(The Washington Post illustration; iStock)
One minute, passengers may be sleeping, or eating, or enjoying an unremarkable flight. The next: chaos. That’s the scenario that unfolded in repeated high-profile incidents of turbulence in recent months. Last week, more than 30 people were treated for injuries after an Air Europa flight hit turbulence while traveling from Spain to Uruguay.
In May, one person died and dozens were hospitalized after a Singapore Airlines jet encountered “sudden extreme turbulence” while flying near the coast of Myanmar….Continue reading….
Source: How to stay safe during flight turbulence, according to pilots – The Washington Post
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Experts say that in extreme scenarios, turbulence can cause structural damage to a plane because of how strong the winds can be. Severe turbulence can be dangerous to air passengers because of the violent motion it can cause, which can throw anyone who is not wearing a seatbelt across the cabin.
One of the primary strategies employed by pilots to mitigate turbulence is changing altitude. If turbulence is anticipated or encountered at a specific level, the pilot may opt to climb or descend to find a smoother air layer. Pilots communicate with air traffic control to request altitude adjustments as needed.
Knowing that turbulence is a normal and safe part of flying, and that pilots and aircraft are well-equipped to handle it, can provide reassurance. Some people find it useful to practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or visualisation.“Remember, turbulence is caused by temperature differences and changes. The higher the altitude, the thinner and colder the air, and thus less turbulence.
We spoke to some pilots to find out. Chris McGee, a commercial pilot of nearly 30 years, has flown both long and short-haul flights. “In terms of if an aircraft would crash from turbulence, that’s about the same likelihood as me stepping outside the door and having a meteorite land on my head,” she says.
Still, the question is understandable: in particularly severe turbulence, an aircraft’s wing can break off? The answer is no. And not just because it never happened. But because commercial aircraft wings are designed to withstand the stress of forces that, in nature, do not even exist.Flight attendants, too, are well-trained in dealing with turbulence. They know how to secure the cabin quickly, reassure passengers, and manage safety protocols effectively.
Their calm demeanor during turbulence is a result of specific training and numerous experiences. Could turbulence bring down my flight? “The short answer is yes,” senior aviation consultant Adrian Young tells The Independent – but it’s unlikely. Turbulence, associated with thunderstorms, can be extremely hazardous, having the potential to cause overstressing of the aircraft or loss of control.
Thunderstorm vertical currents may be strong enough to displace an aircraft up or down vertically as much as 2000 to 6000 feet.Long planes can feel most turbulent at the back and the ideal spot is around the centre of gravity, which is typically just ahead of the wings. Boeing’s high-tech 787-9, with a “Gust Alleviation System” from Honeywell , ranks first for handling turbulence, according to Turbli.
“Typically, on a transatlantic flight, you might expect 10 minutes of turbulence,” he added. “I think that in a few decades this may increase to 20 minutes or to half an hour. The seat belt sign will be switched on a lot more, unfortunately for passengers.”In a May 2023 post, pilot Jimmy Nicholson spoke to his followers, suggesting they steer clear of the back of the plane. “The front of the aircraft, you’re going to experience less turbulence.
Turbulence, which causes planes to suddenly jolt while in flight, is considered a fairly normal occurrence and nothing to fear. The movement is caused by “atmospheric pressure, jet streams, air around mountains, cold or warm weather fronts, or thunderstorms,” according to the FAA. Nighttime or morning flights are statistically better for turbulence, compared to those in the day. Although turbulence can’t be completely avoided at night, winds are often weaker and thermal convection turbulence is less, making the chances of encountering turbulence reduced.
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