How can extreme weather affect my private jet flight?

Are you planning a flight by private jet and you don’t know what to expect from the weather?

In this article, you will find out how the sun, snow, and ice, fog, rain, or wind can affect your flight.

If you are wondering if the weather will affect your flight?

The answer is simple – YES. But, the impact of weather conditions on private flights is less than on commercial ones.

The main thing before each trip by jet is to always pay attention to what the weather will be like. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the first reason for the aircraft’s delay was the weather.

In addition to delays, some flights may be canceled due to weather irregularities.

However, it depends on whether you are flying a private or commercial plane.

So, take a look at how some weather irregularities can affect your flight:

• Sun – high air temperature is a problem for the jet
• Fog – the cause of flight delay
• Rain – negatively affects the flight only in combination with heavy wind
• Snow and ice – bad weather during takeoff
• Wind –  affects flight because it creates turbulence

1. Sun – high air temperature is a problem

Sunny weather is extremely suitable for airplanes, even at very high temperatures that are up to 52C, depending on the model.

During warm weather, aircrafts can operate safely. However, what affects their flight is high air temperature.

Unlike the colder one, the hot air is thinner and thus creates a problem for flight, on the plane’s engine as well. In that way, the power of the engine was reduced.

High air temperatures also affect aerodynamic capabilities. This reduces climb performance and maximum payload. On the other hand, the required runway distance increases.

When it is very hot, pilots can use a higher engine thrust setting.

Whether it is cold or warm outside,  the temperature in the private jet cabin is set the way passengers want.

2. Fog – the cause of flight delay

When there is fog, delays occur on both commercial and private aircraft. Poor visibility is not suitable for any jet.

During the flight,  fog can be avoided. Because many aircrafts have autopilots for automatic landing and can land the aircraft even at zero visibility. However, the problem of delays occurs on the ground during takeoff.

Visibility at the airport below 1.500 meters, pilots, and those from the airport call as – Runway visual range (RVR). Therefore, airports apply low visibility procedures (LVP).

To prevent traffic accidents and other inconveniences during low visibility, air traffic reduces the number of take-offs.

Fog is often variable, so it is present at some airports and not at others. During this extreme weather, it is better to travel by private jets.

It is true for them that during the fog the flight can be redirected, while it does not apply to commercial flights.

3. Rain – negatively affects the flight only in combination with heavy wind

Rain does not affect the flight much, because the jets are very well equipped for wet areas. Only if there is a strong wind with the rain, there can be problems – delays or changes of route.

During rain, visibility for the pilot is most important. Airflow helps to clean the windshield at high speeds. However, when it lands on the ground at a lower speed, a clearer view is important to the pilot.

Because of this, some private jets have windshield wipers. Some smaller aircraft have an air system that is able to blow rain from the windshield.

Some, on the other hand, do not have wipers but use hydrophobic upholstery for the windshield, and they repel water.

4. Snow – bad weather during takeoff

The design of all private jets is such that they are adapted to cold weather and snowfall when they are in the air. So they reach 30,000 feet and temperatures down to -80C or even -100C.

However, for private flights, snow and ice are a dangerous problem when they are on the ground when taking off.

Before taking off, the most important thing is to check the condition of the runway and taxiway. Also, the plane must be thawed before the flight.

Cold weather for clients who want to travel by private jet is an additional cost. During the defrosting of the aircraft, which is prescribed by law for safety reasons, the price of the charter flight also increases. Clients should always be reminded of this during cold weather.

Unlike commercial airplanes, extreme snow weather is more suitable for private ones, because they can use smaller airports. Snow removal on them is faster, they have a smaller taxiway area and fewer planes that need to be kept clean.

Also, many aircraft have their place in special hangars, so they do not need to be defrosted.

Another advantage of private jets is that when all planes are grounded due to very cold weather, they can function normally. And that happens right after the restriction. On the other hand, this does not apply to commercial ones that need a few days to return to normal.

5. Wind – affects flight because it creates turbulence

Although the airplanes are designed to withstand strong winds, it is still a cause of turbulence.

If you want to travel and ask yourself –  is turbulence worse on a private jet than in a commercial one?

The answer is –  NO.

The reason is that they fly higher than commercial ones where there are fewer air holes, so there is less turbulence. Also, these aircrafts can easily change their routes and avoid windy directions.

However, when it comes to some smaller private jets, due to the weight, a little stronger turbulence can occur. It is certainly inconvenient because in some cases passengers can be injured.

And what about the pilots?

Are pilots scared of turbulence?

According to newspaper articles and pilot interviews, they are not worried because they know the planes are well designed to bridge such things.

If you travel when it is windy, you may be lucky to get to a certain place faster or your happiness will be less limited, so your journey will be longer.

If the wind pulls the plane forward through the air, then it is a tailwind. This wind direction can increase the speed of the jet on the ground and reduce the travel time.

If the plane is flying in the opposite direction from the wind, we are talking about a headwind. In this way, the result is reversed. Then the speed of the plane on the ground decreases, and the travel time is extended.

Due to jet streams, such time differences are most pronounced in overseas flights.

Strong westerly winds blowing in a narrow belt in the upper parts of the Earth are jet streams. They blow at altitudes where the largest number of planes fly.

When a tube is made of fast air flow, then jet streams are created.

To reduce the speed of the ground, planes always move through the wind when taking off and landing.

If the wind moves over the runway, the airports impose restrictions. Such crosswinds, therefore, present a problem during take-off and landing.

Therefore, some airports solve this problem by having runways that are turned in different directions to cope with crosswinds. This helps pilots because they can use a runway that is facing the wind.

Conclusion

As you can see, extreme weather can affect your private jet flight differently.

You went through warm weather with a virtual trip, when your flight is disturbed by high air temperatures. Then, a flight is canceled due to fog or the route is changed by a private plane.

Also, you had the opportunity to fly in the rain, which is unsuitable only in combination with heavy wind. You have seen that snow is not a problem for private planes, because you can land at smaller airports. Eventually, you could feel less turbulence when traveling during the wind.

So, after this virtual trip, did you prepare for a real take-off during some of these weather conditions?