Is Elmos FIRE DANGEROUS for planes? EXPLAINED by CAPTAIN JOE
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In today’s video we’ll be talking about …
St. Elmo's Fire is a natural phenomenon that occurs during thunderstorms, usually near the tops of tall pointed objects such as masts, spires, and chimneys. It is a luminous plasma discharge that appears as a bluish or purplish glow in the air.
The phenomenon is caused by a buildup of electric charge in the atmosphere during a thunderstorm. As the electric field around an object becomes strong enough, it can ionize the air molecules, stripping them of their electrons and creating a plasma. The plasma then emits light as it recombines with the electrons.
The name "St. Elmo's Fire" comes from a Christian saint, St. Erasmus of Formia, also known as St. Elmo. He was the patron saint of sailors and is said to have been associated with the phenomenon, which was often seen by sailors as they navigated stormy seas.
St. Elmo's Fire can be a beautiful and awe-inspiring sight, but it can also be dangerous. The electric field that causes the phenomenon can be strong enough to cause electrical shocks or even start fires. It is important to take precautions during thunderstorms and avoid being near tall, pointed objects during these times.
Wishing you all the best!
Joe
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Glad to see a long(er) video than those youtube shorts. Joe, please keep the knowledge flowing. Love your videos.
More to come!
My late father experienced this while approaching San Diego Lindbergh back in 1964. He was a passenger on a four engine turboprop. He described it as a bright flash with an accompanying loud and quick humming sound. They were descending through a cloud layer at the time. Dad knew what it was. Most passengers did not. The flight attendants did not know what had happened and were quite concerned. Dad summoned a flight attendant and explained what had happened. After several minutes the plane captain came on the PA and explained what had happened. The plane landed at San Diego Lindbergh without any obvious difficulty and Dad had quite a story to tell.
Story time with St. Elmo's Fire... I had just started my maintenance career wit Frontier Airlines in 2001. At that time, they were flying 737-300's. That summer, my wife (ex now due to AIDS, Aviation Induced Divorce Syndrom) and her mother wanted to go to a "The Price is Right" show taping, so we went. They went to the show, I took the rental car and my 5 month old daughter and toured the Malibu area. I had to leave a early to get back to DEN for work. Since I was traveling by myself and we mechanics were allowed to ride jump seat, I asked the Captain if I could ride up front. I remember him saying " There's only 80 PAX onboard, you could have a whole row to yourself. I told him this was my first time flying without the fam and I'd like to experience it...He said no problem... There was an MEL on one of the packs and it restricted our altitude to FL270 Max. We took off in the evening out of LAX westward over the Pacific, that was beautiful. We then turned east heading to DEN. Later in the flight when it was dark, we flew right over the LAS strip. Remember, we were only @ FL260. It was amazing to see from the flight deck with that 180 degree view. The Wx Radar was lit up with many red blotches on the screen and you could see the lightning flashing in the thunderheads in the distance. We had to play dodge ball with the cells. I remember sitting there watching the lightning and the we were in the clouds. The F/O loudly stated " Check this shit out!!!" He reached over and turned down all the instrument lighting and proceeded to put his hand up against the windshield and started to slide his hand across it... It started to glow...a blue purple pinkish glow following his hand... The F/O then asked me if I'd like to try. I said "Hell yeah!!! I didn't know I could unbuckle a five point seat belt harness that fast. I did the same thing with my hand on the windshield... Simply AMAZING!!! I asked him how he knew the plane was ready to show this phenomenon. He said you can tell when it's ready when you start to see little finger like arcs of lightning branching off the windshield wiper nut / stud into the air around it. After we went through all the weather, we were starting our decent into DEN. As we got closer, you could see the light pollution come over the front range mountains. Obviously an experience (one of many over my career) I will never forget. From that point on, family with me or not, if I had a chance to ride up front, I DID!!!
@flywithcaptainjoe There is bots in your comments that pretend to be you😢
I experienced it on a CRJ-900, there was a neon purple/blue cone of flight protruding from the metal center of my windshield wiper blade with occasional webs of lighting across the windshield.
I saw St. Elmo's fire several times during my 40 year aviation career. Every time we saw it, I'd invite the flight attendants to come to the flight deck to see it - one at a time. I'd swipe my hand across the windscreen, then invite them to do like wise. I never did get a flight attendant to try it. Early in my career, I flew with old-timer captains who had flown the old piston-powered airliners. One of them spoke of "ball lightning". He described a blue ball a few inches in diameter that would float around the flight deck or cabin for several seconds, then disappear. Nature is awesome.
