Environment and Aircraft Performance

 

Affects of Rain

There are many different types of environmental factors that can cause a hinderance to the performance of an aircraft. One of these environmental factors is water or rain. Water as a result from the rain, can affect things such as takeoff and landing. Take off and landing is the most important and vital to aircraft performance.

The most obvious affect water has on performance is the risk the aircraft has while it is taking off or landing. Water reduces friction between the aircrafts tires and the runway surface, which is needed to be able to slow down and come to a stop. Also, with enough amount of water on the runway there is the risk of the aircraft hydroplaning. Hydroplaning occurs when the water creates a space between the tires and the ground surface. This creates loss and or reduce the effectiveness of braking. 

There are many things that can be done to help minimize the possible risk of landing and taking off. Having proper water run offs on the runways or runway slope is an effective solution for reducing water on the runways. Tire pressure is another factor when it comes to hydroplaning. A pilot can calculate the minimum speed that hydroplaning can exist. This is determined by multiplying the square root of the main gear tire pressure in psi by nine. For example, if the main gear tire pressure is at 36 psi, the aircraft would begin hydroplaning at 54 knots (2016).

Landing at higher speeds poses a greater risk than lower speeds in regards to hydroplaning. The risk of hydroplaning is directly dependent on the speed of the aircraft. Although, once hydroplaning starts, it can continue through the initial minimum hydroplaning speed.  So being able to calculate the speed of possible hydroplaning can be crucial to the safety of the aircrew and passengers.

References

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). (2016). Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PHAK). Retrieved https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/phak/