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Answer :
Hi Breanna,
Weather affects airplanes in just about every way possible. Wind, rain, snow and ice can affects how an airplane may fly. For instance, if it's too windy or gusty, it can be difficult to control the airplane when taking off or landing. Even when cruising along.
Wind can be helpful, too. A steady breeze up the slope of a hill or mountain can give a glider pilot a "free ride" on the smooth wave of air that flows up the hill. Glider pilots call this "ridge soaring."
Rain and snow can make it hard to see. Technology has been developed over the years that allow a pilot to follow radio signals or use signals from a satellite to navigate to an airport. Really hard rain can also make an engine run roughly and heavy snow or rain can make it difficult to maneuver an airplane on the ground, just as it's hard to drive a car.
Ice can cause an airplane's wings to loose the ability to create lift, so airliners and many other airplanes have devices installed which can remove ice from the front of the wings and tail while the airplane is flying.
Great weather also affects flying - a bright clear day with just a few clouds is a wonderful experience. When you're flying on a day like that, it seems like you can see forever, and you nearly can; from a few thousand feet above the ground, the horizon is nearly 60 miles away!
Thanks for your question,
HG Frautschy
EAA Vintage Airplane
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