Thank you Joe! BTW, I think the word is phenomenon. (:
So there I was, must have been 2000 or 01, standing the 2000-2400 bridge watch on an oil tanker heading north along the Pacific coast of Central America, we had cleared the Panama Canal earlier that day. We were sailing through an area of intense thunderstorms. Suddenly my watch partner and I had looked at each other, we both had the same electrical feeling at the same time. Looking to starboard, the entire starboard bridge wing was lit up purple! We went over to that side, and sitting just above a VHF antenna on the bridge wing was a ball of purple light!
You forgot to mention another incident of St. Elmo's fire, when aircraft fly through volcano ash, but this is more dangerous because it can damage the windows and shut down the engines.
I think he did one on the Eyajafallaljalllaljalokull (sp) volcano in Iceland which exploded in the mid 2010s explaining it, no?
The most famous example of that of course being British Airways Flight 9. "Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We have a small problem. All four engines have stopped. We are doing our damnedest to get them going again. I trust you are not in too much distress."
Great content. I am not a pilot, nor aspiring to be one🎉. But since I was introduced to your channel by my son, I have never looked back. I appreciate the Physics, History, and everything else you share.❤
And another great lesson, easy for any aviation enthusiast, by Captain Joe!! Thank you Joe! Top!
Just to note: that clip at 1:00 (and again at 4:15 ) has got extra effects on that video and isn't actually what St Elmo's Fire looks like on a wingtip. 👍😎🇦🇺
Saw it a few times flying, had no idea it can be detrimental to the aircraft, I just enjoyed the view 😅
Thank you for another very nice video Joe! Interesting and informative content as usual delivered in a very "easy to grasp" manner. Great job!
I love your blogs captain Jo it’s so interesting! I was one of the Employee of one of the biggest Airlines here in the states. And when I walk around before I push the Plane I’ll make sure everythings okey, and I learn a lot from you Captain Joe, it’s my 24th years in the airline industry so keep up the good work Captain and take care❤🇺🇸
Thanks Captain
I also heard that ozone can be produced during a St. Elmos fire event, which can lead to a characteristic smell in the cockpit.
Saw this on my way to Scotland! Beautiful phenomenon
That recent "And on that bombshell" reminds me of a 🇬🇧 British motoring show. 😅 "In tonight's video, an aircraft wears an electric glow; the volcanic ash stays silent; the electricity poses risks for the aircraft; and all we know is, he's called Joe." A great video as always. I have been watching your videos since the first video. 👍🏻 -Antti 🇫🇮
I’ve been watching your videos forever! You are THE MOST thorough and meticulous, knowledgeable pilot I’ve ever heard on KZhead. You know EVERY little thing about flying AND your plane, as all pilots must. I’m waiting for your company to give you your fourth stripe. In my opinion, they don’t appreciate you enough. You are a captain to me!💯
Very informative video even for a pilot!
Thank you Captain Joe! I learned something, and won't panic. Thanks again!
You can't deny that St. Elmo's Fire by John is a bad ass song.
I experienced this a couple months ago flying into Orlando. It was very distracting but pretty cool. Great video, Joe.
That was very interesting, thank you!
Very much enjoyed this video. And I personally would not want to lower the shade during such an event. It would be very cool to see
Excelent explanation , interesting, Wells done.
Nice video!!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 I had an experience like that when I was flying the Embraer Xingu II in Brazil. It was fantastic!
Saw this for the first time on approach the other day. Was a beautiful sight!
TUS PADRES Y TUS SERES AMADOS,DEBEN ESTAR MUY ORGULLOSOS DE TI . TRANSMITES TANTA DULZURA, SIMPATÍA Y CONOCIMIENTO. ABRAZOS DESDE ESPAÑA.
Great job Cap! Yeah that songs a classic isn't it?
It looks pretty awesome, one of my friends saw it once while they were flying to Australia for a a holiday.
Thank you for sharing.
"phenomenonal" explanation, Joe.
Cud u make a video on how an airplane starts!!
Love your video's Joe!
Thank you!
