How Extreme Heat Can Disrupt Flight Landing and Take Off

Source: Interesting Engineering

Heat can disrupt flight landing and takeoff in several ways, primarily affecting aircraft performance and air density. Here's how:

As air temperature increases, air density decreases. This means that there are fewer air molecules available to generate lift under the aircraft's wings during takeoff. With reduced lift, airplanes require higher speeds to achieve the necessary lift for takeoff.

Jet engines, especially those used in commercial planes, rely on a steady flow of air to operate efficiently. In hot weather, the air becomes less dense, reducing the engine's thrust output. This can affect the aircraft's acceleration during takeoff and its ability to climb to altitude quickly.

Hot air is less dense than cold air, which affects aerodynamic performance. Thinner air results in reduced aerodynamic control effectiveness, making it more challenging for pilots to manoeuvre the aircraft during takeoff and landing.

Due to reduced lift and engine performance, aircraft may need to achieve higher speeds during takeoff in hot weather. This requires longer runways and more distance to accelerate to takeoff, potentially limiting the available runway length for operations.

To mitigate the effects of heat on flight operations, pilots and airlines take various precautions. These may include adjusting takeoff weights, using longer runways when available, and carefully monitoring aircraft performance during critical phases of flight.