FLYING THROUGH CLOUDS - Why Are They So Dangerous? - Weather conditions are a huge factor in aviation safety, and learning about cloud formations and their potential dangers when flying is a vital part of pilot training in New Zealand. Sometimes flying through clouds is just like driving through fog – you really can’t see much but nothing bad happens – but sometimes they can represent extreme danger for pilots, planes and passengers. Across the history of aircraft flight around the world planes have been damaged and even broken up when encountering severe thunderstorm clouds in-flight. Some clouds such as the cumulonimbus are definitely a direct danger to aircraft; some clouds simply indicate a potential problem and others have no effect at all. During flight and in pre-flight planning it is the pilot’s job to assess and evaluate weather conditions as to whether they are a threat to the aircraft or not. In order to accurately assess threat levels as a pilot it is important to know the different types of clouds and how they affect weather and flight conditions. Clouds are made up of tiny water droplets formed by rising water vapour as it cools. These tiny water droplets form clusters in which the air swirls about unpredictably due to the denser internal conditions compared to the surrounding external air. As a result complex updrafts and downdrafts are created. These cloud-borne updrafts and downdrafts result in rapid and unpredictable changes to the lift force on the wings of an aircraft.

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Flying Through Clouds

Why Are They So Dangerous?

Southern Wings

Weather conditions are a huge factor in aviation safety, and learning about cloud formations and their potential dangers when flying is a vital part of pilot training in New Zealand.

Sometimes flying through clouds is just like driving through fog – you really can’t see much but nothing bad happens – but sometimes they can represent extreme danger for pilots, planes and passengers.

Across the history of aircraft flight around the world planes have been damaged and even broken up when encountering severe thunderstorm clouds in-flight.

Some clouds such as the cumulonimbus are definitely a direct danger to aircraft; some clouds simply indicate a potential problem and others have no effect at all. 

During flight and in pre-flight planning it is the pilot’s job to assess and evaluate weather conditions as to whether they are a threat to the aircraft or not.

Types Of Clouds

In order to accurately assess threat levels as a pilot it is important to know the different types of clouds and how they affect weather and flight conditions.

While there are officially hundreds of types of clouds, here in New Zealand the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) categorises NZ cloud types in the following 3 ways.

1. Low Level Clouds that form below 6500 feet

·               Stratocumulus (Sc) – flattened heaped cloud

·               Stratus (St) – low level dull grey layer cloud

·               Cumulus (Cu) – heaped or piled cloud

·               Towering Cumulus (TCu) – towering heaped cloud

·               Cumulonimbus (Cb) – rainy thundery heaped cloud

2. Middle Clouds that usually form between 6500 feet and 20,000 feet

(Nimbostratus clouds may form at lower altitudes in some parts of NZ)

·               Altocumulus (Ac) – billowy mid-level cloud

·               Altostratus (As) – mid level layer cloud

·               Nimbostratus (Ns) – rainy layer cloud

3. High Level Clouds that usually form above 20,000 feet over New Zealand

·               Cirrus (Ci) – thin wispy hair-like high level cloud

·               Cirrocumulus (Cc) – billowy or rippled wispy cloud

·               Cirrostratus (Cs) – veil like high layer cloud

Turbulence When Flying Through Clouds

Why do aeroplanes jump up and down and lurch around when flying through clouds?

And can severe turbulence damage the plane?

To understand the answer to these questions we must first look at exactly what a cloud is and the also understand the forces acting on an aeroplane during flight.

Clouds are made up of tiny water droplets formed by rising water vapour as it cools.

These tiny water droplets form clusters in which the air swirls about unpredictably due to the denser internal conditions compared to the surrounding external air.

As a result complex updrafts and downdrafts are created.

These cloud-borne updrafts and downdrafts result in rapid and unpredictable changes to the lift force on the wings of an aircraft.

More or less lift and the difference between these changes is what causes the aircraft to lurch and jump about during flight, or turbulence as it is called within the industry.

