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n2doc

(47,953 posts) Tue Jun 20, 2017, 06:04 AM Jun 2017

It's so hot in Phoenix, they can't fly planes [View all]

PHOENIX — The extreme heat forecast for Phoenix on Tuesday has caused the cancellation of 20 American Airlines flights out of Sky Harbor International Airport.

According to a statement from American Airlines, the American Eagle regional flights use the Bombardier CRJ aircraft, which has a maximum operating temperature of 118 degrees. Tuesday's forecast for Phoenix included a high of 120 degrees, and the flights that are affected were to take off between 3 and 6 p.m. MT.

Customers affected were told to contact American Airlines for rebooking options or to request a refund.

Extreme heat affects a plane's ability to take off. Hot air is less dense than cold air, and the hotter the temperature, the more speed a plane needs to lift off. A runway might not be long enough to allow a plane to achieve the necessary extra speed.

more
https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/nation-now/2017/06/19/its-so-hot-phoenix-they-cant-fly-planes/410766001/

26 replies

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Highlight:

It's so hot in Phoenix, they can't fly planes [View all] n2doc Jun 2017 OP

That's amazing underpants Jun 2017 #1

As the heat rises lift goes down. TexasProgresive Jun 2017 #2

Not to mention that a clear, hot day causes more updrafts elehhhhna Jun 2017 #7

Very interesting. Thanks, N2doc. Just one of thousands Hortensis Jun 2017 #3

Was American the ONLY airline to halt flying there? nikibatts Jun 2017 #4

The type of plane they use. Atman Jun 2017 #6

IIRC, they had to shut down the entire airport back in 1990 when it hit 123F hatrack Jun 2017 #8

NEEDLES !! pangaia Jun 2017 #15

Wow, now the airlines are part of the conspiracy. Girard442 Jun 2017 #5

LoL volstork Jun 2017 #9

I've got 2 words for you: fake weather. Vinca Jun 2017 #10

Just saw this on ABC malaise Jun 2017 #11

Comment from the President C_U_L8R Jun 2017 #12

Called density altitude,it can happen anywhere with enough heat Bengus81 Jun 2017 #13

With turbofans or turbo chargers the problem is more the loss of lift in the airfoils. pangaia Jun 2017 #16

All true, but not really the reason why they can't take off Major Nikon Jun 2017 #25

Last time I was in Phoenix... lefthandedskyhook Jun 2017 #14

Thread winner..... LOL pangaia Jun 2017 #17

The early bird might catch the worm.... but JoeStuckInOH Jun 2017 #24

Just further proof that the CRJ 700 is totally worthless... Blue_Tires Jun 2017 #18

It's a very capable aircraft that fills the regional jet roll quite well Major Nikon Jun 2017 #26

A friend told me DownriverDem Jun 2017 #19

As of 6:40 AM, it's 83F in Phoenix; today's high 120, tonight's low 90 hatrack Jun 2017 #20

This post making me think about my flight marlakay Jun 2017 #21

This happened to me once in Omaha. WhiskeyGrinder Jun 2017 #22

Wait until the end of JUly,,,,,,,,,,,,,! Cryptoad Jun 2017 #23