Flights canceled in Phoenix due to heat

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CHamilton

CHamilton

Engineer
AU Supporting Member
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Jul 13, 2011
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It’s so hot in Phoenix, planes are physically unable to fly

https://www.theverge.com/2017/6/20/15837804/phoenix-extreme-heat-american-airlines-flight-cancel-science

Extreme heat affects a plane’s ability to take off, especially smaller jets like those that service American Airlines’ regional routes. Larger aircraft manufactured by Boeing and Airbus have maximum operating temperatures of 127 degrees. But smaller planes, like the Bombardier CRJ regional aircraft, can only operate at a maximum temperature of 118 degrees.
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1. Build a giant, air-conditioned dome over the airport.

2. Strategically place flaps in the dome that the air traffic controllers can quickly open and close.

3. Pilots aim for these flaps upon take-off and landing.

4. I've solved your problem, Phoenix. You're welcome.
 
fairviewroad said:
1. Build a giant, air-conditioned dome over the airport.

2. Strategically place flaps in the dome that the air traffic controllers can quickly open and close.

3. Pilots aim for these flaps upon take-off and landing.

4. I've solved your problem, Phoenix. You're welcome.
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Here in Houston we might consider such a solution workable....
 
ehbowen said:
fairviewroad said:
1. Build a giant, air-conditioned dome over the airport.

2. Strategically place flaps in the dome that the air traffic controllers can quickly open and close.

3. Pilots aim for these flaps upon take-off and landing.

4. I've solved your problem, Phoenix. You're welcome.
Click to expand...
Here in Houston we might consider such a solution workable....
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Or......they could borrow a trick from a long time ago....attach a pair of RATO.s to the aircraft...

 
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It's incorrect to say the planes are physically unable to fly.

It's just that the certified performance charts of those types of planes only go up to a certain maximum temperature. Those charts are what get used for load planning, runway calculations, etc. Once above that temperature, there is no guide for what is legal & safe.
 
Metra Electric Rider said:
Devil's Advocate said:
In recent years planes have been sinking into melting tarmac as well. Good thing we outlawed science and physics.
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Maybe they should try that ancient Roman invention - concrete?
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Replacing the asphalt aprons and taxiways of major airports with cement is expensive and time consuming. There are some newer more temperature resistant formulations of asphalt but as temperatures keep going up they'll eventually need to be replaced as well. Over time cement use is becoming more common but considering it took decades to build what they have now it will likely take decades more to dig it up, haul it away, and replace it again. These are major multi-year projects that take substantial time and resources to complete. Not to mention funding it all. It's not just taxes and PFC's that will increase but landing fees, parking fees, and retail prices.
 
CRJ's are limited to ISA+35ºC for takeoff. It's pretty much Bombardier's upper limitation. ISA or International Standard Atmosphere is 15ºC (59ºF) at sea level. Phoenix is at 1135 feet elevation so it's ISA would be about 13ºC, assuming a 2ºC lapse rate per 1,000 feet of elevation. So the limitation at PHX is indeed 48ºC or 118ºF.

Salt Lake City was pretty close to being over the limit too and SLC is much higher than PHX is at 4200 feet. ISA temp at SLC is about 7ºC so that would make 42ºC or 108ºF the limiting temp. Denver's maximum temperature would be even lower!
 
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