Flight safety: AUTUMN WEATHER: The risks of autumn flying

Frost, mist, falling temperatures, rising humidity, shorter days: autumn is here with its characteristic train of weather changes.

For us microlight pilots, this late season with its fine weather invites us to enjoy the pleasure of flying.

We must nevertheless take care to refresh our knowledge specific to this season, taking the time for the necessary reflection.

The range of vulnerabilities is growing, and we must take them into account so as to approach flight fully aware of the various threats we may be exposed to.

So, when thinking about autumn flying, our microlight pilot software needs to be updated and should immediately alert us to:

- The persistent presence of morning mist in places, particularly in wet areas, meaning we should avoid navigating where there is a high risk of losing sight of the ground over large expanses.

- The rapid formation of fog in the late afternoon, which can jeopardise the return to the airfield with serious consequences for the flight. The right reflex is to check the weather forecasts and pay particular attention to the trend in temperature and dew point. If in doubt, the right attitude is to postpone the flight.

- Carburettor icing, which can occur in all phases of flight, and particularly when taxiing, in the cruise and in the descent. Here again, it is good to update your knowledge so as to recognise the symptoms of a carburettor starting to ice up, to remember that the risk is high between -5°C and +15°C in visible moisture, and that the life-saving actions are to push the throttle fully forward and descend, if terrain allows, to find higher temperatures.

- Cold, which can grip us in flight and impair our abilities. So remember to protect yourself by wearing warm clothing from head to toe.

- The days getting shorter each day and the clock change that goes with it.

And finally, let us not forget that our faithful steed also dislikes the change of seasons, and that a good battery check is a must, so that our next engine starts do not turn into an unscheduled maintenance session that is high-risk for people and equipment alike.

Autumn is here, and it is time to update our flight software!!

Let us take the time to do it so that we can enjoy our next flight safely.

And in all cases, contact your instructor with any questions or queries.

Safety is everyone’s business

Safe flying!

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