Title: Flying Through Clouds – Why Are They So Dangerous? | Southern Wings
Headings: Flying Through Clouds – Why Are They So Dangerous?
Flying Through Clouds – Why Are They So Dangerous?
Types Of Clouds
Turbulence When Flying Through Clouds
What Happens In Severe Turbulence?
How Do Planes Fly Through Clouds?
What Makes Flying Through Clouds So Dangerous?

Content: These are using Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and using Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). Visual flight rules allow pilots to basically look out the window and fly according to what they see. Flying IFR only means you have to rely solely on the aircrafts on-board instruments to maintain flight as there are little or no external visual references. Not all pilots are IFR rated (able to fly IFR only) as this requires extra training and skills. The low visibility encountered when flying through clouds means using Instrument Flight Rules are necessary. This explains the need, not only legally but also practically to avoid clouds during flight if you are not IFR rated. What Makes Flying Through Clouds So Dangerous? Other than turbulence and having the right skills to navigate low visibility flight conditions there is one major thing that makes flying through clouds extremely dangerous. This is the possibility of mid-air collision, mostly likely with other aircraft but also with protruding buildings or landmarks taking up the combined airspace. For aircraft which are able to navigate using IFR like large passenger planes, it is impossible to avoid passing through clouds during their daily flight paths, so how do they avoid collisions with other aircraft?