Understanding What is Fog?

Understanding What is Fog?

 

Approaching in lowest Visibility

 

Most Aircraft accidents related to low ceilings and visibilities involve pilots who are not instrument qualified. So, basically stated, Fog is a cloud that forms and remains close to the ground.

As Pilots always we are consistently about their problems about the weather, and also the cause and effects why accidents happen.

 

I believe when I’m writing  interesting articles to promote safety on my blog , it is with the only purpose to understand incidents and accidents in General Aviation. So writing is a way of discovering and learning, writing is a way of thinking and reflecting , also writing is a way of owing and sharing knowledge. To me writing what I learned in college is the way to communicate a message for a purpose to understand different concepts relating Aviation Safety.

What is the major purpose for writing on this Safety Blog? A writer purpose for me writing is the motivating force behind what’s being written to avoid incidents and accidents.

 

Let’s continue understanding more what that mean fog to you as a pilot? Fog is a surface based cloud composed of either water droplets or ice crystals. Fog is the most frequent cause of surface visibility below 3 miles, and is one of the most common persistent weather hazards encountered in Aviation.

The rapidity with which fog can form makes it particularly hazardous to all pilots if you don’t understand well the idea about the term fog.

Several factors, including high humidity, abundant condensation dust particles, water droplets or ice crystals, little or no wind, and cooling promote the formation of fog.

Clouds and fog form in air that is saturated with water vapor. So, air is said to be saturated when it reaches 100 % water vapor content for a given temperature. The higher the temperature, the more water vapor a given volume of air can hold. For every 20 degrees Fahrenheit increase in air temperature the air capacity to hold water vapor is doubled.   

Therefore when a meteorological condition is telling us that a relative humidity is 45% is saying that the air is 45% saturated with water vapor, so the most important indicator at this point of probable conditions for fog formation is the temperature dew point spread the dew point being that temperature to which air must be cooled to become saturated, as the dew point and air temperature approach each other, the possibility of fog increases.    

There are several different types of fog that any Commercial or Private Pilot must know to recognize and to be familiar with each type of fog in order to fly safely in any fog conditions during  approach whit the effects on fog flying , always remember there are several operational complications to be considered when dealing with fog .

Types Of Fog : Radiation Fog, Advection Fog , Upslope Fog , Precipitation Induced Fog , Steam Fog , Ice Fog , Smog ( is a phenomenon closely related to fog ).

 

There are a few rules that can help pilots anticipate and deal with fog, so always my best advice to all pilots, is be aware that although fog is more prevalent in late fall and early winter time, and also can occur during any season of the year.

So well, fog particularly during the time of the year when the temperature is generally cooler too. Also another tip, the possibility of fog exists, even though you might be in the clear sky at the moment when will be approaching at the field.

Most Pilots involved in weather related accidents that resulted in fatal consequences, comprehensive, timely weather information and a good prefight planning is the key to fly safely all the time.

Any Pilot knows how to make a Go Around on time, a good pilot knows when.

I sincerely believe you will enjoy this interesting post and at the same time increase your flying safety knowledge’s.