Impacts of Space Weather on Aviation and FAA Insights from the May Solar Storms

Space weather refers to the variable conditions on the Sun and in the space environment that can influence the performance and reliability of space and ground-based technological systems, as well as endanger human health. Primary space weather effects concerning aviation include radiation exposure and communication and navigational disruptions.

This presentation will delve into the threats space weather poses to aviation, particularly highlighting those felt during the May 2024 super storms. The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Aviation Weather Division received various anecdotes and reports following the G5 event, which was last reached in 2003. Aircraft technologies have drastically improved over those 21 years to make the national airspace safer and more efficient, but is aviation still vulnerable to space weather events? The launching of the new FAA Aviation Space Weather Research program in 2023 is timely with predicted solar maximum peaking over the next year. The program’s objectives are to conduct research to mitigate the impact of space weather on aviation, its passengers and crews, and to ensure continued safety for years to come.