Flying during a solar eclipse is one of the most extraordinary experiences available to a general aviation pilot. Viewing totality from altitude — above the clouds and above the noise — gives pilots a perspective that no ground observer can match. The experience is not just visually stunning. It carries real operational implications that every pilot must understand before climbing into the path of totality. Whether you are planning your first eclipse flight or simply want to know what to expect, this guide covers everything. At E3 Aviation Association, we believe great pilots prepare for every phase of flight — including celestial events. Here is your complete guide to flying during a solar eclipse.
What Happens During a Solar Eclipse From the Air?
First, the experience of flying during a solar eclipse is fundamentally different from watching one from the ground. At altitude you are above much of the atmospheric haze that dims the eclipse view from the surface. You can position yourself in the centerline of the path of totality for maximum duration. Pilots who plan their eclipse flights well can extend their time in totality beyond what any ground observer experiences.
The approach of the moon’s shadow from altitude is visible well before totality. The shadow moves across the landscape at roughly 1,500 miles per hour during a total eclipse. From 8,000 to 12,000 feet, pilots can see this shadow racing toward them across the terrain — a sight that is simply not visible from the ground. The horizon darkens in a 360-degree ring as totality approaches, creating an effect unlike any sunset or storm. As a result, the minutes leading up to totality are as memorable as totality itself.
During totality, the corona of the sun becomes visible — something normally impossible to see with the naked eye. The corona extends millions of miles into space and appears as a pearlescent halo around the darkened disc of the moon. Pilots who have experienced this describe it as one of the most profound moments of their lives. Stars and planets become visible in the darkened sky around the sun. For example, during the April 2024 eclipse, pilots reported seeing Venus and Jupiter clearly from the cockpit during totality.
Recent Total Solar Eclipses and What Pilots Experienced
The April 8, 2024 Total Solar Eclipse
Second, the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse was one of the most significant in recent North American history. The path of totality ran from southern Texas through the Ohio Valley, upstate New York, and into New England and eastern Canada. Totality lasted up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds along the centerline — the longest duration possible for a total eclipse in North America in decades. Pilots across the region planned eclipse flights months in advance. Many GA pilots positioned their aircraft along the centerline to maximize their time in totality.
The 2024 eclipse produced one of the largest aviation traffic surges in recent GA history. Airports within the path of totality saw unprecedented fuel demand and ramp congestion in the days before the eclipse. The FAA issued extensive eclipse-specific NOTAMs and airspace guidance ahead of the event. As a result, pilots who failed to plan early faced sold-out fuel, full ramps, and significant airspace complexity on eclipse day.
The August 21, 2017 “Great American Eclipse”
Third, the 2017 eclipse — dubbed the “Great American Eclipse” — provided the GA community with its first major eclipse flight experience in the modern era. The path of totality ran from Oregon to South Carolina across the continental United States. The FAA coordinated unprecedented airspace management for the event. Pilots who flew the 2017 eclipse provided a roadmap of best practices that the aviation community used to plan the 2024 event. In fact, many of the AOPA and FAA guidelines for eclipse flying were refined directly from lessons learned in 2017.
We’ll be straight with you: the TFR situation around major eclipse corridors can be chaotic. During the 2024 eclipse, airspace management was aggressive in several high-density areas. If you’re flying specifically to view the eclipse, file your flight plan early, check for pop-up TFRs, and have an alternate plan if the eclipse corridor gets crowded or closed.
Safety Considerations for Flying During a Solar Eclipse
Eye Safety at Altitude: What Changes When the Sun Disappears Mid-Flight
First, eye protection is the most critical safety consideration for eclipse flights. Looking directly at the sun during the partial phases — before and after totality — is as dangerous as looking at the sun on any other day. Standard sunglasses provide no protection against solar radiation damage. Pilots must use certified ISO 12312-2 eclipse glasses for any viewing outside the aircraft. During totality only — when the sun is completely blocked — is it safe to view the eclipse with unprotected eyes. As a result, pilots must be disciplined about when they remove and replace eclipse glasses.
