Autumn Changes

Fall conjures memories of bright blue skies, cool mornings and generally good daytime flying. But in aviation, looks can be deceiving. New air masses are on the move, the jet stream begins to flex its muscle over much of the United States, fronts are marching southward, and theres likely a tropical storm in the Caribbean or the Gulf. How does this affect your flying and how can you avoid an unplanned turn of events?

Editorial Staff

Wednesday, November 05, 2014 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Fall flying presents unique and complex hazards including various types of fog (valley, advection, radiation), high winds (from strong lows, Santa Anas, low-level jets), and early-season icing due to shifting weather patterns and lower freezing levels.
Pilots must be aware of specific regional phenomena such as widespread IMC from hurricane remnants (even far inland), rapid storm development over the Great Lakes, and the potential for severe turbulence and wind shear.
Thorough flight planning, diligent monitoring of forecasts (TAFs, SIGMETs, AIRMETs), and preparing for unexpected changes are crucial for safely navigating the diverse meteorological challenges of the autumn season.

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Fall conjures memories of bright blue skies, cool mornings and generally good daytime flying. But in aviation, looks can be deceiving. New air masses are on the move, the jet stream begins to flex its muscle over much of the United States, fronts are marching southward, and there’s likely a tropical storm in the Caribbean or the Gulf. How does this affect your flying and how can you avoid an unplanned turn of events?

FAT Is for Fog