While most encounters with turbulence are fairly routine (due to careful planning and skill), and aeroplanes are designed to cope with the forces and pressures placed upon them during these minor occurrences, it is the unpredictable nature combined with the low visibility that makes them a danger to pilots, aircraft and passengers.

What Happens In Severe Turbulence?

If a pilot is not skilled enough or experiences extreme levels of turbulence, this can cause them to lose control of the aircraft during flight.

This is a particular concern around Cumulonimbus clouds (thunderstorm clouds) which can be concealing severe turbulence, strong vertical motions, severe icing, thunderstorms and hail.

This is why pilots do not choose to fly through clouds if they are avoidable and plan their flight path in order to avoid certain weather patterns involving large and dangerous cloud formations (for larger passenger aircraft this means flying up above the cloud base).

How Do Planes Fly Through Clouds?

Even though clouds are dangerous it is not always possible to avoid them during flight, so how do planes fly through clouds?

First we need to understand the difference between flying using visual versus instrument based skills.

When training to be a pilot there are two sets of regulations that determine how and when pilots are able to fly their aircraft. These are using Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and using Instrument Flight Rules (IFR).

Visual flight rules allow pilots to basically look out the window and fly according to what they see.

Flying IFR only means you have to rely solely on the aircrafts on-board instruments to maintain flight as there are little or no external visual references.

Not all pilots are IFR rated (able to fly IFR only) as this requires extra training and skills.

The low visibility encountered when flying through clouds means using Instrument Flight Rules are necessary. This explains the need, not only legally but also practically to avoid clouds during flight if you are not IFR rated.

What Makes Flying Through Clouds So Dangerous?

Other than turbulence and having the right skills to navigate low visibility flight conditions there is one major thing that makes flying through clouds extremely dangerous.

This is the possibility of mid-air collision, mostly likely with other aircraft but also with protruding buildings or landmarks taking up the combined airspace.

For aircraft which are able to navigate using IFR like large passenger planes, it is impossible to avoid passing through clouds during their daily flight paths, so how do they avoid collisions with other aircraft?

The pilots are kept informed by ground based Air Traffic Control (ATC) which keep track of all aircraft in the area using on-board transponders and radio communications.

Should this fail some aircraft are equipped with on-board emergency Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS).

Southern Wings is built on a heritage of flight training since 1935. It is one of New Zealand’s original aviation colleges, operated by people who are passionate about flying and assisting others to become pilots.  The college operates a varied, well-maintained fleet suitable for all training purposes. The college’s main base is located at Invercargill Airport.  Southland represents the largest uncontrolled airspace in New Zealand, with Invercargill Airport providing experience with Air Traffic Control in controlled procedural airspace.   Our second base is located at Ardmore Airport in Auckland. Ardmore is New Zealand’s busiest aerodrome and is on the doorstep of North Island’s best attractions.

Southern Wings is accredited as a training provider with CAA Part 141 and also has certification in Air Transport Operations under CAA Part 135.

https://www.southernwings.co.nz/flying-through-clouds-why-are-they-so-dangerous/

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ALKALINE WATER PROS AND CONS - Alkaline drinking water has been one of the rising trends in health and fitness in recent years. Supporters state that regularly drinking water with higher pH levels can help cure numerous ailments. They have lauded the drink as a potential cure-all for issues ranging from poor hydration and bone loss to cancer and diabetes. As a result, many have jumped on the trend, resulting in a boom in alkaline water products hitting the market. Before you decide for yourself, it’s worth your time to learn more. We’ve compiled a summary of the research surrounding the water and listed alkaline drinking water’s pros and cons. Alkaline is another word for basic, which in chemistry refers to a substance’s pH level. The pH level measures how acidic or basic something is on a scale of 0 to 14, with lower numbers being more acidic and higher numbers being more basic or alkaline. Most drinking water has a pH of 7, which is considered neutral on the pH scale. Alkaline water is more basic, typically ranging from 8 to 10 on the pH scale. Wine and beer are somewhat acidic with an average pH of 4.0, while many household cleaners are typically more alkaline with a pH of 13 or more. This water also contains particles of alkaline minerals that further increase the pH. It also possesses negative oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) — water’s ability to act as a pro-oxidant or antioxidant. Negative ORP makes a substance more antioxidizing.

