Flying in Fog

Fog tends to make travelling difficult. Whether its driving, sailing or flying, low visibility from fog makes it harder to see hazards. In the case for flying, even the most experienced pilots can have difficulties navigating a plane through fog. The most difficult part of controlling a plane in fog is not flying itself, but taxiing on the runway.

It is important to stay up to date on the weather and if fog will be an issue for your travel plans. Each year 440 people are killed due to weather-related aviation accidents, so consider changing your travel plans if a forecast of fog makes you nervous. 

Pilots should absolutely be keeping tabs on current conditions as visibility and ceiling height, or the height between the Earth’s surface and the lowest layer of clouds, are key factors when controlling a plane. 

Flying through fog also depends on the capability of the pilot, capability of the aircraft and the capability of the airport. The Federal Aviation Administration has guidelines and rules for different flight categories. Instrument Flight Rules are for ceilings below 1,000 feet and visibility less than 3 miles. Marginal Visual Flight Rules are for ceilings between 1,000-3,000 feet and visibility between 3 and 5 miles. Visual Flight Rules are for ceilings greater than 3,000 feet and visibility greater than 5 miles. 

If flying is absolutely necessary, pilots should know the length and orientation of the runway from both the departure and arrival airports. This knowledge will help you better handle taxiing, taking off and landing if visibility is less than stellar. 

Freezing fog is also a concern. A thin layer of ice could form on the plane due to temperatures below freezing as well as the presence of fog. 

Having knowledge of the weather, FAA guidelines and layouts of runways will be helpful when flying through fog. Be sure to also always file a flight plan no matter the weather conditions.

Source: NWS
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