Airplanes have revolutionized the way in which we travel. With the cruising speed of commercial airliners reaching about 475 to 575 mph, they allow passengers to quickly reach their destinations — without encountering traffic.
While they have a superior level of navigational freedom compared to automobiles, however, there are a few places where airplanes can’t fly. They can’t fly over Antarctica, for instance. To learn more about why airplanes can’t fly over the world’s southernmost continent, keep reading.
Strong Winds
Antarctica is home to some of the strongest winds on the planet. During the winter, wind speeds over Antarctica can reach 100 to 200 mph. These strong winds can prove dangerous to airplanes and other types of aircraft, as it creates turbulence.
Extremely Cold Temperatures
Not surprisingly, Antarctica has extremely cold temperatures. Temperatures can drop to minus 100 degrees Fahrenheit or below. At higher altitudes, temperatures are even colder. While airplanes can handle moderate cold temperatures, extremely cold temperatures such as those over antarctica can cause problems. It can make oil and other fluids more viscous while also causing mechanical parts to lock up.
Lack of Emergency Landing Options
Another reason why airplanes don’t fly over Antarctica is the lack of emergency landing options. Mechanical failure can occur during flights. Pilots, though, are trained to make emergency landings. But Antarctica has few to no options for emergency landings. There are only a few airstrips present, which are typically used for research missions. These airstrips are too small for commercial airliners. Furthermore, Antarctica is covered in snow and ice year-round.
Navigational Disruption
There’s also the potential for navigational disruption when flying over Antarctica. Magnetic compasses aren’t accurate that far south. As a result, pilots flying over Antarctica would have to rely on other means of navigation, such GPS and inertial systems.
Range Limits
One of the most challenging aspects of flying over Antarctica is range limits. Commercial airliners have a fixed range, which is heavily influenced by their weight and fuel capacity. The heavier the airliner, the shorter its range. Airliners with a lower fuel capacity also have a shorter range than those with a higher fuel capacity. These range limits can prevent airliners from even reaching Antarctica.
In Conclusion
With the exception of those used for research missions, Antarctica is generally off limits for most airplanes. It has some of the strongest winds on the planet, brutally cold temperatures, a lack of emergency landing options, and it can cause navigational disruptions. Combined with airplanes’ range limits, this makes it an incredibly difficult flight destination.
