Weather Hazards in Aviation: Solar Flares

 Weather Hazards in Aviation: Solar Flares 

    Weather is one of the greatest concerns in general aviation. When we think of weather hazards in aviation the first things that may come to mind might be ice, thunderstorms, tornadoes, etc. Unbeknownst to a lot of people, solar flares may also impact aviation operations. I chose this hazard because it is not something that is often talked about. I think spreading awareness about this hazard is important in bettering the aviation industry. 

    As we know, the sun occasionally releases bursts of energy, known as solar flares. Solar flares release vast amounts of radiation into space. This radiation can often interfere with radio and satellite communications, power grids, or technology on Earth. This is a problem, because in recent months there has been increased solar activity. In the last decade there has been an increase in the frequency of solar bursts. There have also been several reports of solar flares affecting flight operations. Technological systems get interrupted, which also disrupts air travel. In severe cases when the flare is strong enough, it can trigger a magnetic storm around Earth’s atmosphere. 

Interferences caused by flares bring up challenges for pilots and air traffic controllers. Personnel in aviation heavily rely on precise systems for communication. When interruptions occur there can be delays, miscommunication, or loss of contact can occur when there is solar activity. Satellite navigation and GPS can also be affected as they transmit radio signals.  

Another thing to consider is radiation exposure for aircrew and passengers inside the aircraft. Solar flares release high energy particles that could be absorbed by people. People who fly frequently and pilots have higher exposure to radiation during solar storm events. This can result in greater risks of developing cancer. 

In order to try and mitigate the impact of solar flares on aviation certain improvements need to be made. Being able to forecast solar flare activity to warn airports could allow airlines to adjust flight routes or schedules depending on the situation. On top of that, designing aircraft and communication systems to be more resistant to electromagnetic interference is essential in decreasing disruptions. 

By addressing the challenges caused by solar storms, we can enhance the safety and efficiency of air travel. As the aviation industry becomes more reliant on technology, it is important to also develop strategies to mitigate against possible setbacks caused by the sun.

Resources

Aviation Weather. (n.d.). https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/afx/afs/afs400/afs430/media/aviation_weather.pdf 

Baes, F. (n.d.). Hps.org. Health Physics Society. https://hps.org/publicinformation/ate/faqs/solarflare.html#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20National%20Oceanographic,hours%20at%20commercial%20aircraft%20altitudes. 

Do solar flares threaten technology on earth? – DW – 02/20/2023. dw.com. (2023, February 25). https://www.dw.com/en/do-solar-flares-threaten-technology-on-earth/video-64663358#:~:text=If%20the%20flare%20is%20powerful,precise%20timing%20or%20accurate%20data. 

Dunbar, B. (2013, June 7). Solar storms and radiation exposure on commercial flights. NASA. https://www.nasa.gov/topics/aeronautics/features/airline-radiation.html 

Weather concerns for general aviation. Flight Safety Foundation. (2019, June 19). https://flightsafety.org/asw-article/weather-concerns-for-general-aviation/ 

Xu, X. H., Wang, Y., Wei, F. S., Feng, X. S., Bo, M. H., Tang, H. W., Wang, D. S., Bian, L., Wang, B. Y., Zhang, W. Y., Huang, Y. S., Li, Z., Guo, J. P., Zuo, P. B., Jiang, C. W., Xu, X. J., Zhou, Z. L., & Zou, P. (2023, April 13). Characteristics of flight delays during solar flares. Nature News. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-33306-9#:~:text=It%20is%20found%20that%20the,min)%20compared%20to%20quiet%20periods.