The pilot’s primary responsibility is flying the aircraft. Viewing the eclipse cannot come at the expense of aircraft control, traffic scanning, or instrument monitoring. The temptation to look at the eclipse is strong — particularly during the dramatic approach to totality. Establishing a clear crew protocol for who watches the eclipse and who flies the aircraft is essential in a multi-pilot cockpit. In fact, many pilots find a brief written plan for the totality window — 2 to 4 minutes long — prevents impulsive decisions that compromise safety.
Spatial Disorientation: The Eclipse Effect Pilots Underestimate
Second, spatial disorientation is a real hazard during totality. The sudden transition from daylight to eclipse darkness can disorient pilots who are not instrument current. The horizon becomes difficult to distinguish in the low-light conditions of totality. Instrument-rated pilots in IMC-capable aircraft have a significant safety advantage during eclipse flights. Even VFR pilots should maintain an active instrument scan throughout the totality window. Above all, maintaining aircraft control takes priority over the view — every time. For a complete guide to managing disorientation risks, read our article on mastering situational awareness in aviation.
Airspace and ATC Considerations
Flying during a solar eclipse creates significant airspace complexity. The FAA routinely issues eclipse-specific NOTAMs that pilots must review before every eclipse flight. Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) may appear over major viewing events and public gatherings along the eclipse path. Thorough preflight NOTAM review is not optional — it is essential for any eclipse flight.
ATC facilities along the path of totality experience dramatically increased workload on eclipse day. Traffic volume in the eclipse corridor can triple or quadruple normal levels. Frequency congestion becomes a real factor as thousands of pilots coordinate eclipse positions simultaneously. Crisp, professional radio communication is especially important. For a refresher on communicating with ATC in high-workload situations, read our guide on how to talk to ATC as a GA pilot.
Filing an IFR flight plan on eclipse day provides several advantages. IFR pilots get altitude assignments that separate them from the swarms of VFR aircraft chasing totality. Radar contact gives both the pilot and ATC a shared picture of traffic separation. Many experienced eclipse pilots recommend filing IFR for eclipse flights even if VFR conditions prevail. Establishing your eclipse position well before totality — rather than maneuvering for position in the final minutes — reduces congestion and ATC workload for everyone. For a complete risk management framework, read our guide on GA safety fundamentals.
How to Plan the Perfect Eclipse Flight
Step 1 — Position on the Centerline
First, plan to be on the centerline of the path of totality for maximum duration. The centerline offers the longest totality window — potentially 4 minutes or more during favorable eclipses. Each mile off centerline reduces your totality duration. Precision in your eclipse position pays off in the most memorable moments of the flight. NASA and the American Astronomical Society publish detailed eclipse path data that pilots can use for flight planning.
Step 2 — Altitude: Where You Are in the Sky Determines What You See
Second, altitude matters for both the view and weather avoidance. Higher altitude — 10,000 to 15,000 feet — gives pilots a broader view of the approaching shadow and the 360-degree horizon darkening. Flying above any cloud layers is critical. Instrument-rated pilots who can climb above a cloud deck have a significant advantage over VFR-only pilots on a cloudy eclipse day. Plan your oxygen requirements if flying above 12,500 feet for extended periods under FAR 91.211.
Step 3 — Arrive Early and Brief the Totality Window
Third, position yourself well before the eclipse begins. The partial phases leading up to totality take roughly 60 to 90 minutes. Arriving late and maneuvering for position in the final minutes creates hazards and ATC headaches. Plan to be established in cruise at your eclipse altitude at least 30 minutes before first contact. Brief your totality window in detail — who is watching, who is flying, when eclipse glasses go on and come off, and what altitude and heading you will maintain. As a result, the totality window becomes a planned event rather than a scramble.
Aerial Photography During a Solar Eclipse
For photographers, flying during a solar eclipse offers a perspective that no ground-based setup can match. You gain access to altitude, angle, and mobility that fixed tripods simply cannot provide. Some of the most striking eclipse photography in recent years has come from aircraft cockpits and cabin windows.
