Overflying Hurricanes
#1
Gets Weekends Off
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Joined APC: Jan 2013
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Posts: 122
Overflying Hurricanes
What are some characteristics that can be expected when overflying tropical systems? I observed flights heading to south Florida a few days ago and tops in the bands were FL550 so I'm curious how to safely accomplish this having not flown geographically near a hurricane. Are you IMC the entire time? Is it bumpy the entire time? Bad time for a depress? Just surprised me to see flights filed over the top of the eye even.
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2011
Position: retired 767(dl)
Posts: 5,719
Bumpy in the tops, but sorta stratified lower, constant "fire-flies." A good bit of cloud to cloud lightning. Lower altitudes bumpy. I heard a Coastie one night, looking for a fishing boat, sounded like he was in a chopper. (C-130)
#3
Disinterested Third Party
Joined APC: Jun 2012
Posts: 5,926
Typically a number of thunder cells rising out of the weather below are the primary hazard, as can be a place to go if a descent is required. Expect warmer temperatures aloft with a potential lower optimum altitude and reduced efficiency.
#4
I flew over Hurricane Sandy enroute to the NBAA that year. Smooth as glass on top of cirrus at F450, passenger in the back was taking a shower (yes, we had one in a Global). JAX asked us to descent to F410 for traffic--got pretty bumpy then.
GF
GF
#5
Gets Weekends Off
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Joined APC: Jan 2013
Position: Content
Posts: 122
Curious if someone could chime in on flying the WATRS region this week, especially if you were in the low-mid 30s to/from Caribbean. Nothing specific I am asking, just what it was like and what your routing may have been like, further toward BDA?
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