What is Turbulence?

Turbulence Explained: Insights and Tips from a Pilot's Perspective

Anthony Bruno

Reviewed by: Captain Laura Einsetler

Updated: July 22, 2024

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Key Topics:

• Tips to Reduce Anxiety About Turbulence
• Types of Turbulence
• Pilots Thoughts on Turbulence
• FAQ: Turbulence Explained

Turbulence is an irregular motion of the atmosphere that can cause discomfort and anxiety for air travelers. This article discusses the types of turbulence and the methods for avoiding and mitigating encounters with turbulence, helping to reduce unnecessary anxiety for air travelers.

Tips to Reduce Anxiety About Turbulence

1. Understand what turbulence is: Turbulence is a normal part of flying caused by the movement of air currents in the atmosphere. It is not dangerous, and aircraft are built to withstand much more turbulence than most passengers will ever experience.
2. Research the topic before your flight: Knowing the different types of turbulence, when and where they are most likely to occur can help reduce anxiety when encountering turbulence.
3. Follow flight attendant instructions: While on board, follow the flight attendant's instruction to remain seated and keep your seatbelt fastened during turbulence.
4. Keep your personal items and food secure: Securing your personal items and holding onto foods and drinks can help prevent them from spilling or getting knocked over during turbulence.
5. Consider timing of restroom breaks: Try to plan restroom breaks before entering or after exiting expected turbulence zones.
6. Practice relaxation techniques: Try to relax and distract yourself by listening to music, reading a book, or meditating.
7. Remember that pilots are trained to handle turbulence: Pilots and air traffic controllers are trained to handle and avoid turbulence as much as possible, and they do everything they can to make your flight as smooth as possible.
8. Seek professional help if needed: If you find yourself suffering from a severe fear of flying, it may be beneficial to seek professional help or therapy to manage your anxiety.

Learn more about the types of turbulence below.

Types of Turbulence

• Mechanical Turbulence: Caused by terrain, buildings, or other structures disrupting the smooth airflow through a given area. This type is most commonly encountered during takeoff and landing when hills, ridges, or infrastructure around the airport interfere with the flow of surface winds. It usually lasts only a few minutes and dissipates after landing or once climbing a few thousand feet upon takeoff.
• Convective Turbulence: Commonly referred to as thermals, this turbulence is generally associated with warm weather and is caused by solar heating reflecting upwards off the surface. The higher the temperature, the stronger and higher the thermals. When sufficient atmospheric moisture is present, cumulus clouds tend to denote the upper extent of thermals. It is limited to within a few thousand feet of the surface and is only experienced during takeoff and landing.
• Frontal Turbulence: Typically found ahead of a fast-moving cold front. If a cold front is approaching your departure or arrival airport, you might encounter some frontal turbulence. It is most common at lower altitudes and can be avoided by coordination between pilots, dispatchers, and air traffic controllers.
• Wake Turbulence: Generated by aircraft, not the atmosphere. The strongest wake turbulence is produced by heavy aircraft during takeoff and landing. ATC maintains minimum separation distances between aircraft to combat wake turbulence, making encounters extremely rare.
• Clear Air Turbulence (CAT): Most common above 15,000 ft and is the result of airflow from different directions and/or of differing speeds converging. CAT is often found in or near the jet stream and can persist for hundreds of miles.
• Mountain Wave Turbulence: Found near mountainous terrain, caused by air being disrupted as it flows over mountains. The disrupting peaks cause the air to undulate on the downwind side of the range(s), with strong winds causing these oscillations to persist for over 100 miles and cause severe turbulence.
• Thermal Turbulence: Caused by rising warm air and usually experienced during hot weather conditions, especially over land surfaces that absorb heat.
• Temperature Inversions: Occur when a layer of warm air traps cooler air near the ground, creating unstable air movements.

Pilots Thoughts on Turbulence

Have you ever experienced that heart-stopping moment of turbulence while flying and wondered what you could do to stay safe? In this insightful video, Captain Laura Einsettler joins CBS News to discuss the recent severe turbulence event on a Singapore Airlines flight, which tragically resulted in one fatality and several injuries. As someone who used to dismiss safety presentations, this video opened my eyes to the importance of always being prepared and staying informed. Watch now to learn essential safety tips and understand what really happens during these rare but unsettling incidents.

Fasten those seatbelts! In the video, the captain emphasized the importance of having your seatbelt tightly fastened at all times, even when the seatbelt sign is off, to stay safe during unexpected turbulence. If turbulence occurs while passengers are moving about the cabin, they should grab the nearest seat and hold on tight. Planning to take early morning flights can also be beneficial, as the air tends to be smoother at that time.

Can happen without warning: In this particular incident, there was significant convective activity, common in equatorial regions during typhoon season. Advanced technology helps pilots predict weather conditions and avoid turbulence when possible. However, clear air turbulence (CAT), caused by variations in air pressure and temperature, can occur without warning. Pilots are trained to handle such situations and use advanced forecasting tools to navigate around potential turbulence.

Extreme turbulence is rare: Captain Einsetler reassures passengers that incidents like the Singapore Airlines case are extremely rare. With 90,000 passenger flights taking off safely every day, pilots do everything possible to predict and avoid turbulence. She highlights the importance of paying attention to safety presentations given by flight attendants, as these prepare passengers for rare situations where quick and correct responses are necessary. Keeping windows open during takeoff and landing can help passengers react appropriately if needed.

Trust their training and confidence! By understanding turbulence from a pilot's perspective, passengers can feel more confident and less anxious during their flight. Pilots prioritize safety above all else, and their extensive training and experience equip them to handle turbulence effectively. As Captain Einsetler noted, seeing pilots confident and comfortable can help passengers feel the same. Pilots are knowledgeable about their aircraft's capabilities and limits, ensuring that the aircraft operates well within safe parameters, even during turbulent conditions.