How Pilots Can Deal With the Dreaded Summertime Heat

With warmer months around the corner, it's important to know that heat management isn’t just about comfort.

Michael Wildes

Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at 08:27 AM ET

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Before you go up in the air on a hot day, there are some things you should consider. [FIle Photo: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

Thermal stress, primarily caused by summer heat, significantly degrades pilot performance by inducing fatigue and leading to errors such as delayed reaction times, increased error rates, and poor emergency responses.
Pilots must proactively plan for extreme heat by scheduling flights during cooler times, considering diversion airports, and managing workload to mitigate its effects.
Key personal precautions include prioritizing hydration, wearing breathable clothing, and being aware of the aircraft's ventilation and sun exposure to reduce the risk of thermal stress.

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My least favorite time of year to fly has been the summer. Why? Heat.

Like a nagging nemesis, summertime heat has been the source of many unwanted events in the summer. It affects both airplane and pilot performances. Most pilots are acutely aware of how the heat will degrade performance and create adverse weather, but how it affects human physiology doesn’t get the same attention.