Some turbulence can be forecast or detected before it affects airplanes. Clear-air turbulence can catch pilots off guard.
DENVER — The Rocky Mountains are one of the most turbulent areas in the country to fly because of the way the slopes redirect the flow of air. Pilots call it mechanical turbulence.
The western slopes of the Rockies are the mechanism that forces air to rise, which can create a bumpy road for planes. But on the side of the mountain opposite the wind direction, curls in the wind can form circulations that pilots call rotors.
“Some of those bumps are just light chop, but they can also be moderate to severe turbulence," said 9NEWS aviation expert Greg Feith.
He said that fortunately, mechanical turbulence can be forecast, and pilots usually know it's there based on the type of wave clouds they create.
But there’s another type of turbulence, which pilots call clear-air turbulence, that usually strikes without warning – when the sky is clear, the ride is smooth and the seatbelt light is off.
“That clear air turbulence can send the airplane into a bit of a perturbation that is exacerbated depending on the size of the plane and translated to the passengers," Feith said. "So, if the bottom drops out, that’s instantaneous zero-g. You now become a floating projectile.”
He said it's caused by different layers of air in the atmosphere moving in different directions and at different speeds. It can be forecast, but less accurately than other types of turbulence.
Feith said to always keep your seatbelt on, even when the indicator light is off. He said airplanes are designed to withstand extreme turbulence, so the idea is to become part of that sturdy plane by properly securing yourself.
However, he said that sometimes even belted passengers get injured, because unsecured objects like phones, laptops and water bottles become missiles during turbulence events.
There are also other choices you can make to get a smoother and safer ride. Choose a larger plane if possible, because turbulence will be amplified in smaller airplanes. A woman was killed when the small business jet she was on hit severe turbulence on Friday.
The seat you choose can even make a difference.
“The best place to sit is over the wing and forward, because the wing itself will absorb a lot of that energy and it's dissipated," Feith said. "The back of the plane is moving more pronounced versus the front end.”
Feith also said to choose early morning flights because the air is usually more stable and smoother at that time, especially in the spring and summer months when thunderstorm activity is more widespread in the afternoons.
FAQs
CAT can be hazardous to the comfort, and occasionally the safety, of air travelers, as the aircraft pilots often cannot see and anticipate such turbulences, and a sudden encounter can impart significant stress to the airframe.
What are the dangers of turbulence? ›
In cases of light and moderate turbulence, passengers might feel a strain against their seatbelt, and unsecure items in the cabin may move around. However, in more serious cases, turbulence can result in passengers being thrown around the cabin, leading to severe injuries, or death.
Can pilots avoid clear air turbulence? ›
Many pilots also look at the upper-level jet streams along their route for signs of wind shear, then plan to fly above, below or around those areas, he said. Modern planes are strong enough to handle just about any turbulence.
What are the conditions for clear air turbulence? ›
Clear air turbulence is when erratic air currents occur in cloudless air between altitudes of 20,000 and 49,000 feet. One of the main causes of clear air turbulence is disrupted flow within a strong vertical wind shear environment.
Can clear air turbulence be foreseen? ›
Clear air turbulence is probably one of the most difficult weather phenomena to predict.
Where is clear air turbulence strongest? ›
Although not all jet streams have CAT associated with them, there can be significant vertical and horizontal Wind Shear on the edges of the jet stream giving rise to sometimes severe clear air turbulence. Any CAT is strongest on the cold side of the jet stream where the wind shear is greatest.
Can turbulence flip a plane? ›
While turbulence can feel scary, airplanes are designed to withstand massive amounts of it. "A plane cannot be flipped upside-down, thrown into a tailspin, or otherwise flung from the sky by even the mightiest gust or air pocket," wrote pilot Patrick Smith on his site, AskThePilot.com.
Can pilots see turbulence? ›
Pilots use the weather radar to identify and navigate around areas of turbulence. The real-time data allows them to make timely decisions to enhance passenger comfort and safety.
What speed is clear air turbulence? ›
The significance of jet streams for clear air turbulence
By definition, the wind speed is at least 30 m/s or 60 kt in a jet stream. There is a strong relationship between the jet stream and the clear air turbulence. CAT is caused by the vertical and horizontal wind shear of jet streams.
At what altitude is clear air turbulence? ›
Clear air turbulence is associated at high altitudes (i.e, above 15,000 feet AGL) with the jet stream.
Some aircraft are more susceptible to the effects of turbulence than others. Light aircraft are prone to be buffeted, and are significantly affected even by light turbulence. Relatively few reports of turbulence are received from fast military jets which are designed to give a high degree of tolerance.
Can planes detect clear-air turbulence? ›
Clear-air turbulence doesn't have that high moisture content level, so radar and other instruments can't detect it until it's too late, Adjekum said. "That is what makes it very insidious," Adjekum said. Climate change also plays a part.
What flights have the most turbulence? ›
Most turbulent routes by distance
| # | Route | Distance (km) |
|---|
| 1 | Santiago (SCL) - Santa Cruz (VVI) | 1905 |
| 2 | Shanghai (PVG) - Tokyo (HND) | 1740 |
| 3 | Hangzhou (HGH) - Tokyo (NRT) | 1959 |
| 4 | Avarua (RAR) - Auckland (AKL) | 3014 |
6 more rows“I have flown IFR in moderate to heavy rain many times and not experienced problems, but—there is always one of those isn't there—most often heavy rain is associated with moderate or greater turbulence, which is a problem. But the turbulence is caused by convective activity, not precipitation.
Do clear skies mean no turbulence? ›
Clear air turbulence is not restricted to cloud-free air (75% of all CAT encounters are in clear air).
How high is clear air turbulence? ›
clear-air turbulence (CAT), erratic air currents that occur in cloudless air between altitudes of 6,000 and 15,000 metres (20,000 and 49,000 feet) and constitute a hazard to aircraft.
How is clear air turbulence classified? ›
There are two types of Clear Air Turbulence, Mechanical and Thermal. Mechanical CAT is caused by the vertical shearing movement of air interrupting the smooth horizontal flow of air. Thermal CAT is caused by vertical air currents present when the atmosphere is unstable (put simply – warm air rising).
