The quickest and most effective way to cover large distances is by air. But one of the most common concerns of travelers is encountering turbulence in air. A sudden change in airflow, or turbulence, can make travelers feel anything from mildly uncomfortable to seriously frightened. The causes and consequences of turbulence are often misunderstood, despite its frequent occurrence.
Turbulence in flight happens due to an array of reasons. The environment, temperature fluctuations in the atmosphere, and weather conditions like jet streams and thunderstorms are some major factors. Although turbulence is a common aspect of flying and pilots have been taught to handle it, some myths about turbulence can impact passenger comfort and behavior.
No matter if you choose to travel with Air India flights or any other airline, if you avoid believing in these myths, you’ll have a joyful experience. Continue reading to know about the myths related to air turbulence.
Myth 1: Pilots are always warned about air turbulence
Many passengers think that pilots can foresee and avoid all types of turbulence. Although meteorological reports and preceding flights provide pilots with weather updates, not all turbulence can be foreseen. Particularly, clear air turbulence can happen when there are no visible indicators in the sky, which makes it hard to predict. Pilots often rely on real-time reports and might only have moments to respond and inform passengers.
Myth 2: An aircraft may crash due to severe turbulence
This myth fosters one of the most widespread misconceptions about flying, but it’s important to realize that commercial airplanes are built to endure far greater damage than any turbulence could lead to. Modern airplanes are subject to very strict design and testing requirements. Aircraft are designed to cope with extreme turbulence without causing harm. So, rest assured that it is quite rare for a flight to sustain structural damage due to turbulence.
Myth 3: It’s ok to take off your seat belt when the seat belt sign is off
Don’t loosen your belt right away just because the seat belt indicator is off. Unexpected turbulence in air might happen, and injuries can result from not fastening your seatbelt. Pilots cannot forecast sudden turbulence, so they only turn off the seat belt indicator when they are comfortable with the current air conditions. Whenever you’re seated, it’s advisable to keep your seat belt on.
Myth 4: There’s not much I can do to avoid turbulence
Although the air surrounding an aircraft is beyond anybody’s control, you can still control how you respond to turbulence. Maintaining composure and according to safety guidelines significantly lowers your chance of getting hurt. You can keep yourself safe and comfortable during turbulence by paying attention to the crew, fastening your seatbelt, and remaining seated.
Myth 5: Turbulence always causes injuries to people
Turbulence-related injuries are not as frequent as people might think. The majority of injuries that do happen are usually small and often result from passengers neglecting to put on their seatbelts. In non-fatal airplane accidents, turbulence in air is the main reason for injury to passengers and crew, according to the FAA. But in comparison with the frequency of flights daily, these accidents are quite rare.
Myth 6: Turbulence is more dangerous for smaller aircraft
There is a common belief that smaller aircraft are more prone to turbulence dangers than larger ones. Smaller planes may experience turbulence more strongly, it is true, but this does not imply that they are less safe. Smaller planes are equally well-prepared to handle turbulence as larger jets. All types of aircraft maintain strong standards of safety, but the main difference is in the comfort level of the passengers. Smaller planes can seem like they have more noticeable bounces and drops.
Myth 7: Pilots can easily steer around turbulence
Another misconception is that, once they encounter turbulence, pilots can navigate the aircraft around it. Even though pilots have advanced navigational aids to assist in predicting and avoiding bad weather, turbulence, particularly clear air turbulence (CAT), can be unexpected and sometimes not visible or detectable beforehand. Although pilots can try to find smoother air by adjusting their height, turbulent areas can’t always be avoided. Safety and fuel efficiency are taken into careful consideration when adjusting the flight path and altitude.
Understanding these myths and the facts of turbulence in flight can help reduce some anxiety that comes with flying. Effectively managing and preparing for inflight turbulence is part of the aviation industry’s major focus on safety. For those planning their next trip, be sure to check into Indian Eagle flight deals for the best airfare. Always keep in mind that a planned traveler is a happy and safe traveler.
| Disclaimer: Indian Eagle claims no credit for the images featured on its blog site. All the visual content is copyrighted to its respective owners only. We mention the source name of the image whenever possible and found. However, if we miss acknowledging the owner’s source, please contact us. In case, owners don’t want us to use their images, we will remove them promptly. We believe in providing proper attribution to the original author, artist, and photographer. |
