Solar flares

[Aimpoint]

Huge solar flare warning - science | Stuff.co.nz (http://www.stuff.co.nz/science/6543062/Largest-solar-flare-in-five-years-races-toward-Earth)

The usual 'news' websites talk about doom and gloom for GPS and nav equipment, but has anyone here ever really been affected by such solar flares?

Is the "big one" in 2013 really going to be a problem for us?

[ChaseIt]

Yep its a major pain in the ass if your planning to fly the milk run RPT and the solar flare buggers up the HF... To the pub it is!!! :ok:

[le Pingouin]

At the less extreme end it can induce currents in satellite electronics so these are often powered down as much as possible to minimise the damage.

At the more extreme end it has induced significant currents in telegraph cables - enough to start fires and throw sparks. That was in 1859. Imagine the damage a similar event would cause today.....

[Deaf]

Next Carrington Event:

Solar storm of 1859 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrington_event)

Assume your magnetos will work and nothing else, no GPS, runway lights, anything electrical. That includes civilisation so just stay up there.

[Ex FSO GRIFFO]

Hi Aimpoint,

I was flying out of Port Hedland, late 1970, and we had a 'big solar event' in that the HF was useless, and it meant relaying via VHF, thru the nearest 'high flyer' in this case the 'local' FK28, and when that was about to 'run out', nominating a SARTIME for the 'arrival' back in VHF range.

So apart from the minor inconvenience, it was, carry on with the 'mail run' as it was at the time, and then 'climb as high as was practicable, and use the VHF' on the way home.

NO GPS in those days - in the 'trusty 206'....
And never had to use the 'Navaids'
- 'ADF x 1 - troops for the use of'.....
Can't remember if that worked at the time.....didn't need it...knew where we were / were going....

Cheers:ok:

[Ex FSO GRIFFO]

The Solar Storm report - today's news....

Solar storm a backhand slap to our face | Perth Now (http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/solar-storm-a-backhand-slap-to-our-face/story-e6frg12c-1226295654323)

Cheers:ok:

[aileron_69]

I love it, gives me a day off work cos it mucks up the magnetometer and we cant survey.

[Ex FSO GRIFFO]

I trust then that you don't get paid 'by the hour'..??

Cheers:=:ok:

[aileron_69]

Loving the day rate!!