Southwest flies through hurricane?

[Divemaster]

Southwest Airlines flight 4522 looks like it went through the eye of Hurricane Hermine last night. Maybe it went over the hurricane, but I've been on flights that went around thunderstorms because they were too tall to go over.

Any pilots want to weigh in on this one?

[bblhead672]

I don't know about flying over a hurricane.
However, once in the Pacific my sub went under a typhoon. Normally smooth ride 400ft down, but under the storm there was a bit of rolling.

[112thSOLCA]

He didn't go over it. Hermine was topping out at 65,000 yesterday and the flight was scheduled at 39,000.

I believe the Flight Aware screen shot is showing the weather at the time of the screen capture not at the time the plane transitioned the airspace.

Based on the information provided the capture is 25 minutes after the plane arrived at the gate. Plus the eye is probably an hour back on his flight path.

However.....
From my perspective that is still danger close to a storm of that magnitude and I wouldn't want to fly it.

[PSM]

Originally Posted by 112thSOLCA

He didn't go over it. Hermine was topping out at 65,000 yesterday and the flight was scheduled at 39,000.

I believe the Flight Aware screen shot is showing the weather at the time of the screen capture not at the time the plane transitioned the airspace.

Based on the information provided the capture is 25 minutes after the plane arrived at the gate. Plus the eye is probably an hour back on his flight path.

Half an hour late out of the gate and only 11 min. late on arrival. Could have used the leading NE edge for the tailwind. Gutsy call by the DXer and Pilot, if true. That's how you use a Low Pressure area, though.

Pat

[Divemaster]

Originally Posted by 112thSOLCA

He didn't go over it. Hermine was topping out at 65,000 yesterday and the flight was scheduled at 39,000.

I believe the Flight Aware screen shot is showing the weather at the time of the screen capture not at the time the plane transitioned the airspace.

Based on the information provided the capture is 25 minutes after the plane arrived at the gate. Plus the eye is probably an hour back on his flight path.

However.....
From my perspective that is still danger close to a storm of that magnitude and I wouldn't want to fly it.

Nice analysis, but this indicates they went right through it: http://bit.ly/2clCXhF

[P36]

Originally Posted by Divemaster

Nice analysis, but this indicates they went right through it: http://bit.ly/2clCXhF

Who created that Youtube video I wonder. Unlikely ATC would allow that. I've flown over several Typhoons in the past and took off in one from Okinawa.

[Ambush Master]

Originally Posted by P36

Who created that Youtube video I wonder. Unlikely ATC would allow that. I've flown over several Typhoons in the past and took off in one from Okinawa.

ATC is only responsible for Air Traffic, not Weather. The Weather aspect is the responsibility of the Air Carrier

[miclo18d]

My wife's flight, Delta 2304, went around it to the East. She said the flight wasn't bad at all.

[cback0220]

Originally Posted by Ambush Master

ATC is only responsible for Air Traffic, not Weather. The Weather aspect is the responsibility of the Air Carrier

That isn't true. While IFR which all flights over 17,999 ft AGL are, you receive clearance and vectors from ATC. There is no way ATC vectored them through that storm.

[PSM]

Originally Posted by cback0220

That isn't true. While IFR which all flights over 17,999 ft AGL are, you receive clearance and vectors from ATC. There is no way ATC vectored them through that storm.

I don't believe thet that's what AM was saying. (BTW 17,999' is MSL [QNH]. At FL180 it becomes QNE: 29.92 inHg.)

The Air Carrier's flight plan from the dispatcher, and accepted by the aircraft CAPT, determines the route based on the forecast and subsequent observations and information. ATC can make suggestions but the CPT can fly his route as planned if he chooses to (barring a pop-up TFR or traffic conflict). You are right that ATC would not vector him into it, but even if they did he could refuse.

ETA: I retired before 9-11 so my info may have been superseded by new regs.

Pat

[cback0220]

Originally Posted by PSM

I don't believe thet that's what AM was saying. (BTW 17,999' is MSL [QNH]. At FL180 it becomes QNE: 29.92 inHg.)

The Air Carrier's flight plan from the dispatcher, and accepted by the aircraft CAPT, determines the route based on the forecast and subsequent observations and information. ATC can make suggestions but the CPT can fly his route as planned if he chooses to (barring a pop-up TFR or traffic conflict). You are right that ATC would not vector him into it, but even if they did he could refuse.

ETA: I retired before 9-11 so my info may have been superseded by new regs.

Pat

I meant MSL, oops on my part. If you were an airline pilot you prolly know better than me. But I doubt they would have received clearance and then vectoring through the storm. They will vector around weather while IFR not in the flight levels(where me and my DA-40 fly).

[PSM]

Originally Posted by cback0220

I meant MSL, oops on my part. If you were an airline pilot you prolly know better than me. But I doubt they would have received clearance and then vectoring through the storm. They will vector around weather while IFR not in the flight levels(where me and my DA-40 fly).

I was an Airline Dispatcher, we had our own on-duty meteorologists and didn't rely on NOAA/NWS so we had some leeway. BTW, feel free to fly the Diamond to KFHU anytime for a visit.

Pat

[cback0220]

Originally Posted by PSM

I was an Airline Dispatcher, we had our own on-duty meteorologists and didn't rely on NOAA/NWS so we had some leeway. BTW, feel free to fly the Diamond to KFHU anytime for a visit.

Pat

If I am ever out west I will. Flying out west is on my bucket list, so many beautiful places to explore. If I get out there we will take the Diamond for a spin(not literally of course)