw being produced due to the asymmetric thrust, and keep the aircraft on the centre of the runway.
At rotation speed (VR), the pilot will gently pull back on the control column to smoothly pitch the aircraft up to 12.5 degrees, whilst maintaining the required rudder input.
The pilot is now flying solely on instruments and rapidly scans pitch, airspeed, heading/track and altitude.
Below 400 feet, the pilots do nothing other than fly and monitor the aircraft. Once 400 feet is safely reached, the crew will then engage an appropriate roll mode, begin the fault diagnosis and accomplish the correct memory items, if appropriate.
This secures the damaged engine as the crew continue to climb the aircraft and begin the acceleration process.
Once the flaps have been retracted, the autopilot is engaged.
When safely above the Minimum Safe Altitude, the crew run more checklists, make plans and begin the process of diverting to the nearest suitable airport ✈️
📸 by ig/airlinepilotperformance
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