US airports have been told to prepare for “three days of darkness”

US airports have been told to prepare for “three days of darkness”

Published 25.03.2024 | By Йосиф

US airports have been told to prepare for “three days of darkness”

On the eve of the solar eclipse on April 8, all media outlets joined in the coverage of the astronomical event – even newspapers, which mostly discuss the lives of movie stars. However, conspiracy theorists were very alarmed that the US Federal Aviation Administration was also involved in the topic:

On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse known as the Great North American Eclipse will follow a narrow path from southwest to northeast across thirteen US states. The eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States and Canada. A total solar eclipse will begin over the South Pacific. The eclipse’s path will impact the United States at approximately 18:30–19:40 UTC.

The purpose of this notice is to inform airmen of potential impacts to air traffic and airports along the eclipse path between April 7, 2024, 10:00 UTC and April 10, 2024, 04:00 UTC .

The aircraft must be prepared for potential air delays, diversions and/or expected departure time (EDCT) that may be issued for all domestic arrivals and departures. Traffic management initiatives are possible. To assist FBOs with aircraft parking and reduce congestion, aircraft departing from airports along the eclipse path are strongly encouraged to coordinate departure times as early as possible.

Airports in the path of the eclipse may experience higher traffic volumes than typically expected. Traffic must anticipate delays during peak periods. Parking may be limited, especially at small uncontrolled airports. There may be a delay in issuing departure permits. IFR flights can also expect delays in obtaining air clearance within 50 nautical miles on either side of the eclipse path.

Practical approaches, touch-downs, and flight services at airports in the path of the eclipse may be extremely limited and possibly prohibited during this time period.

Airmen should check NOTAMs carefully for any special procedures/restrictions that may be in effect at affected airports. Specific NOTAM procedures may be subject to revision and arrivals at some airports may be restricted, so please check NOTAMs frequently to ensure you have the latest information.

In ancient times, solar eclipses undoubtedly played an important role in the navigation of the Phoenicians and Vikings, but in the 21st century, when even cars are driven by instruments and not by road signs, NOTAM for an eclipse looks very strange.

How can an eclipse affect electrical appliances and other equipment? Why should there be delays in takeoff/landing and aircraft maintenance? How then do airports work at night?

At first glance, you might think about an increase in traffic, that is, that a million idiots will buy a ticket and fly to watch the eclipse. However, we are talking about idiots, not cretins, since only a cretin will fly to the place 5 minutes before the eclipse, while even an idiot will leave himself a day or two to travel to the hotel, to install equipment for observing the eclipse, to choose a place and so on. In addition, tickets are not purchased in the last 5 minutes – everyone who planned to fly to the show is already sitting on their suitcases and all the data about a possible increase in traffic is at the box office.

Finally, a very strange period of restrictions April 7-10. Is it that there won’t be exactly enough sun? Conspiracy theorists are thinking about three days of darkness, so we are monitoring the developments.

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