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Alkaline Water Pros and Cons

Multipure

 

 

Alkaline drinking water has been one of the rising trends in health and fitness in recent years. Supporters state that regularly drinking water with higher pH levels can help cure numerous ailments.

They have lauded the drink as a potential cure-all for issues ranging from poor hydration and bone loss to cancer and diabetes. As a result, many have jumped on the trend, resulting in a boom in alkaline water products hitting the market.

Is alkaline water really so powerful?

Does drinking high-pH water really do so much for your health?

Before you decide for yourself, it’s worth your time to learn more. We’ve compiled a summary of the research surrounding the water and listed alkaline drinking water’s pros and cons.

Alkaline is another word for basic, which in chemistry refers to a substance’s pH level. The pH level measures how acidic or basic something is on a scale of 0 to 14, with lower numbers being more acidic and higher numbers being more basic or alkaline.

Most drinking water has a pH of 7, which is considered neutral on the pH scale.

Alkaline water is more basic, typically ranging from 8 to 10 on the pH scale.

For comparison, wine and beer are somewhat acidic with an average pH of 4.0, while many household cleaners are typically more alkaline with a pH of 13 or more.

It’s more than a higher pH level that makes alkaline water more basic, however. This water also contains particles of alkaline minerals that further increase the pH.

It also possesses negative oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) — water’s ability to act as a pro-oxidant or antioxidant. Negative ORP makes a substance more antioxidizing.

Alkaline water is a controversial topic, primarily because the research doesn’t always match up with the claims.

Proponents of drinking alkaline water cite several health benefits, including, but not limited to:

·                     Colon-cleansing attributes

·                     Enhanced hydration

·                     Cancer protection

·                     Anti-aging properties

·                     Skin health

·                     General detoxification

·                     Immune system upkeep

·                     Weight loss

·                     Bone loss prevention

Many alkaline water promoters also point to the health benefits of green tea versus soft drinks.

Soft drinks are notorious for their adverse health effects, and alkaline water supporters point to their positive ORP as a cause.

Green tea, on the other hand, has a somewhat negative ORP and is associated with many health benefits. However, these claims are largely unsupported by science.

No scientific evidence completely verifies the claims made by alkaline water’s supporters.

While some research lends credence to some claims, most of the studies popularly cited by users and sellers were either paid for by alkaline water companies or are yet to be verified by peer review.

Additionally, much of the research on alkaline water has been animal-based, meaning the possible effects on humans are not yet supported by science. In short, there may not enough evidence out there yet.

Alkaline water is either natural or manufactured. Spring water that passes over rocks and picks up particles of alkaline minerals creates naturally alkaline water.

However, most people who drink alkaline water receive the manufactured version.

Electrolysis, a chemical process, produces manufactured alkaline water.

In this process, an ionizer uses electricity to separate acidic and alkaline molecules. It then separates out the acidic water.

However, the water is sometimes insufficiently purified before undergoing ionization, which can result in the water’s contamination with pathogens or toxins. 

Some scientists suggest manufacturers can adequately purify water before ionizing it using reverse osmosis or filtration.

The average consumer can find alkaline water in many grocery and health food stores as well as online.

Several brands specifically make alkaline water or carry it as part of their broader lineup.

Consumers can also make their own alkaline water at home, either by purchasing a water ionizer or by adding some lemon juice and baking soda to a glass.

While many of the claims about alkaline water are largely unsubstantiated, some are supported by current research.

Although most of these studies require further examination or peer review to verify, they do pose interesting questions about alkaline water’s benefits.

