The US is preparing for the total solar eclipse on April 8th. There are also a few things to consider for crews and passengers.
The United States is in eclipse fever. Because on April 8th it will be umbra of the moon will pass over 13 states, causing a total solar eclipse. To experience this, people travel to cities like Buffalo, Indianapolis or Dallas, where the spectacle should be particularly easy to see. Because if you miss it, you have to wait more than 20 years until the next chance comes.
“The next favorable situation will not arise again until August 12, 2045, when, thanks to a new moon near Earth (perigee), an even broader umbra rushes across the USA from the Pacific to the Atlantic,” explains the German Aerospace Center DLR in one Blog post.
What cockpit crews have to expect
But what does the solar eclipse mean for air traffic? The FAA advises that holding patterns, diversions and delayed takeoff clearances are to be expected, especially along the path of the total eclipse. There could be more traffic, congested aprons and delays at the airports there.
The Air Line Pilots Association Alpa union explained what cockpit crews should prepare for during the last total solar eclipse in 2017: On the path of the total eclipse, “you have to expect fairly dark conditions, perhaps as dark as night, with a full moon.” Nighttime landing conditions are to be expected. “Pilots should be vigilant and request that airport lights and other night vision aids be turned on in low light conditions.” Shortly before and after the total eclipse, twilight-like conditions can be expected.
Special flights with Airbus A220 and A321 Neo
The only time it is safe to look toward the sun during the eclipse is the few minutes when it is completely obscured, the union said. This also applies to crew members and passengers on the plane: “At all other times – that is, during any type of partial solar eclipse – you must use specially developed and certified glasses,” writes Alpa.
Delta Air Lines has launched two special flights to allow travelers to see the eclipse for as long as possible. One goes from Austin to Detroit with an Airbus A220, the other goes from Dallas to Detroit with an A321 Neo.
You can see what a solar eclipse looks like above the clouds here: