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. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

Summer heat creates "thermal stress" for pilots, significantly impairing performance through fatigue, delayed reaction times, and increased errors, often going unrecognized by individuals.
Pilots must be aware that onboard cooling systems are often insufficient and that heat affects individuals differently, necessitating careful monitoring of oneself and passengers, and readiness to terminate flights.
Mitigation strategies include diligent pre-flight planning, such as maintaining hydration, wearing breathable clothing, acclimatizing to heat, managing workload, considering aircraft design, and flying during cooler times of the day.

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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.