Can u land in Snow Storm snow in an 747 A340 or other?

Question

Can u land in Snow Storm snow in an 747 A340 or other?

Answer 1

The short answer is maybe.

When deciding to land in bad weather, there are a number of factors that determine whether an aircraft will attempt a landing and whether it will 'get in'.

These include:

-inflight & Ground visibility,

-ceiling height, (How high the clouds or fog is above the ground)

-wind speed, direction and amount of gusts,

-runway conditions, and

-type of precipitation

For the most part, in major snow storms, one or more of the preceeding factors will limit the ability of an aircraft to land.

When flying an approach, an aircraft has to see the runway by a certain height before landing. This is called decision height. If the pilots can't see the runway when they get to decision height, they need to 'Go-Around'

Winds can also play a factor. If the winds on the ground are too gusty or blowing too hard, it might be beyond the limits of the aircraft. See http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=ddb_12044... for an airbus A320 trying to land in really gusty winds.

Winds are related to the runway surface. If the runway is covered with ice or snow, and especially if it is windy, the aircraft might not be able to land because it is too slippery and it has the potential to slide off the side or over-run the runway like Air France in Toronto or SouthWest Airlines in Chicago.

Finally, if there is freezing rain, aircraft generally want to stay away as it could cause wing contamination.

Landing in snow storms can be done, but it there are a lot of factors that a pilot has to take into consideration before deciding if they'll be able to land.

Cheers,

James Ball

Author of "So, You Want to be a Pilot, Eh? - A Guidebook for Canadian Pilot Training"

http://www.piloteh.com

http://www.piloteh.blogspot.com

Answer 2

yes u can ,  but few conditions must be met...

1  no wind shear on final.... and to copmly with your crosswind componant capability

2  visibilty at minumum  the decision height   (runway in sight)

3runway visual range     RVR    complies with your aircrafts speed.

4 runway clear of ice,,,  snow

Answer 3

Sure, as long as visibility and ceiling are above minimums for the approach and the runway is plowed.

Answer 4

Sure, I think a more appropriate question would be what are the limitations and regualtions to land a 747 or A340 Safely during a snow storm.

Answer 5

Yes, in most cases, with appropriate caution.  No wind shear, no other freaky wind conditions, the proper RVR, workable minimums, and a runway that is more or less clear of snow and ice.

It may not be the most fun thing you did all day, but it's doable.

Answer 6

Yes but you will be strictly is IFR conditions. (since a snow storm has limited visibility.) IFR and IMC.....Forgot IMC thanks

Answer 7

Maybe Comair meant to say "IMC" (Instrument Meteorological Conditions)--not "IFR."