Fog can severely limit visibility, making it a major challenge for pilots and air traffic controllers during takeoff and landing procedures. At airports, fog can disrupt airline operations, leading to thousands of flight delays and cancellations globally each year, with winter being a particularly high-risk season due to cold temperatures and high humidity creating ideal conditions for fog formation.
When visibility drops below 600 meters at an airport, Low Visibility Procedures (LVP) are implemented to adjust operations and ensure safe aircraft movement on the airfield. Running on the runway in low visibility conditions is especially challenging, as pilots and ATC must rely on maps and limited communications, requiring the aircraft to reach farther distances before takeoff compared to normal conditions.
Takeoffs and landings require specific visibility criteria to be met at various points on the runway, with the runway needing to be clear until the aircraft is safely airborne or landed. Autopilot is often used for landing in low visibility areas, with airports needing landing support systems for safe landings in thick fog.
Arcata-Eureka Airport in California is known as one of the foggiest airports in the world, used by the US Navy for testing fog reduction systems and all-weather training. This highlights the challenges that fog presents in aviation operations and the importance of following specific procedures for safe takeoffs and landings in these conditions.
In conclusion, dense fog can have severe consequences on aviation operations at airports worldwide. To ensure safe operation of aircraft during low visibility conditions, specific procedures such as Low Visibility Procedures (LVP) must be implemented, with autopilot often used for landing in thick fog. It is crucial that pilots and ATC remain vigilant when operating under these conditions to prevent accidents or delays.