SOLAR RADIATION IN AVIATION

What is Solar Weather?

Solar weather refers to conditions originating from the Sun that influence Earth’s atmosphere and magnetic field. These conditions are driven by powerful solar events such as solar flares, coronal mass ejections (CMEs), and geomagnetic storms.

When these charged particles reach Earth, they interact with the upper atmosphere and ionosphere, the same region aircraft operate within, disrupting systems aviation relies on every day.

Solar Weather and Aviation - What Every Pilot Should Know.

Modern aviation relies heavily on technology, precision, and human performance. While most pilots are well trained in meteorology, solar weather also known as space weather remains one of the least discussed yet increasingly relevant safety factors in aviation.

Solar activity can directly affect aircraft systems, navigation, communication, radiation exposure, and even pilot fatigue. As aviation continues to expand globally, understanding solar weather is becoming essential for flight safety, not just for long-haul or polar operations, but for aviation worldwide.

How Solar Activity Affects Aircraft and Navigation

Modern aircraft are highly dependent on electronic systems and satellite-based navigation. During periods of heightened solar activity, pilots may experience degraded GPS accuracy affecting RNAV and RNP Procedures, interference with satellite signals, and disruption to HF radio communications radio blackout or severe interference on long-range routes, particularly on long-range and polar routes. Increased reliance on procedural navigation and ATC coordination.

While aircraft systems are designed with redundancy, these disruptions can significantly increase cockpit workload, require procedural changes, and demand higher levels of situational awareness from flight crews.

Radiation Exposure at Flight Altitude

Pilots and cabin crew are exposed to cosmic radiation at cruising altitude, as Earth’s natural atmospheric protection is reduced above 30,000 feet. This exposure increases with altitude, flight duration, and latitude. Aircrew receive higher radiation doses than the general population due to repeated exposure at altitude. Solar storms can significantly increase dose rates, particularly on polar routes.

During solar storms, radiation levels can rise rapidly. Long-haul, high-altitude, and polar flights experience the highest exposure. Although regulated and monitored, radiation exposure is cumulative and remains an important occupational health consideration for aircrew.

Regulators require airlines to monitor cumulative exposure and apply mitigations such as altitude changes or rerouting when thresholds are approached. Pregnant crew members require additional planning and monitoring.

International aviation authorities recognise radiation as a workplace hazard and require monitoring, dose tracking, and operational mitigation during periods of elevated solar activity.

Human Performance, Fatigue, and Safety

Solar weather affects more than aircraft, it affects people. Unexpected system behaviour, communication degradation, and increased workload contribute to fatigue, stress, and decision-making pressure. Human factors remain a leading contributor to aviation incidents, and external stressors such as space weather must be understood as part of holistic flight safety. Mental resilience, preparedness, and situational awareness are essential when operating in environments influenced by invisible risks.

Why Solar Weather Awareness Matters for African Aviation

Africa’s aviation sector is growing rapidly, with increased reliance on GNSS navigation, remote operations, humanitarian flying, and long regional routes. Many areas operate with limited infrastructure backups, making preparedness critical.

Solar weather education supports safer planning, improved operational resilience, and stronger safety culture, particularly in regions where technological redundancy may be limited.

Preparing for the Invisible Environment

Pilots and operators can reduce risk by monitoring space weather forecasts, reviewing relevant NOTAMs, maintaining proficiency in conventional navigation, and integrating space weather awareness into safety briefings and training.

Solar radiation may be invisible, but its effects are real. Aviation safety depends on anticipating risks not reacting to them.

The African Section of The Ninety-Nines continues to support education that connects science, safety, and human performance, empowering pilots to navigate both visible and invisible challenges in the skies.

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