Environmental factors and Aircraft Performance

Aviation is an essential aspect of our national economy, allowing people and things to travel worldwide and supporting economic growth. Because air traffic is continually expanding, aviation safety has become a significant issue in many countries. An airplane accident causes human injury or perhaps death; it also impacts the reputation and economy of the country's air transportation business. Aircraft operate under such conditions, which contribute to aviation safety. The environment is a crucial cause of aircraft accidents and incidents. Several critical atmospheric conditions have resulted in severe air disasters and frequent aircraft schedule problems. Storms, hail, icing, wind shear, extreme precipitation, and other dangerous weather conditions prevail. Thunderstorms are the root cause of a high number of accidents and incidents. Weather systems like thunderstorms arise when a thick, unstable layer of air extends upward from the earth's surface.

To put it another way, hail is exceptionally damaging to aircraft engines and structures because of its solid character and high-water content. Icing is extremely dangerous during flight because structural icing on wings and control surfaces increases aircraft weight, reduces lift, causes misleading instrument readings, and jeopardizes aircraft control. Tire–pavement friction is necessary for aircraft braking and directional control, diminished when the runway is covered in snow or ices (Smith, 2011). Rain reduces visibility, and one of the most severe consequences of heavy rain is the combustion of aircraft engines. Wind shear is described as the geographical and temporal variations in wind speed and/or direction. Wind shear produces bumpy flights, control issues, and occasionally irreversible loss of control, which leads to an accident.

The altitude affects aerodynamic performance. Air density increases with lower altitude, decreasing aircraft performance, and decreases with greater altitude, increasing engine and aircraft performance. Because the aircraft's ascent rate is less than its approach speed and true airspeed is greater than the displayed airspeed, higher elevation airports require longer runways as an airplane ascends in altitude, the temperature and air density decrease (FAA). Temperature influences airplane performance. When the atmosphere's temperature is exceptionally high, the aircraft requires a lengthy runway, a low rate of climb, and a speedier approach. When high temperatures and altitudes mix, it lowers the airplane's aerodynamic performance. Humidity can also affect an aircraft's performance. Humidity is the most significant amount of water in the air (
FAA). High humidity affects engine power, reducing airplane performance. Thus, all of these factors minimize aircraft efficiency.

Environmental considerations affect aircraft performance more. Several flights have failed due to these circumstances. Weather affects airplane performance more. Poor weather conditions increase the probability of significant accidents and incidents. Atmospheric events have a more substantial detrimental impact on flying performance. Temperature and air density are related to altitude, as is aircraft performance. 
 

                                                            References

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). (2016). Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PHAK). Retrieved https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/phak/

Principles of Flight. (2106). ERAU Special VFR. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5O-j0w-h7v0&list=PLzW-Ub1FWeZzdOHQhNK0U0Ci1a-VRH8IO&ab_channel=ERAUSpecialVFR

G Smith (2011), Natural Disaster Vulnerability: A Real Risk for Airports, Aviation Special Report

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