Lightning encounter
By Geoffrey Thomas Fri Oct 25, 2013
AirlineRatings.com has sourced an excellent video (below) that shows pilots navigating around a severe thunderstorm cell over Indonesia.
The clip is taken by Captain Shaun Chen in the cockpit of a Boeing 747-400.
Initially the thunderstorm is dead ahead and then the captain requests and receives permission to deviate left of track.
The thunderstorm cell is red on the pilot’s primary flight display and the 747 is shown as as a purple triangle. (See picture)
You will see the track of the 747 - ahead of the triangle - turn to the left.
You will notice the 747 hits some turbulence when it comes abeam of the thunderstorm and that is turbulence off the top of the thunderstorm being blown across the path of the 747.
Typically pilots will try to go to the windward side of a thunderstorm but that is not always possible.
The video runs for about four minutes but the most spectacular part is the first 2.50 minutes.
Have questions or want to share your thoughts?
