Pilots Brace for Hurricane Ian

When stories about hurricanes damaging airports appear, one of the first questions asked is, "Why didn't the pilots move their aircraft?" The answer is often they did—but the storm changed direction. Such was the case in 2004 when Hurricane Charley bore down on Florida.

Meg Godlewski

Wednesday, September 28, 2022 at 05:38 PM ET

Verified

Hurricane Ian bearing down on Florida. [Courtesy: NOAA]

Key Takeaways:

Past hurricanes, like Charley, unexpectedly shifted course, causing severe damage to airports and highlighting the unpredictability of such events for pilots.
Lessons learned from these experiences emphasize comprehensive pre-storm preparations, including securing aircraft, clearing hangars of potential projectiles, and safeguarding vital documents.
Hurricanes significantly disrupt travel, leading to flight cancellations and a surge in alternative transportation costs, forcing individuals to adapt rapidly.

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When stories about hurricanes damaging airports appear, one of the first questions asked is, “Why didn’t the pilots move their aircraft?” The answer is often they did—but the storm changed direction. Such was the case in 2004 when Hurricane Charley bore down on Florida.

If you talk to a pilot in Florida who was around in 2004, don’t be surprised if they compare Hurricane Ian with Hurricane Charley. Charley was a Category 3 storm. Most pilots and airports started preparing for the hurricane days in advance.