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

Verified

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

Key Takeaways:

Summertime heat causes significant thermal stress for pilots, impacting their performance, increasing fatigue, and leading to errors like delayed reaction time and decreased attention, especially when onboard cooling systems are insufficient.
Thermal stress affects individuals differently, requiring pilots to exercise good judgment, monitor themselves and others, and be prepared to terminate flights if performance is degraded.
To mitigate heat's effects, pilots should plan flights with diversion airports, wear breathable clothing, manage workload, consider aircraft design, fly during cooler hours, and prioritize consistent hydration by avoiding dehydrating beverages.

See a mistake? Contact us.

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.