Why Do Aeroplanes Fly in Fog?

Aeroplanes can and do fly in fog but there are specific challenges and precautions involved. Here’s a detailed explanation:

Challenges of Flying in Fog

Reduced Visibility

The most significant challenge is reduced visibility. Fog significantly obfuscates the pilot's view, making it difficult to see the runway and other aircraft. This complicates tasks such as takeoff, landing, and taxiing.

Instrument Flight Rules (IFR)

In conditions of low visibility where pilot’s reliance on visual cues is diminished, pilots must rely on instruments. The aircraft must be equipped for IFR operations, which are typically performed by most commercial planes. This ensures that the pilots have the tools and procedures necessary to handle the low visibility conditions.

Airport Operations

Airports have specific minimum visibility requirements for takeoffs and landings. If visibility drops below these thresholds, airport operations may experience delays or be canceled.

Safety Concerns

The risk of accidents increases in low visibility conditions. Therefore, airlines and pilots prioritize safety and may choose to delay or avoid flying in dense fog when necessary.

Mitigation Measures

Advanced Technology

Modern aircraft are equipped with advanced navigation and landing systems like Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) that allow them to operate safely in low visibility. These systems can provide continuous guidance and vital information around the aircraft’s position, altitude, speed, and direction.

Air Traffic Control (ATC)

ATC plays a critical role in managing traffic and ensuring safe distances between aircraft during foggy conditions. They use radar and other monitoring tools to keep track of the aircraft’s positions and ensure safe and efficient operations.

Training

Pilots undergo extensive training to handle low visibility situations. This includes practicing the use of instruments, decision-making protocols, and handling critical situations.

Impact on Ground Operations

Fog can significantly affect ground operations as well. Specifically, the taxiing process, takeoff, and landing can become more challenging and time-consuming under these conditions.

Taxiing

Taxiing is the process of moving the plane on the ground from the gate to the runway, and vice versa. In foggy conditions, pilots may have difficulty seeing the runway lights, markings, and signs, which guide them to the correct path. ATC may also struggle to see the planes on the ground and direct them safely. To avoid collisions or wrong turns, pilots must reduce their taxiing speed, follow maps and ATC instructions, and stop the plane if they are unsure of their position. This can cause significant delays and congestion on the ground.

Takeoff

Takeoff is the phase of flight where the plane accelerates on the runway and lifts off. Pilots must meet certain minimum visibility requirements to take off, which can depend on the type of plane, the airport, and the airline. These requirements are measured by sensors at different points on the runway, including touchdown, the midpoint, and the stop-end. If the visibility is below the minimum, the plane cannot take off and has to wait until the fog clears or move to another runway. This can also cause delays and disruptions.

Landing

Landing is the phase of flight where the plane descends from the air and touches down on the runway. In foggy conditions, pilots have to rely on special instruments like the Instrument Landing System (ILS) or the Global Positioning System (GPS) to guide them to the runway. These systems provide information about the plane’s position, altitude, speed, and direction, helping pilots align the plane with the runway and adjust the descent rate. However, even with these systems, pilots still have to meet certain minimum visibility requirements to land. If the visibility is too low, the pilots may have to...

Conclusion: While fog does pose significant challenges to aviation, it does not completely prevent aircraft from flying. With the right technology, procedures, and training, flights can safely operate in foggy conditions, although they may be subject to delays or cancellations depending on visibility levels.