Questions tagged [turbulence]
Questions about air turbulence, clear air turbulence, or other air movements that cause loss of control and discomfort in flight
49
questions
3
votes
1answer
320 views
Why do wings prefer laminar flow if cd is lower for turbulent flows?
Can anyone please explain to me why we prefer to maintain laminar flow over wings, despite the fact that the overall coefficient of drag appears to reduce as the Reynolds Number increases? I have read ...
4
votes
1answer
155 views
How much can a plane benefit from another planes wake?
Could a smaller plane fly in a V formation behind a much larger plane to reduce fuel consumption significantly more than a plane its own size? At what point does flying in a larger planes wake become ...
3
votes
1answer
75 views
Does a decreasing shape factor correspond to greater or reduced probability of separation?
The shape factor ($H=\frac{\delta^*}{\theta}$) is the ratio of displacement thickness, a measure of the thickness of the boundary layer, to the momentum thickness, a measure of the shear stress. I ...
9
votes
5answers
5k views
Do aircraft cabins have suspension?
On cars, we have 'shock absorber' suspension that decouples the passengers and loads from the road vibrations, bumps etc.
On planes do we have any form of suspension that decouples the passengers &...
0
votes
0answers
32 views
Effect of Turbulence on Dynamics
I am trying to make a simplified version of a model rocket in MATLAB's Simulink. I have modeled the actual dynamics already, and they work perfectly fine. The inputs to the dynamics are the forces and ...
-2
votes
1answer
105 views
What needs to be done when experiencing severe turbulence at an altitude of FL270 with No ATC and Mode C failure? [closed]
Flying at FL270, you experience sever turbulence and Mode C failure, and the ATC channel is heavily Occupied, what should a pilot ideally do?
5
votes
1answer
825 views
Has turbulence ever killed a passenger?
The question is on my mind, because many passengers think there is no need to wear the seatbelt when the seatbelt sign is not illuminated.
12
votes
1answer
3k views
Would the wings of a Boeing 787 be snapped off in the same turbulence in which a DC-8 lost an engine and parts of a wing?
From forbes.com:
In 1992, a DC 8 cargo aircraft suffered turbulence so severe over the Front Range of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains that its left outboard engine was completely ripped off as well as ...
-1
votes
2answers
412 views
How come the DC-8 plane can withstand +15G from turbulence, but newer planes can only withstand 20% of that amount?
Source - https://www.weather.gov/media/zhu/ZHU_Training_Page/turbulence_stuff/turbulence3/turbulence.pdf
(Scroll down for photos)
I figured out how many G's the cargo jet took by looking at the ...
1
vote
2answers
284 views
How to deal with turbulence while flying glider? (Cautions in applying rudder)
I just watched video explaining how the American Airline Flight 587 crashed
It led me to think about glider flying. The cause of that crash was that the first officer ...
1
vote
1answer
378 views
Why would a plane drop 14.000 ft mid flight?
Just noticed American Airlines flight 221 dropped 14.000 ft mid flight today. Curious, what could have caused this?
Here are the flight details.
6
votes
5answers
702 views
How to correct a roll due to turbulence?
I fly a Piper Cherokee 180 (PA-28-180) in an area that has frequent turbulence. When turbulence causes the aircraft to roll to one side I usually try to correct by using aileron and rudder in the ...
1
vote
2answers
313 views
What are the particular challenges faced when landing at Bristol airport (UK)?
Earlier this year I returned to Bristol on flight TOM-6633, and like most landings at Bristol the passengers found the experience physically immersive, attention grabbing, and at least a little ...
1
vote
0answers
56 views
How do commercial pilots know turbulence is ahead? [duplicate]
On commercial flights, an announcement will be made if turbulence is expected ahead and if the route will be adjusted such as moving to a higher altitude.
How do pilots know that turbulence is ahead ...
27
votes
1answer
9k views
How does a pilot tell passengers to prepare for severe turbulence without causing panic?
At the start of a flight, the pilot of an aircraft often talks about the expected weather on the flight path, and tells passengers if there is to be some turbulence during the flight.
How does a ...
2
votes
0answers
77 views
Can new technology help planes dodge turbulence? [duplicate]
With so many technological advancements happening in the aviation industry, will it be possible for airlines to smoothen the effects of turbulence, as turbulence cannot be eliminated?
The following ...
6
votes
1answer
245 views
What is the physical scale of the turbulence that affects large passenger planes?
What magnitude of displacement of air in turbulence conditions is large enough to affect (i.e. be noticeable in) an airliner?
Are there any minimum limits, so that even fiercely turbulent air below a ...
1
vote
2answers
329 views
If airliners and commercial planes have turbulence, can helicopters have turbulence?
I was watching a video of an V 22 (Osprey) taking off and it had that white cloudy stuff that looked like turbulence around the propellers. Can helicopters have turbulence too? I know an osprey is not ...
15
votes
2answers
19k views
Why does a plane shake while passing through clouds? [duplicate]
Why does a plane shake while passing through the clouds?
During my last journey all the other passengers started shouting when the plane was passing through clouds. It was the third time I was ...
6
votes
2answers
1k views
Why does wake turbulence sink?
There has been a remarkable story this week of a Challenger 604 business jet being rolled after encountering the wake turbulence of an A380.
A Challenger 604 at FL340 operating from Male-Abu Dhabi ...
