Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Plane Answers: When are pilots afraid of turbulence?
Welcome to Plane Answers where our resident airline pilot, Kent Wien, answers your questions about everything from takeoff to touchdown and beyond. Have a question of your own? Ask away!Kyle writes:
First of all, thanks for taking the time to respond to people's questions. There's something I've always wanted to know. Do pilots ever get scared of turbulence? If so, what makes them bad enough to actually be scary. Is there a way a passenger can know when to be concerned and when it's just normal bumps and shakes?
Thanks, Kyle.
Turbulence is more annoying than frightening, usually. But I think it's more upsetting for passengers than some pilots realize.
I learned a good lesson when flying as a passenger some years ago. I was sitting next to a really nice lady who had previously worked as an agent for another airline. She had obviously flown a great deal, but she startled me when she grabbed my arm as soon as the airplane hit the slightest bit of light chop (pilot-speak for small rhythmic bumps). She said to me, "If the pilots would just ACKNOWLEDGE this turbulence--if they would just say something, I'd feel so much better."
That moment stuck with me. As a co-pilot, it's not really my place to make reassuring PAs--that's up to the captain--but I will do my best when I move to the left seat.
Turbulence becomes worrisome to a pilot when it could cause harm to our flight attendants or passengers who aren't buckled in. That's our biggest concern. I'm very confident that the airplane will hold up to the roughest of air, but we just don't want anyone to get hurt. Take a look at this Boeing video showing the maximum inflight load the 777 will take before failing. The wing finally failed at 154% of the maximum rated load. The video that follows after the jump has to give you confidence in today's airliners.
Often though, pilots might not realize just how bad it is for the flight attendants in the back. When flying on the longer airliners, the ride in the cockpit can feel like light chop, while conditions in the aft galley make it impossible to stand up. The next time you fly, see if you can tell the difference with the flight attendants working in first class versus those in the back during a bumpy period.
Moderate turbulence is strong enough to move things around in the cabin. As a test, you can set a cup or glass on your table. If it gets knocked off--and not just small sliding movements that take it over the edge--then you are likely experiencing moderate turbulence. You'd feel a definite strain against your seat belt. If we encounter this kind of ride, be assured that we're talking to air traffic control or other airplanes to try and find a smoother altitude. This would be a good time to mention how important it is to wear your seatbelt when seated.
Pilots don't like these bumps any more than passengers do, but they're generally not something that cause us to be frightened. That said, we always have a healthy appreciation for the turbulence that thunderstorms are capable of, so we strive to avoid them by at least 20 miles. Fortunately, these cumulonimbus clouds are relatively easy to spot on our weather radar. But don't be too concerned about flying into the puffy cumulous clouds that have little vertical development. These clouds don't show up on our radar and pose little problems other than light chop or turbulence.
We also rely on pilot reports from other aircraft in the area to keep us away from any clear air turbulence. Over the North Atlantic, we monitor a pilot-to-pilot frequency that allows us to give some warning to flights behind us when we enter areas of unforecasted turbulence. When flying in the domestic U.S. we rely on Air Traffic Control to let us know where the smoothest rides may be.
Have you ever been curious about what goes on at the pointy end of an airplane? Ask Kent and maybe he'll use your question for next Friday's Plane Answers feature.
Filed under: Plane Answers
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Neil May 9th 2008 2:47AM
Interesting read, Kent. That video is impressive. I remember watching it on TV, as part of the "21st Century Jet - Building of 777" series some years ago.
Thanks
Kathie May 9th 2008 7:48PM
This was the most reassuring email I have ever read. I was recently on a flight from Chicago to Tokyo and the pilot warned us before takeoff that it was going to be choppy for about 45 minutes. No sooner had we taken off than overhead compartment doors flew open and stuff started falling out! I remember thinking why this dumb (and a bunch of unmentionables!) pilot took such a crazy chance...now I feel better. And I apologize for all the names I called him! Thanks!!
sheri May 9th 2008 9:06PM
Fascinating. I also agree that if pilots got on the pa during turbulance I would feel alot better. I like pilots who let you know what's going on. I find comfort knowing they're working up there! I went through some rough turbulance between Hawaii and CA,the flight attendant dropped to her knee to keep her balance and one person screemed during a 'drop'. Not my best experience, but I realized just how much a plane could take. Can you tell me about how many feet a plane has to 'drop' for the passengers to feel it? It was kind of like a rollercoaster ride where your butt came off the seat as opposed to the usual bumps.
Kent Wien May 9th 2008 9:26PM
Hi Sheri,
Thanks for the nice comment. I know it's always described by the media as 'the plane felt like it plummeted 200 feet' but you'd be amazed at how small an altitude change results from those bumps. It's hard to know exactly but we're probably talking +/- 10 feet.
You might want to try to get a seat closer to the front or over the wings if the turbulence really bothers you. Just as the back of the bus can have some really wild bumps, imagine what a long airliner can feel like in the aft.
I'm glad this topic has been helpful for some flyers. Turbulence can be put all the way down to #47 on the list of things to be concerned about while flying.
Gareth May 9th 2008 8:11PM
Kent - great topic to cover, I'm sure it has put a lot of people's minds a rest. Just to upset the apple cart a bit how about a bit of wake turbulence to keep a pilot on their toes?
Regis May 11th 2008 3:16AM
Don't forget the dispatchers back at HQ who are doing their best to economically plan around turbulence well ahead of time and collating and disseminating pilot reports in an effort to the early turbulence warning out to the aircraft.
Kent Wien May 11th 2008 3:18AM
Thank you, Regis.
You're absolutely right. Dispatch is a huge help in passing along ride reports from other flights that pass through our area. I can't believe I neglected to mention that!
Gail May 11th 2008 12:06AM
A very pertinent topic! Thanks for the very interesting video. I forwarded it to Almost-Captain Mike, who just came off BA's 777 fleet. I wonder how his new airplane (A320) rates in the try-to-break-my-wings department?
Mike's training is almsot finished, by the way. Some delays due to availability of check captains. He's down to the last few sectors which appear to be scheduled on a catch-as-catch-can basis every few days. Very tedious for us.
katie May 20th 2008 3:43PM
I am wondering what are items 1-46 on the list of things to be concerned about while flying?
Kent Wien May 20th 2008 9:15PM
Katie,
I was wondering when someone would ask that question!
The FAA seems to feel the number one concern is from the traffic on the ground. They call it 'ground incursions.'
Hopefully this concern can be met with new technology. It seems we've used technology to help solve many mid-air collision and collisions with terrain issues. They're almost unheard of anymore as a result of this technology.
Kent