First, equipment preparation is critical. Solar filters rated ISO 12312-2 must cover your lens during partial phases. These filters must never be removed while the sun is even partially visible. During totality only — when the corona is fully exposed — you can shoot filter-free. That said, totality lasts at most a few minutes, so pre-focus and pre-set your exposure before the moment arrives.
Camera settings for corona photography typically fall around ISO 400, f/8, and 1/250 second as a starting point. However, the corona varies in brightness from edge to center. Bracket your exposures aggressively — shoot a burst at multiple shutter speeds to capture both the inner and outer corona detail. As a result, you’ll have options to blend in post-processing.
Smartphone cameras have improved dramatically. Modern flagship phones shoot excellent eclipse photos when paired with a proper solar filter attachment. For instance, the April 2024 eclipse produced stunning cockpit images shot on iPhones by pilots flying the centerline. You don’t need professional gear to capture a memorable moment — but you do need a filter.
Above all, never let photography distract from flying the aircraft. Designate a passenger as photographer if possible. If you’re PIC and flying solo, keep camera work to pre-planned moments — not improvised scrambles during a safety-critical phase of flight.
Future Solar Eclipse Opportunities for Pilots
The 2024 eclipse may be behind us, but future opportunities are already on the calendar. North America will see its next total solar eclipse on August 23, 2044. That eclipse will cross Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota before moving into Canada. Pilots in the northern plains states will have an excellent regional opportunity.
An annular solar eclipse will cross parts of the western United States and Canada on June 21, 2039. Partial eclipses occur more frequently — several will be visible across North America over the next decade. Pilots interested in eclipse flying have multiple chances ahead.
Planning 18 years out may seem excessive. However, the best eclipse flights require months of preparation. Centerline positioning, NOTAM awareness, and coordination with ATC all take time to arrange properly. As a result, early planning is never wasted.
International eclipses offer opportunities for the truly dedicated pilot. For example, total solar eclipses will cross Spain and Portugal in August 2026 and Egypt in August 2027. The August 2027 eclipse will be one of the longest in recent decades — totality lasting over 6 minutes in some locations. That event is already generating significant planning activity in the aviation photography community.
Ultimately, solar eclipses are rare and fleeting. Any given location on Earth experiences totality only once every 375 years on average. Every eclipse is worth planning for — and GA pilots have a unique advantage in chasing them across the sky.
Our take: Flying during a total solar eclipse is one of the most unusual aviation experiences you can have. The light transition is faster than sunrise or sunset, the temperature drop is abrupt, and wildlife reacts in ways that can surprise you if you’re flying near ground level. The pilots who plan properly come away with something they’ll talk about for years.
Frequently Asked Questions About Flying During a Solar Eclipse
Is it safe to fly during a solar eclipse?
Yes — flying during a solar eclipse is safe when pilots follow standard precautions. The primary risks are eye injury from looking directly at the sun during partial phases and potential spatial disorientation as light levels drop rapidly. Never look at the sun without certified solar filters, brief your passengers thoroughly, and stay instrument-current to handle sudden low-light conditions.
Do TFRs apply during solar eclipses?
Not automatically — however, TFRs are common around major viewing events on the ground. Stadiums, national parks, and crowded public areas often receive temporary flight restrictions during popular eclipses. Always check FAA NOTAMs and TFR listings well in advance of any eclipse flight. Coordinate directly with ATC if you plan to fly near high-traffic viewing corridors.
How long does totality last when flying during a solar eclipse?
Ground observers typically experience 2 to 4 minutes of totality depending on their location along the centerline. However, pilots flying along the path of totality can extend their view slightly by positioning on the centerline and flying in the same direction as the shadow. Some pilots have extended totality by several additional seconds using this technique. That said, the experience is still brief — preparation and timing are everything.
Sources:
FAA — Solar Eclipse Guidance for Pilots | National Eclipse — 2024 Total Solar Eclipse Resources | NASA — Solar Eclipse Resources and Maps
Written by the E3 Aviation Editorial Team | E3 Aviation Association — Empowering pilots with knowledge, community, and resources.
