There are few things that cause passengers to feel anxiety more than an unexpected wriggle at 35,000 feet. And seeing how jolts and drops are fairly common in air travel, it’s a good idea to explore what actually causes airplane turbulence, and to discover whether there is actually any danger involved in those shaky moments.
The quick answer is this: turbulence is just a part of flying, and modern aircraft are specifically designed to withstand it. That said, those rumbles and drops can still cause injuries, especially if passengers are not wearing seat belts.
What Is Turbulence?
Turbulence is basically movement that occurs in the atmosphere due to changes in airflow. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), turbulence can be a result of jet streams, weather conditions, thunderstorms, nearby mountains, and shifts in atmospheric pressure. It can also happen in a sky that looks completely clear. The FAA puts turbulence into categories based on intensity that ranges from light to extreme. Light to moderate turbulence can make it difficult to walk, while severe turbulence can mean large, sudden changes (drops) in an aircraft’s altitude.
Why Do Airplanes Shake?
When an aircraft flies, it is moving through air that isn’t necessarily smooth, and when it meets with rapidly changing air currents, it can suddenly experience vertical or horizontal movements as a result. It can be helpful to think of it like driving on a bumpy road — except the “road” is can’t be seen and is constantly shifting.
One rather interesting type of turbulence is called is clear-air turbulence (CAT). Instead of the type normally associated with visible clouds or storms, CAT can happen in seemingly clear skies, which can make it more difficult to detect by sight alone.
Is Turbulence Dangerous?
When talking about aircraft, turbulence is a manageable state of affairs for the most part. Pilots are constantly being made aware of turbulence reports and forecasts and can occasionally adjust altitude or route to avoid areas of notable turbulence.
The cause for any concern is for possible injury to passengers and crew inside the cabin. The FAA reports that turbulence is a leading cause of in-flight injuries – not because of the movement itself, but because without a seatbelt, people can be tossed about and hurt.
How to stay safe during turbulence:
- Keep your seat belt fastened whenever you’re in your seat.
- Follow flight and cabin crew instructions.
- Heed the fasten seat-belt sign.
- Secure loose items in turbulent conditions.
Is Turbulence Cause for Worry?
Usually not. Turbulence can cause discomfort and can sometimes be severe, but it is a usual, familiar, and well-managed part of commercial aviation. For passengers, the easiest safety measure is the most effective: keep your seat belt fastened when seated. And while it may not soothe your nerves (that’s a different article!) it certainly does reduce the risk of unexpected injuries.
So the next time your aircraft meets with a few jostles, remember: turbulence may seem scary inside the cabin, but it’s a normal aviation phenomenon that crews are trained and prepared to manage every day.