Would a flight be able to take off even though there is sleet?

Question

I am on a flight from Bradley in Conn. departing sunday for Atlanta.
Even though it already snowed a mountain and flights were delayed a few hours, will I be able to depart with minimal delays despite 100 % chance of sleet (freezing rain)?

Thanks! I figured out the schedule and I can be about three hours late at the most to catch the last flight out of ATL. Lets hope everything goes as planned =)
Happy Holidays!!

Answer 1

You really can't tell in advance.

It depends on how bad the sleet is. Yes, they can de-ice the airplanes if the sleet isn't bad. However, it may be difficult or impossible if it's coming down fast. Aircraft wings have to be clean at take off or they lose their lift. If they lose their lift, your flight will be very short and end very badly. They also have to keep the runways clear. If the runways turn icy, then planes can't take off and land safely.

It also depends on conditions enroute to your city. If weather is poor and air traffic control has to reduce the number of flights, then your inbound aircraft may be delayed.

All you can do it sit tight and see what happens on Sunday. Everything may be great. (Hopefully!) Maybe it won't be.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Since the plane is mostly controlled by auto-pilot, visibility rarely affects a flights take off or landing. Same with clouds. Your flight will still go on if it is a "light" rain. Flights typically only get cancelled if there is a severe thunderstorm where the winds and lightning would affect the plane throughout the flight or if it is windy/icy. There is a limit to what a plane can and can't land and take off from. Usually, the wind has to be above 20 for it to be unsafe for an aircraft to take off. The temperature is also a danger factor when flying. For most airlines, if the temperature gets above 120 degrees F, the planes aren't allowed to take off. By the way you described the flight, it will be on. The weather can change fast though. Hope I helped and enjoy your flight! ~Deltaflyer

Answer 3

Yes they can,,, they do de-ice the airplanes and the runways in order for them to take off and land safely.

If the storm does get bad enough, they'll shut down a few runways and landing strip so that they can closely focus on real safety rather than quantity of aircrafts landing. That also mean, fewer airplanes can land or take off. Which is a mess for the air traffic control people. Flight will get delayed, but thing about it. It's all for your safety. It's to make sure nothin happens to you or the airplanes.

I hope this clears you up on your question..

Have a great day and god bless.

Answer 4

There are a couple of factors:

1. Visibility during the storm, can the pilots see safely enough to get the plane up off the ground.

2. Air traffic in the area departing, and air traffic in Atlanta.

3. Equipment being flown (how large a plane is it? can it be safely deiced enough to get it off the ground)

Answer 5

They can take off during storms like that, but maybe delayed a bit. You can check delays, etc... for airports all over the country here: http://www.fly.faa.gov/flyfaa/usmap.jsp
Hope this helps and you have a great trip!

Answer 6

Most likely they will get away. De-icing might cause some delays.

Answer 7

Yes there usually take off when there is snow even
have a nice trip


(they're)

Answer 8

yes they de-ice the plane and the runways

Answer 9

it wont take off if there is an ice storm or snow storm.

Answer 10

i would think they could but they wont be able to steer accurately.