St Elmo Pays a Visit
17 Nov 2025
Not every dramatic light show in the cockpit is an emergency — but each one is an invitation to think, notice and learn.
This spectacular display on the windscreen is actually harmless in itself.
The phenomenon is caused by electrical discharge in highly ionised air.
It was named “St Elmo’s fire” by Mediterranean sailors who believed the apparition on their masts was a good omen for their passage through dark waters. On an aircraft windscreen, though, its appearance isn’t necessarily a good thing.
Highly ionised air is often associated with flight through areas of strong convective activity and can be a forewarning of impending lightning strike.
Understanding phenomena, their causes and implications is an important skill for pilots and leaders alike.
In the flight deck, that means knowing the difference between “interesting” and “urgent”, and being able to stay curious while still managing risk. In leadership, it’s about spotting patterns, asking “What might this be telling me?” before reacting.
Understanding how we respond to unexpected events — and improving performance from those experiences — comes through reflection, a key leadership skill. At Flightpath Mentoring we coach reflective ability as one of the core processes for improving professional practice.
Click here to find out how Flightpath Mentoring can support your growth.
Get new insights by email
Short, practical reflections from the flight deck — no spam, just value.