Below are some of the most supported alkaline drinking water pros:

·         Improved Hydration: Many studies suggest alkaline water can provide a better level of hydration than standard drinking water. A 2010 study in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition found that drinking alkaline water with a 10.0 pH level improved hydration status for skiers over those who drank regular water. Another study published in 2016, which analyzed the effects of drinking alkaline water after exercise-induced dehydration, found drinking high pH water improved blood viscosity significantly. Further, a study published in Biology of Sport in 2017 found that athletes hydrated with alkaline, low-mineralized water experienced better hydration status and more efficient lactate utilization following high-intensity interval exercise compared to those who drank regular water.

·         Antioxidative Properties: Alkaline water has negative ORP levels, making it an antioxidant. Thus, alkaline water works well against free radicals, which are oxidizing agents that can negatively affect long-term health.

·         Soothes Acid Reflux: Alkaline water consumption can help reduce acid reflux, commonly known as heartburn. Artesian-well alkaline water with an 8.8 pH could help deactivate pepsin — an enzyme that contributes to acid reflux. According to a 2018 study, drinking alkaline water and adopting a plant-based diet can also work as well as medications to reduce laryngopharyngeal reflux symptoms — a severe form of acid reflux in which stomach acid travels all the way up to the throat.

·         Prevents Bone Loss: Alkaline water could help decelerate bone loss, according to some studies. However, this research is small in scale and requires further investigation. Peer reviews are necessary to verify the results, and further research is required to determine whether alkaline water can influence bone mineral’s overall density and if the body maintains this benefit long-term.

·         Diabetes Management: Drinking alkaline water cannot permanently change body pH. However, some studies suggest potential benefits for particular body metrics. One 2001 study out of China, for example, suggested drinking alkaline ionized water could decrease blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood lipid levels. Thus, the water could potentially help individuals manage conditions like hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia.

All of these studies, while promising, require significant further study to substantiate and determine whether alkaline water or another source caused these results.

Although alkaline drinking water is generally considered safe to drink, it still poses significant cons. Below are some of the most notable problems and side effects:

·         Decreased Stomach Acidity: Stomach acid helps regulate the pH of substances that enter the body, preventing highly basic or highly acidic substances from affecting the body. Excessive alkaline water intake can temporarily reduce natural stomach acidity. Widespread problems can result, including disease and gastrointestinal distress. In extreme cases, excessive alkalinity may cause metabolic alkalosis, which can cause symptoms including nausea, vomiting, tremors, numbness and confusion. Fortunately, this condition is more often caused by an underactive parathyroid gland rather than one’s diet. In most cases, the stomach’s pH level will return to somewhere between 1.5 and 3.5 rapidly, and the water’s effects will be temporary.

·         Blood pH: Like stomach acid, the human body regulates blood pH effectively, keeping it around 7.35. Since alkaline water will not affect your blood pH level, many claims of how alkaline water will “even out” the body’s acidity are unfounded.

·         Mineral Deficiencies: Most of the problems with alkaline water pertain to the lack of supporting evidence surrounding it. However, consumers should consider one major health concern when drinking this water. Artificial alkaline water often contains fewer beneficial minerals than advertised, and drinking too much of it may leave drinkers deficient in minerals. Additionally, many manufacturers don’t decontaminate the water to the same level they would regular drinking water, which can leave pathogenic contaminants behind.

·         Cost: Alkaline water is expensive compared to most drinking water. Bottles are typically more expensive at the grocery store due to the extra processing that goes into each bottle. Home ionizers are also expensive, making it a cost-inefficient option for most people. Considering the largely marginal health benefits, most non-athletes do not find the cost worth it.

Outside of these issues, little evidence suggests any real detriments to drinking alkaline water.

While one study stated rat pups given alkaline water showed impaired growth and cardiac muscle damage, this animal study doesn’t necessarily replicate results seen in human trials.

Alkaline water’s primary issue is the sheer lack of proof for many claims.

Any natural remedy needs evidence to show it works, and this proof simply doesn’t exist for most claims made by alkaline water supporters.

