Using Spherics

Both spherics and NEXRAD have blind spots and neither is infallible. Spherics devices can have false negatives because they dont see those static discharges until they happen. While most cells with dangerous opposing currents also produce significant static, nature is inherently unpredictable and the static discharges can lag. Of course, the delays in getting NEXRAD images to the cockpit can lead to significant errors. Plus, radar only seeing precipitation, not turbulence, can cause difficulty interpreting the image.

Editorial Staff

Wednesday, June 08, 2016 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Thunderstorms and squall lines pose extreme danger to aircraft due to intense turbulence and can lead to loss of control, emphasizing the critical need for complete avoidance.
Spherics detection (e.g., Stormscope) is a superior indicator of dangerous turbulence within thunderstorms as it directly senses electrical discharges, unlike radar which only detects precipitation and can be misleading.
Effective weather avoidance requires integrating information from multiple technologies, including both radar and spherics, combined with pilot experience and strategic planning, to make the safest flight decisions.

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Almost 10 years ago, a well-experienced friend of mine flew a well-equipped Cessna 421 into a squall line. The airplane did not break up in the air; instead, he lost control and went straight in vertically. The impact crater was in the shape and size of the front of the airplane. The NTSB confirmed the whole plane was there by weighing the mostly unidentifiable bits that resulted.

Our takeaway is not to mess with squall lines. Oh, and squall lines contain thunderstorms. Avoid them, too. And, yup, thunderstorms contain lightning. Best to go around that as well.