Navigating Cold Weather Operations: Can Planes Fly in the Snow? 

As winter weather sets in, ushering in colder temperatures and presenting unique challenges for aircraft operations, the question arises: Can small aircraft navigate these conditions with the same ease as their jet counterparts? In this article, we’ll not only address the concerns related to snowfall but also provide valuable insights into ensuring the safety and efficiency of aircraft, particularly smaller ones, in the cold winter months.

Flying in cold weather isn’t just possible, but it can also be beautiful and provide a whole new view and perspective when you’re up 30,000 feet above sea level.

We should note that cold weather and snow do not impact a plane’s ability to fly. In fact, when you’re 30,000 feet above sea level, temperatures can be as low as -70 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer. Planes are simply designed to fly in these cool temperatures.

The biggest threat with flying in snow comes with reduced visibility and accumulation on runways, which can be a major factor during take-off and landings, and during ascent and descent when aircraft travel below the clouds. Once a plane reaches its cruising altitude, it’s typically well above any snow that’s falling. However, while larger jets handle snow well, we understand that small aircraft face unique challenges in cold weather conditions.

While heavy snowfall can reduce visibility, another issue with flying in winter weather tends to be the impact it has on the airport and on the plane when it’s on the ground. Freezing working conditions, improper aircraft storage during the winter months, strong winds, and poor visibility can all take their toll on an aircraft’s ability to fly during winter.

Aircraft storage is imperative during the winter season. In cold and snowy weather, it’s often not snowfall that will delay a flight, but the effect that cold temperatures can have in preparing an aircraft for takeoff. Hence the importance of proper aircraft storage, especially the night before a planned flight.

So what’s the best way to store an aircraft during the winter season? Ideally, the aircraft is stored in a climate-controlled hangar, where it can be protected from the elements. If it’s not possible to store it in a covered hangar, then try to cover it with something to protect it from the elements.

Winter weather and cold temperatures can impact a plane in a few notable ways. These include:

Properly protecting an aircraft from the elements when it’s not in the air can help minimize the risk of the aforementioned issues. Some other measures to take during the winter to ensure your plane is able to fly when you need it may include:

Even if you take the proper measures to protect your plane when it’s not in the air, there’s still likely to be some preparations before you take off. One of the most common pre-flight processes before take-off includes having the plane de-iced. This essentially consists of ensuring that any ice is removed from the wings of the aircraft.

De-icing is important for a few reasons. Keep in mind that an aircraft – specifically its wings – is designed to be aerodynamic and to balance weight, thrust, and drag as it travels through the sky. If this balance is offset, even if it’s the smallest little bit of ice formation on the wings, then performance is going to be impacted. The wings may be less aerodynamic, which can result in handling issues, poor fuel efficiency, slower takeoff speeds, and more.

The deicing process can take some time to carry out, but it’s imperative for a safe, efficient flight. Depending on the size of your aircraft and the rate of accumulation, the process may take more than an hour. Some smaller airplanes also don’t have the proper de-icing equipment integrated into the craft to make deicing possible, which can limit their ability to fly in winter.

Beyond preparing the aircraft to take flight, it’s also important to prepare the airport runways for take-off and landing. A steady snowfall can make this a challenge for crews to keep the runways clear.

Think of runways as you would any street or highway when it snows. Accumulation can build up and make travel challenging until they are cleared. Airports tend to have robust snow management strategies during the winter months that consist of regularly clearing runways and putting down de-icer, but it can still be a challenge to keep these paths clear depending on the weather forecast.

If runways aren’t clear or ice has accumulated on them, it can lead to a lack of traction for an aircraft. This may result in slipping and sliding and make it dangerous to take off and land. Aircraft wheels are similar to any vehicle’s wheels in that they require traction with the pavement to safely maneuver.

Flying in the snow is indeed possible, but when temperatures drop, it’s crucial to adopt the right precautions for storing and preparing your aircraft. To learn more about navigating winter weather conditions, ensuring proper storage , and taking the necessary steps for safe flights in colder temperatures, reach out to J.A. Air Center today. We’re here to provide expert guidance for a seamless and secure winter flying experience.