Thank you Cpt Joe :D (I know you're not official (yet!) but you are a Captain in my books!) I love your vids, I fly frequently to go see my family! I enjoy sitting right behind the wing in window seat so I can watch what you teach in action... the flaps, the ailerons, the landing gear... I didn't even know about slats until you taught me :P i love watching your vids in the days leading up to a longer flight. or any flight. It comforts me to see that things are working as normal! And I know now, for lots of issues, what to look for in the 1/11,000,000 chance that the plane I'm in gets into trouble lol
Thanks CP Joe for your inspiration😊 Vid idea: Can you plz give us a B747 Cockpit tour💪😅
Great video capt ,remember the video about the British flight that was caught in St Elmo’s fire when it flew thru volcanic ash,safe flying from ballarat in Oz,👏👏🙏🙏👍🇦🇺
I'd love to see this on the flight 😍
Im a big fan of your book
Other thing to consider is that st elmos fire occurs near or in Thunderstorm clouds... So when it illuminates be ready for a bumpy ride..
First time I heard of this was because of Speedbird 009 on Air Crash Investigation. Now I know why it happens!
I just watched that video last night. I was going to Google it...then this video popped up! 😊✈⚡
Love this video Captain Joe, what
Something like a phenomenon
Thanks to Elmo from Sesame Street I always remember the name of this fascinating phenomena. I wish to see it in person. I witnessed a fiew lightning strikes and turbulence that made everything and everyone who was not strapped in to fly to the ceiling, but not this. Can't wait. As you might have guessed I'm the opposite of a nervous flyer. I love aviation and if life rolled in a different for me I wish I was a pilot. Little too late now, cause Im 42, but at least in europe we can find international flights that are cheaper than the Ryde to the airport, so I fly whenever I can.
Cool phenomenon.
Tee hee - phe non emom, phemonenom, phemomemom, phenonenon.
thank you
Captain Joe is your book available in Bombay. I am crazy about aviation. Thank you for providing so much knowledge in your videos. God bless you n your family.
I actually just watched your Follow Me car video and could not believe that in my little Piper Cherokee a follow me car was for me at San Jose International - I assumed it was just driving away for a big plane but it was for me in my little squirt of an airplane, real trippy considering I watched your video maybe yesterday and how you said there were few in the USA yet I just got one and couldn't believe it so assumed it wasn't for me til marshals pointed me to him >
I saw it flying into Vancouver on the Q400. Went all the way across the windshield
Wow Fascinating👍👍👍🛩🛩🛩🛩
I suffer from static electricity. I've even (on more than one occasion) got a shock from a wooden table! Maybe I shouldn't fly... Great vid, Captain! Very interesting :)
I am immediately reminded of British Airlines flight 9, who suffered a multiple engine failure, after flying through a cloud of an active volcano. Everyone made it out alive
I believe a similar event happened with British Airways Flight 009 when the crew unknowingly flew through a debris cloud from an erupting volcano.
Hi Joe, ty so much for this channel. As I have fear of height since birth, I am always terrified of flying. Now am able to fly with xanax but your videos, understanding the technical details underneath calms me a lot. I really appreciate it!
Phenonemom
I was wondering when you were going to mention St Elmos. I've experienced it several times. In the cabin it's freaky. Your hair stands up on you arm and head. It sort of went whooshing through the cabin fore to aft. Since it's over before you realize what's happened, NBD. Lightening strikes too, the controls flutter. These occurred transatlantic on a 747.
Love this video Captain Joe, what is the difference between st elmos fire and Lightning
The plasma globe looking arcing is just static discharge, the blue/purple glow is St. Elmos fire. Static discharge is common while St. Elmos fire is more rare.
Absolutely it's a strong indication of ice crystal icing
Yes it can ; British Airways-flight 9
Hey captain I look you as my future version Love from India
Phenonemon? Phenomenon! 😅
Hardly ever see lightning in my area of Southern California. Wish we did, It’s a really big deal for me. We did when I was growing up in Michigan when I was a kid was terrified of thunder, should have been more worried about lightening. Of course St Erasmus had nothing to do with getting them home safely, just ask a meteorologist. Don’t wear metal on your body in a lightening storm when on a ship, stay below deck if at all possible. I love watching it, but I do try to stay away from windows. I doubt apartment buildings have lightening rods like my dad did on our house.
