EAA Sport Aviation

and vertical development. The mature stage is characterized by the formation of rain and both updrafts and downdrafts. During this time, severe turbulence, lightning, and hail are typically present. In the dissipating stage, the storm is dominated by downdrafts.

The dangers of thunderstorms are many. Updrafts and downdrafts within a thunderstorm can exceed 6,000 feet per minute. The resulting turbulence found in and near thunderstorms can literally rip an aircraft apart. Lightning present in and near thunderstorms can cause severe damage, as can the hail, which is typically present at higher altitudes, even if it does not reach the ground.

Thunderstorms come in a broad variety of types. Perhaps the most common type is the air mass thunderstorm, which is not associated with fronts. These are generally smaller storms, and they consist of isolated cells that last only an hour or so. These storms derive their lifting force from uneven heating of the surface and are difficult to predict with any accuracy.

Thunderstorms often develop in advance of cold fronts, which drive under the warm, moist air like a wedge to create the lifting force. Such thunderstorms can form in extensive lines that stretch more than a thousand miles, making them all but impassable.

A STRATEGY OF AVOIDANCE

The first rule is to always get a thorough preflight weather briefing, and ask specifically about the potential for convective activity along the route of flight. Early morning is usually the best time to fly to avoid the potential for air mass thunderstorm activity, so it’s best to plan our long-distance summer travel early in the day.

Regardless of the preflight weather briefing, remember that conditions can change quickly, so keep aware. In hazy conditions, thunderstorms can be difficult or impossible to see. If possible, climb above a haze layer to get a clearer view and then watch for the telltale vertical development. Since we can’t

”Better than some panel-mounted gear“

–Aviation Consumer

“It’s a solid bargain”

– Aviation Consumer
“It won’t happen to me” is an attitude you simply
can’t afford. If your instrument panel goes dark,
you need to know that you can safely get your
airplane on the ground and call for help. Now, for
roughly the price of a tank of gas, you can enjoy
the peace of mind of a versatile hand-held
NAV/COM with full ILS capability.