Airport tarmac is too hot to handle

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Central Texas is dealing with an extreme heat wave.

Monday is the 27th day this summer that temperatures have reached 100 or above, even more triple-digit heat than occurred at this point in 2008, a summer that eventually became tied with 1998 as Austin's hottest on record.

One of the hottest places to be outside is an airport tarmac. The heat radiates off the blacktop, increasing temperatures considerably.

Tristan Walling is an assistant chief flight instructor for the Austin Academy of Aviation. This summer, he is not only teaching students how to fly, but how to stay cool without air conditioning.

His most popular classes are in the morning before the sun scorches the tarmac.

"10:30 a.m. is not as popular, because when you get back it's really hot," said Walling. "You have to be really dedicated for the 1 p.m. or 3 p.m. slots we have."

Walling took a student up in the air during Monday's scorching afternoon.

"It's unbelievable," said John Arrow, University of Texas, Austin Flying Club president. "If you stand in one place, I think your shoes will start melting."

Arrow is also a pilot. He keeps cool by opening up the window when he flies.

"It was hot up there," said Arrow. "I actually had to open up the window. It kind of cools everything off."

Arrow flew in the morning to avoid the heat and possible problems for his plane.

"Airplanes don't perform nearly as well," said Arrow. "We have to do different calculations, and sometimes it can get so hot that we can't takeoff."

For workers out on the hot tarmac everyday, it is all about surviving the summer.

"I've lived on and off in Texas for 15 years, and this is one of the worst summers," said Arrow.