3 Facts about Turbulence You Should Know

If you knew what pilots know about turbulence, you’re sure to find flying more relaxing. There is a real ‘feeling of what on earth is this’ when you hit turbulence while flying. Without getting overly scientific, this post will try to take some of the mystery out of turbulence and explain what it means for you. We hope that this will reduce stress levels on your next flight and maybe even allow you to enjoy the process a bit more.

Before we get in to the details, it is important to point out that pilots really do not like bumpy air and will do everything they can to avoid it. Aircraft are equipped with highly modern surveillance equipment and science allows us to predict areas of turbulence; however, sometimes you just can’t avoid it.

Turbulence is the Primary Cause of Non-fatal Aviation Accidents

In the 28 years from 1980 to 20008 the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported nearly 300 serious injuries attributed to turbulence. Nearly two thirds of these involved flight attendants and 114 passengers suffered injuries over this nearly 30 year period. Unfortunately, 3 people suffered fatal injuries. Interestingly, 2 of those were not wearing their seatbelts when instructed to do so and would probably have survived if they had been.

The safest thing to do is keep your seatbelt fastened; pilots always wear theirs. This is also why most airlines recommend wearing your seatbelt even when the sign is switched off.

American Geography Leads to Turbulence.

The convergence of jet streams at the altitude of modern airliners and the numerous mountain ranges are causes of much turbulence. This and other factors mean that the geography of the United States naturally produces turbulence. It also means it is relatively easy to predict.

The good news is that with a detailed knowledge of the natural causes of turbulence and access to the latest meteorological data, flights are planned to avoid these areas.

The Convergence of Jet Streams Creates Turbulence

A jet stream is a wind of greater than 50 knots. Further, these winds are normally stronger during the winter months than in the summer. Jet streams will normally gust west-east and jet aircraft take advantage of this fact by flying in them when heading east. Jet streams are avoided by aircraft traveling west, as the tail wind would slow the aircraft and require a higher fuel usage.

Flight plans will include a depiction of jet streams on the chosen route. This means that the pilot can warn passengers and cabin staff when the aircraft is about to enter an area where two jet streams overlap. This is why you often have the seatbelt light switched on before the turbulence arrives.

Philadelphia Limousine is a ground transportation company in the Philadelphia Area. We know that our customers must contend with routine air travel and hope that this post has removed some of the mystery surrounding turbulence. While we cannot ensure that your flight will be bump-free, we can guarantee that from the moment you leave the departure gate everything will be serene. When your business or pleasure travels bring you to the Greater Philadelphia Area, you can be sure that Philadelphia Limo Service will assist you in any requirements or special needs that you may have. Our corporate services are second to no one and reflect the skills and expertise expected and demanded by the discriminating travelers. We are known for our personalized partnerships, flexible approach to corporate travel management, and our ability to tailor programs to our clients’ needs.