Flying is one of the safest means of transportation; however, there are a few experiences that can make passengers grip the armrests more tightly than unexpected air turbulence. It can be unnerving when a plane suddenly lurches or dips, especially for even experienced fliers. Thankfully, air turbulence is a very common part of flying and is not normally dangerous to modern airplanes.
Understanding the science behind air turbulence can really ease apprehension and can contribute to a smoother flight experience. We will take a look at what air turbulence is, what causes it, how pilots deal with it, and why it is one of the most misunderstood phenomena of air travel. We will look at aviation safety, common misconceptions, and flying anxiety.
Turbulence occurs when irregular air currents impact an aircraft, momentarily deviating it from its flight path and causing Flight Turbulence. Instead of traveling through a steady mass of air, the plane will encounter pockets of air moving at different speeds and in different directions.
It is often compared to traveling in a car; normally, a very smooth ride can turn into a series of jolts if one encounters rough roads or potholes. An aircraft experiences this when it hits differing wind directions. Millions of flights encounter some form of turbulence every year, and modern airplanes are built to withstand conditions far more intense than passengers normally encounter.
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Several atmospheric and geographical conditions cause flying to be more turbulent, and some of these can even make you want to be up in the air even when you think the weather is okay.
Because the Earth's surface is unevenly heated, warm air rises, and cooler air descends to fill its place, creating pockets of turbulent air. When the plane passes through these areas of turbulent air, it can feel a bit bumpier.
Mountains and tall structures that block airflow disrupt the flow of wind as it flows around them. The air is pushed upwards and then downwards, creating pockets of rough air near these obstacles.
These are formed when cold and hot air masses collide, causing uplift or downdraft, and are often found with stormy weather systems.
These are more difficult to detect because they do not accompany the expected clouds or storm systems. This occurs at very high altitudes, where jet streams flow over large parts of the globe.
Large airplanes can create swirling air vortices that trail behind them. Other smaller aircraft may pass through this region of turbulent air, so controllers take care to space them out and keep them at a certain distance apart.
There are actually four recognized types of turbulence; each has a certain level of impact on flight turbulence, and here is a guide to them for a better understanding of the distinct kinds of turbulence on an airplane:
In this light turbulence, you may feel slight bumps in the aircraft, or drinks may spill, but for the most part, movement around the cabin is easy. And necessarily doesn't have many issues in the aircraft or any passengers.
In this moderate turbulence, passengers might experience more defined jolts and bumps. This might be difficult for anyone in the cabin to move around, and unrestrained items may shift. However, it doesn't have many issues.
Severe turbulence is something that is the scariest and most dangerous form of turbulence, where sudden, violent dips or upward movements will be experienced, and the most practical thing to do would be to remain firmly fastened to your seat.
Extremely rare for aircraft, in this type of turbulence, the plane is violently tossed about, making control difficult to maintain. This does not happen on regular commercial flights. It is estimated that most airline turbulence falls into the light to moderate range.
Pilots are thoroughly trained for all manner of situations involving their aircraft, including any turbulence that may be encountered. As a pilot prepares for each flight, they will have access to the latest weather information and can plan their route accordingly.
Weather radar and aircraft technology allow the pilot to detect storm-induced turbulence in advance. They are in constant communication with air traffic control for live updates of where the roughest air conditions are currently located. Pilots may use:
There is no doubt that air turbulence can be unsettling, but it is, in the vast majority of cases, not dangerous. Airliners are built to the highest specifications and are far stronger than needed to withstand turbulence encountered in normal conditions. The wings, for instance, can withstand significant stress and are designed to flex and return without becoming damaged.
There are reports of injuries on aircraft due to turbulence, but they usually involve people walking around in the cabin or who are not wearing their seat belts. Keeping them fastened means the risk of injury is almost nil.
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Human perception plays a large role in how bumpy our flights feel. Inside the airplane, you are trapped inside a metal container with little or no visible reference to the air movement occurring around you. Even small movements appear large due to this effect. Your instinct also kicks in if your brain perceives an abnormal movement in your environment and naturally assumes there is a threat around you. Psychology indicates that uncertainty also enhances perceived fear levels, meaning if you were to know exactly what was going on, you would feel a lot more relaxed.
As our climate continues to change, so does our understanding of its effects. Some researchers have found that stronger jet streams at Earth's higher levels may lead to increased turbulence, potentially resulting in more clear-air turbulence over certain regions. More study is needed in this area, but aviation experts are constantly monitoring atmospheric conditions. No matter how the future of aviation changes, our flying capabilities are continually evolving.
If the thought of being tossed about has your anxiety levels running high, there are several measures you can take:
Learning about air turbulence itself can ease worries even more. Many frequent flyers attest that the more they know about this aspect of flying, the less it affects their anxiety.
Turbulence is merely an inconvenience caused by uneven air currents. This can be due to a wide variety of weather systems, jet streams, topography, or variations in temperature. Nevertheless, it is a thoroughly understood phenomenon of air travel and modern airplanes, as well as our highly trained pilots, who are expertly prepared to deal with whatever it can throw at us. Turbulence is very rarely dangerous to an airplane; it is quite often a bit of a comfort, just keep those seat belts on. Understanding it all comes down to putting things into perspective: know that your airplane is equipped to fly under far worse conditions, and you have absolutely no cause for concern.
Modern airliners are designed and built with high tolerances for stress far greater than is needed to combat everyday turbulence. Despite turbulence being the source of many a bumpy ride and a couple of in-flight injuries (from failing to be buckled in), it is incredibly uncommon for even severe turbulence to cause an accident involving a commercial flight. Pilots are extensively trained to deal with such conditions.
A flight that takes you over mountainous terrain, or one that involves passing over a stormy area, may experience more turbulence than others. Transatlantic flights passing over areas with stronger jet streams may also encounter it more often. The conditions are largely unpredictable and may vary from day to day.
Seats that are closer to the wings of an aircraft tend to move less, as they are nearer to the aircraft's center of gravity. Those at the back of the aircraft tend to feel the most vertical movement. If turbulence is a concern, aim to be in one of the seats over the wing.
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