Some Days You Fly

Some days you blog.

Today's challenge is to learn about operating in snow without actually taxiing on the snow-covered taxiways. Imagine you have a nice hot drink (spiked if you like: we're not flying anyway) and some place warm to sit with a good view of the runway, to sit and watch other pilots sliding around in the snow. Not to mock them; no one wants to have an accident, but to learn from their woes. All the accidents linked below happened in the United States last winter.

Airplanes don't require traction from their tires because the wheels are not powered, but when the taxiways and runways are slippery, the brakes are not effective and it may be difficult to steer, see the centreline, or maintain directional control on the ground, especially in a crosswind.

The nosewheel may become stuck in soft snow, causing the airplane to tip forward and become damaged.

If landing on a snow-covered runway is necessary, ensure that you have correctly identified the runway, that the snow is not too deep, that you have enough distance to stop without effective braking, and that you touch down with momentum and aircraft both aligned with the runway.