Landing on unpaved runways or runways covered by snow or dust causes a white/brown-out visibility restriction.
Does it disrupt the pilot's visibility during the roll out in a fixed-wing aircraft?
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
2
asked Jan 4, 2016 at 19:25
-
4$\begingroup$ In my experience landing single engine tractor, high wing airplanes on very dry, dusty sand and clay surfaces, as well as snowy surfaces, no. I think the danger lies in visibility impairment to rotorcraft pilots, as well as FOD damage to airframes or powerplants. $\endgroup$– J WJan 4, 2016 at 21:44
-
$\begingroup$ Whiteout can be a significant hazard to aircraft using reverse thrust to slow. $\endgroup$– nexus_2006Jan 5, 2016 at 17:50
Add a comment
|
1 Answer
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
From a partial accident list on Wikipedia, the issue seems to affect only helicopters.
A fixed wing rolling out should have no issue. As the dust/snow cloud will be behind the windshield. A plane landing in sequence should wait until the dust/snow settles.
Also an approach in poor visibility caused by a sandstorm would be no different than an approach in fog. An instrument approach will be carried out.