Cap, can u make vlogs ??pls 😊
The Elmos fire happened in BA Flight 009
Hi Joe....I have a question please answer. Compared to Commercial plane, the shape of the Wing of the fighter aircraft is flat, it doesn't look like 'airfoil', even with the extended flaps....it doesn't look like 'airfoil'. Is this due to the size difference? Smaller fighter jet and bigger commercial one, ? Please make a video on this...... thank you 😊
Love your videos, Captain Joe! However: «phenonemon»?
Endlich mal kein short
Joe the fact that you said “phenonemon” instead of “phenomenon” made my day
Captain Joe, are engine planes interchangable? Say on a A330, can the engine on the left be put to the right? Or each engine is made for a specific side?
First!, fantastic topic!
🚨warning everyone this is a scammer do not text him on telegram🚨
Hi Joe
I'd be the one looking out my window thrilled to experience a rare phenomenon, my wife would nervously closing the shade -- if she could bring herself to get that close to it!
British Airways flight 009 on a B747-200 encountered a phenomenon in 1982 similar to St Elmo's fire when the crew flew through volcanic ash . P.S-Captain Joe has trouble pronouncing two words- Cumulonimbus and Phenomenon😊
I though I was hearing things myself!
Just a question: Air France Concorde or British Airways Concorde ?
Hey, Cap Made a video on qnh qfe qne
what about the variant known as "speedbird fire"?
so does that make BA 9's volcanic ash not count as st elmo's fire after all?
Speedbird 009: Ah yes, that thing when we lost all engines near Jakarta👌🏻
St. Elmo's Fire is a bad thing to see when flying near active or potentially active volcanoes. Ask BA 009's Captain Moody about that one.
Can you explain how double dispatching works? How can a plane can be dispatched a second time while it’s airborne?
This inspires me to stick to my career choice
Now we finally know why the St. Elmo´s Fire is called St. Elmo´s Fire!🙃 Thank you very much!👍
Is this also the reason why a grounding cable is connected from the fuel truck to the airplane just before fuel operations?
To some extent, yes. St Elmo's fire is because of charging of an airborne aircraft for any reason (flying through area of strong electrostatic field or friction or particles). On ground, the reason for charge buildup is only friction during movement of an aircraft, of the fuel truck, or of the fuel hose during installing it in the fuel inlet. I would not associate it with strong electric field, it is not observed on ground in normal conditions. It may occur only just before thunderstorm, but in such a case, due to high risk of lightning, refuelling of aircrafts should be prohibited.
….just a little comment, to state according to my knowledge, that static wicks are here to dissipate the so called « P-static » or precipitation accumulated static (detrimental to most of radio-navigation instrumentation - i.e. ADFs & VORs), which is a part of overall static charges accumulated by a plane flying through the atmosphere….
If someone is sensitive to thunderstorms, can it affect them the same way?
Hey Joe once had a CB citizen band radio it was an AM CB that was illegal and 200 watt amplifier where i live did not use it often was listing one night could hear people talking in the USA on a CB though i could give them a call switched on my 200 watt amplifies to let warm up yes it was an old valve one started to modulate one of my brothers came in to the house he said that areal has a blue light and lighting was flashing on it was not long turning it off when he said that sole all after that. Hey did email you did not know how to DM you
Hey Joe can not sigh into telegram without a mobile - cell phone don't have one there is no signal here anyone that come here has to walk a mile up a hill to get a signal if they want to make a call
Phenonemon 😂
one morning, when I woke up from sleep, I felt like a small electric explosion on the blanket that covered my body. When I observed, I could see blue electricity when my finger approached the blanket. Is it also categorized as st elmo fire?
ruder is genau die gleiche schreibweise in aeronautik und aquanautik ...viele gemeinsamkeiten nur die zulassungsvoraussetzungen sind wasser zu luftfahrzeugen unterschiedlich
Do 747's bounce?
I just rewatched the movie St. Elmo’s Fire two days ago… what are the odds? 🤯🙃
Hey Joe, repeat after me: FE NO ME NON. :) cheers!
Hello Joe! Do you fly to SEA often?
I’ve been, and have it on my schedule in April
@@flywithcaptainjoe exiting! Can’t wait to see you here!
is the 747 the only plane you fly?
Hi
Isn't an airplain a Faraday cage? Is the cover made of too much plastic nowadays?
Wonder if this phenomenon would affect a person with a pacemaker
If I happen to fly into the Twilight Zone at least I want to see it. Definitely not gonna close the shades. :D