background image

and/or engine damage/failure. These hazards are most critical during
low altitude flight in calm and cold air,

especially in and around approach and departure corridors or airport
traffic areas.

Whether plumes are visible or invisible, the total extent of their
turbulent affect is difficult to predict. Some

studies do predict that the significant turbulent effects of an exhaust
plume can extend to heights of over 1,000

feet above the height of the top of the stack or cooling
tower. Any effects will be more pronounced in calm stable

air where the plume is very hot and the surrounding area is still and
cold. Fortunately, studies also predict that

any amount of crosswind will help to dissipate the effects. However,
the size of the tower or stack is not a good

indicator of the predicted effect the plume may produce. The major
effects are related to the heat or size of the

plume effluent, the ambient air temperature, and the wind
speed affecting the plume. Smaller aircraft can expect

to feel an effect at a higher altitude than heavier aircraft.

b.  When able, a pilot should steer clear of exhaust plumes by flying
on the upwind side of smokestacks

or cooling towers.

When a plume is visible via smoke or a condensation cloud, remain clear
and realize a plume

may have both visible and invisible characteristics. Exhaust stacks
without visible plumes may still be in full

operation, and airspace in the vicinity should be treated with caution.
As with mountain wave turbulence or clear

air turbulence, an invisible plume may be encountered unexpectedly.
Cooling towers, power plant stacks, exhaust

fans, and other similar structures are depicted in [1]FIG 7

[2]-

[3]6

[4]-

[5]2.

Pilots are encouraged to exercise caution when flying in the vicinity o
f exhaust plumes. Pilots are also

encouraged to reference the Chart Supplement where amplifying notes may
caution pilots and identify the

location of structure(s) emitting exhaust plumes.
The best available information on this phenomenon must come from pilots
via the PIREP reporting procedures.

All pilots encountering hazardous plume conditions are urgently
requested to report time, location, and intensity

(light, moderate, severe, or extreme) of the element to the FAA
facility with which they are maintaining radio

contact. If time and conditions permit, elements should be reported
according to the standards for other PIREPs

[6]and position reports (AIM paragraph 7

[7]-

[8]1

[9]-

[10]21, PIREPS Relating to Turbulence).

FIG 7

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Plumes

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17.  Space Launch and Reentry Area

Locations where commercial space launch and/or reentry operations
occur. Hazardous operations occur in space

launch and reentry areas, and for pilot awareness, a rocket

-

shaped symbol is used to depict them on sectional

aeronautical charts. These locations may have vertical launches from
launch pads, horizontal launches from

runways, and/or reentering vehicles coming back to land. Because of the
wide range of hazards associated with

space launch and reentry areas, pilots are expected to check NOTAMs for
the specific area prior to flight to

determine the location and lateral boundaries of the associated hazard
area, and the active time. NOTAMs may

include terms such as "rocket launch activity," "space launch," or
"space reentry," depending upon the type of

Potential Flight Hazards

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References

1. file:///usr/local/stevei/go-faraim/work/src/faraim/faa/aim/639/aim-639.html#0
2. file:///usr/local/stevei/go-faraim/work/src/faraim/faa/aim/639/aim-639.html#0
3. file:///usr/local/stevei/go-faraim/work/src/faraim/faa/aim/639/aim-639.html#0
4. file:///usr/local/stevei/go-faraim/work/src/faraim/faa/aim/639/aim-639.html#0
5. file:///usr/local/stevei/go-faraim/work/src/faraim/faa/aim/639/aim-639.html#0
6. C:/Users/Georgina A Adu/desktop.ileaf/AIM Chg 2 dtd 3-21-24 (DESKTOP VERSION).ilboo/aim0701#1.ildoc
7. C:/Users/Georgina A Adu/desktop.ileaf/AIM Chg 2 dtd 3-21-24 (DESKTOP VERSION).ilboo/aim0701#1.ildoc
8. C:/Users/Georgina A Adu/desktop.ileaf/AIM Chg 2 dtd 3-21-24 (DESKTOP VERSION).ilboo/aim0701#1.ildoc
9. C:/Users/Georgina A Adu/desktop.ileaf/AIM Chg 2 dtd 3-21-24 (DESKTOP VERSION).ilboo/aim0701#1.ildoc
  10. C:/Users/Georgina A Adu/desktop.ileaf/AIM Chg 2 dtd 3-21-24 (DESKTOP VERSION).ilboo/aim0701#1.ildoc