Hokulea
18th May 2024, 16:20
All,
I'm not a pilot and hope you forgive me for posting here, but of all places, there was an interesting discussion in Jet Blast (https://www.pprune.org/jet-blast/659155-g4-solar-geomagnetic-storm-4.html) about flight ops during a predicted solar storm. My question there was:
"These are questions for commercial pilots who fly polar routes. Do you change your routes if a solar storm is predicted? If so, why? Is it concen about damage to the aircraft or damage to ground or space-based navigational infrastructure? I'm well aware that satellites are often maneuvered or temporarily shut down when a major solar storm is forecast, but I've not heard that airlines do the same thing. If this belongs in another forum, please let me know. I think it's an interesting topic."
My background is in physics and astronomy, so I understand the potential threats of coronal mass ejections (CMEs). When a CME is detected, at-risk satellites are re-orientated or temporarily shut down to protect the electronics. Do airlines adjust polar routes when a storm is predicted or do you just carry on as normal?
I'm not asking as a journalist or anything like that; you can see what I post in Jet Blast if you need verification and if you PM me it will remain confidential. My interest in this is as a scientist, nothing more.
I'm not a pilot and hope you forgive me for posting here, but of all places, there was an interesting discussion in Jet Blast (https://www.pprune.org/jet-blast/659155-g4-solar-geomagnetic-storm-4.html) about flight ops during a predicted solar storm. My question there was:
"These are questions for commercial pilots who fly polar routes. Do you change your routes if a solar storm is predicted? If so, why? Is it concen about damage to the aircraft or damage to ground or space-based navigational infrastructure? I'm well aware that satellites are often maneuvered or temporarily shut down when a major solar storm is forecast, but I've not heard that airlines do the same thing. If this belongs in another forum, please let me know. I think it's an interesting topic."
My background is in physics and astronomy, so I understand the potential threats of coronal mass ejections (CMEs). When a CME is detected, at-risk satellites are re-orientated or temporarily shut down to protect the electronics. Do airlines adjust polar routes when a storm is predicted or do you just carry on as normal?
I'm not asking as a journalist or anything like that; you can see what I post in Jet Blast if you need verification and if you PM me it will remain confidential. My interest in this is as a scientist, nothing more.