Most troubling of these is the claim that alkaline water can treat or prevent cancer, which has no basis in any scientific study.

Alkaline water is a promising natural remedy for some specific ailments, but it’s not the cure-all some companies would have you believe.

The most important thing is that your water is clean. Whether or not you use an alkaline system, Multipure can offer you a better water filtration and purification system.

If you are among the 13 million households in the United States that use private wells for their drinking water, you know how important water safety is.

Since the EPA does not regulate private wells or provide reports for the standards of your well, you’re responsible for your water’s safety. Part of this responsibility involves testing for pH levels, which you should perform at least once a year.

If your home water is naturally alkaline and falls within a pH range of 8 to 9, you don’t need to worry about altering your water unless you want to.

Naturally basic water that falls within certain parameters is largely harmless. Your most important considerations are whether your water contains contaminants, and whether it contains sufficient minerals for your health.

You can resolve most of these issues with a high-quality filtration system.

Particularly high pH water, called hard water, can lead to mineral build-up in your water pipes. This build-up can negatively impact the quality of your laundry and lead to soap scum buildup.

However, the most problematic issue is that it can contribute to bacterial growth. In these cases, you need a high-quality filtration system to minimize the negative effects and prevent pathogens from contaminating your drinking water.

If you need a high-quality filtration system for your home water, turn to Multipure.

Multipure is the premier manufacturer of high-quality drinking water systems, filters, and purifiers for homes across the United States.

We provide a variety of water purification devices designed to promote better water, health, and overall well-being.

For almost 50 years, we’ve completed extensive research to develop and manufacture some of the best drinking water treatment devices in the industry. Our innovative water filtration technology uses carbon-based water filtration to deliver numerous benefits, including:

·         Greater chemical adsorption and mechanical filtration covering a broad spectrum of contaminants

·         Longer water contact time to adsorb problematic pesticides, herbicides, pathogens, and heavy metals

·         Better protection against clogging due to pre-filtration that remove large particles

Multipure also provides various home essentials that modify water for specific areas of your home — for example, filtration systems specifically designed for your shower, bath, and yard. Our products also include emergency water filtration systems that can deliver clean water when municipal water is not available. We even have portable water bottles so you can filter your water on the go.

If you’re interested in improving the water quality in your home, you can trust Multipure and our extensive product line to achieve the results you want. Contact Multipure today to answer your questions about how to improve water quality in your home.

Since 1970, Multipure has been guided by brothers and founders, H. Allen Rice and Alvin E. Rice, to provide cleaner, more healthful drinking water to the public. In 1974, they developed their signature technology, the solid carbon block filter; since then, the company has further grown and flourished, manufacturing and selling filters and drinking water systems for residential and commercial use around the world. As the original manufacturer of the solid carbon block filter, Multipure uses its network of Independent Builders to establish its products and opportunity throughout the United States, Canada, and the US Territories. Multipure's success has been built upon its values of family, integrity, and innovation; its establishment and growth can be traced to its belief in the strength of family and the promotion of the health and success of families everywhere.

Multipure is a company that believes in improving quality of life, whether by providing products to make people healthier, or by providing the opportunity for financial success. Multipure believes in family, and in work that complements home and family life.

Multipure believes that everyone should have affordable access to high quality drinking water - water that is clean, delicious, and healthful; water that is free of contaminants that could negatively affect its taste, its appearance, and its healthfulness; water that is perfect for families, children, and pets.

Multipure is not just the industry leader and provider of the best drinking water systems in the world. Multipure believes in providing the tools for people to create their own success, to achieve their dreams, and to help others discover their opportunity. Through the Multipure Business Opportunity, Multipure wants to help people achieve not just success, but personal growth and development, to help them gain self-awareness and self-confidence, and help them discover and utilize their inner potential.

Multipure wants to improve the world, one glass of water at a time, one person at a time.

https://www.multipure.com/purely-social/science/alkaline-water-pros-and-cons/