Aviation Maintenance in a Time of Wildfires

Aircraft jet engines are particularly susceptible to damage when flying through adverse conditions such as forest fire smoke.

Richard Scarbrough

Tuesday, June 27, 2023 at 01:51 PM ET

Verified

Wildfire smoke causes more flight delays than rain or fog, according to the FAA. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

Wildfire smoke creates significant aviation hazards, causing more flight delays than rain or fog due to reduced visibility, turbulence, and impaired effectiveness of advanced navigation systems.
Smoke and ash particles directly damage aircraft components by clogging filters, interfering with pitot-static systems, and causing premature erosion and buildup on jet engine parts, leading to decreased performance and potential engine failure.
To minimize impact, increased maintenance like daily compressor washes are recommended, and pilots must adhere to temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) around wildfires to ensure safety and avoid interfering with aerial firefighting efforts.

See a mistake? Contact us.

In March, wildfires erupted in Canada, creating an early kickoff to what some experts maintain could become an unprecedented, active, and historic fire season. As of early June, nearly 11 million acres have been scorched, according to reports. Thick smoke covered much of the northern U.S., hampering visibility.

It’s a scenario that will likely only become worse, heading into the fire season peak months of July and August. Flying through wildfire smoke leads to two immediate hazards: turbulence and reduced visibility. Wildfires can also have an effect on an aircraft’s engine.