Pilot Proficiency

Everything Explained: Thunderstorm Avoidance, Penetration and Survival

Monday, June 05, 2017 at 10:49 PM ET

Verified

Thunderstorm visible from a cockpit [Getty Images]

Key Takeaways:

Prioritize visual avoidance of thunderstorms by maintaining VFR conditions (on top or below clouds), observing dark skies/lightning, and using ATC/PIREPs, as in-cockpit Nexrad is unreliable for tactical navigation.
In-cockpit Nexrad data is significantly delayed (15-20 minutes) and depicts past weather, making it suitable only for strategic route planning (20+ minutes) and dangerous for tactical avoidance of active weather.
In case of inadvertent thunderstorm penetration, immediately slow to maneuvering speed (Va), focus on keeping wings level, do not chase altitude or airspeed, and inform ATC of your emergency actions without awaiting permission.

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Thunderstorm Avoidance without Onboard Radar: