HOT BUT HANDLED
BUSHFIRES, SMOKE AND TURBULENCE I
n recent months, serious or fatal accidents have occurred to a number of pilots operating not only RAAus aircraft but a range of light aircraft. A common factor in many of these accidents appears to involve pilots struggling to control their aircraft due to un-forecast or more challenging conditions than expected. At this time of year, during spring, throughout summer and even into autumn, a range of weather issues are relevant. These include increased thermal activity, strong winds resulting in turbulence on the lee side of mountains, fire activity resulting in significant smoke and dust storms due to the drought. These issues create significant visibility challenges. We wrote about many of the weather issues in a recent member eNews “Spring Fever�. So why are we revisiting this now? Because these weather related decision making challenges are not going to go away and in fact will probably become even more challenging during the next few months. It also appears pilots will be dealing with significant smoke from the tragic bush fires
in many states in Australia. Residual smoke haze and smog will be hanging around and will significantly reduce visibility in the circuit and away from airports, potentially increasing the risk of near misses, collisions and loss of Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC). Pilots also must carefully plan when operating near bushfires as extensive use of drones, water dropping aircraft flying at low level and fire spotting assessment aircraft in poor visibility and turbulent conditions increase the challenges. There are ongoing Notice to Airmen (NOTAMs) advising pilots of the increased activity levels in the vicinity of any fire. These NOTAMs are buried deep in the area briefing for both Melbourne and Brisbane Flight Information Regions (FIR). Careful flight planning to avoid these areas is another additional consideration to factor in before flying in the next few months. NOTAMs confirm there will be intense activity (aircraft, drones, unusual low level flights, etc.) within 5 nm and up to 3000 FT Above Ground Level (AGL) of an observed fire. As there is generally lots of smoke in these areas, the
Photo courtesy of Tim Howes. Please note that this flight was conducted with the express permission of the NSW RFS. Do not attempt to fly in the vicinity of an active fire ground.
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