12
votes
1answer
506 views
How is close formation flying possible with things like thermals and turbulence?
This weekend the Blue Angels came to town. The weather was less than perfect. A quick look at SkyVector during their show indicated there was an active AIRMET for moderate turbulence.
This made me ...
1
vote
0answers
31 views
Clear Air Turbulence Avoidance [duplicate]
Nowadays to avoid C.A.T. the crew checks the charts before, or receive pieces of information from the leading pilots or from the VOLMET stations.
Is there any weather radar able to spot Clear Air ...
1
vote
1answer
892 views
Is there much turbulence in the Doldrums?
A place over the equator called the Doldrums are know for the severe lack of sailing winds. In the atmosphere above it is there any presence of turbulence anywhere? Where would the least year round ...
0
votes
2answers
265 views
Is there a way to avoid the effects of turbulence?
I am trying to determine the plausibility of a larger, broad question using a modified plane equipped with a modified E-fan and external electric ultra light weight rail. The power would be collected ...
5
votes
1answer
541 views
What are good tips for flying across Tejon pass?
I will be flying from Northern California to Southern California this weekend for the first time in a C172SP (KPAO to KFUL). My planned altitude is 9500 feet. I had a talked with my former instructor ...
4
votes
1answer
333 views
What might a pilot mean by “uncontrollable”?
The air safety reports from FlyDubai aircrew leaked to the Guardian contain some alarming stories about crew rostering, tiredness and duty times, but another one caught my eye, a description of an ...
8
votes
1answer
1k views
Is there always turbulence over China?
I'm not sure if this is appropriate to Aviation.SE, so apologies in advance if not.
I have taken several domestic flights over mainland China (as in, the People's Republic thereof) and, so far, it ...
8
votes
3answers
4k views
When to slow down to Va for turbulence?
I'm trying to figure out when it is safe to continue at normal cruise speed and when I should slow down to avoid over-stressing the airframe due to turbulence. (of course I have asked instructors but ...
4
votes
1answer
383 views
What flies better in turbulent wind?
I trying to find a way to stay in a jet stream unpowered for a larger question. Is there a glider, kite or plane that flies best when in turbulent weather?
12
votes
3answers
672 views
What is the aerodynamic effect of a panorama (skydeck) near the tail section of a commercial airline?
A company called Windspeed Technologies posted the following concept video of a panorama seating option aboard a commercial plane.
From the limited understanding I have of the phenomena called flow ...
4
votes
2answers
291 views
Are most/all flights affected by a noticeable amount of turbulence?
How common is turbulence that is severe enough to feel uncomfortable? I don't mean a little shaking here and there, but a drop that lasts a second or two.
Last 2 flights I was on (Paris to Singapore, ...
17
votes
2answers
5k views
How does radar detect turbulence and wind speed?
In an answer to a questions about turbulence this answer mentioned that aircraft use radar to help detect the most turbulent areas of a storm so that pilots can avoid them.
How does radar do this? ...
49
votes
6answers
16k views
How dangerous was the turbulence on this commercial flight?
EDIT: Having read these great answers I feel a little ashamed for the fear I felt on this recent flight. However, judging by my reaction to the experience and the reaction of those around me on the ...
5
votes
0answers
562 views
How to control fear of flying? [closed]
Four months ago I travelled to US (my 3rd time visit) from India. I always have that aerophobia just before and during flying but it has grown exponentially when the American Airlines flight took-off ...
1
vote
0answers
36 views
Do we shake more if we are seated towards the tail rather than in the middle or the front? [duplicate]
Just like in buses on road, we feel more shaky when we sit in the back seats than the driver and other sitting in front. Is it the same for flights when we are in clouds?
4
votes
2answers
637 views
Where should I sit to experience the least turbulence?
Following on from Why are first/business class seats at the front?, in which part of a large commercial jet cabin would I experience the least turbulence? On the one hand I would have said that ...
4
votes
2answers
2k views
What are some ways to decrease turbulence?
I know there are ways turbulence can be reduced, but what are these ways that keep the ride comforting and also with better stability.
8
votes
4answers
1k views
When crossing a mountain ridge at low height above terrain what consideration is given to turbulence?
Some background: I am not a pilot, but a researcher studying air-flow across mountain terrain using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD).
During my studies, I have been particularly interested by high-...
1
vote
2answers
1k views
When is turbulence most dangerous to an aircraft?
In what general situations or flight scenarios is turbulence most dangerous to aircraft? When could it be bad enough to bring down an aircraft (even up to something as big as an A380)?
1
vote
1answer
422 views
Can microbursts occur at high altitudes?
I was wondering whether a microburst can occur at high altitudes?
9
votes
3answers
2k views
Can an outside observer tell if an aircraft is flying through turbulence?
As a passenger, when I look out of the window, I can see the wings shaking. What would another plane (not in turbulence) see if they were observing the same plane (in turbulence)?
22
votes
3answers
6k views
Do we have a unit to measure turbulence?
Do airplanes have any way to quantify the turbulence like if shakes are there or the some kind of air drift is happening every parameter of these have some units but do collectively there is any such ...
4
votes
1answer
3k views
What is the difference between Jet Wash and Jet Blast?
I was reading about Wake Turbulence in Wikipedia and got to know about Jet Wash and Wing Vortex. According to Wikipedia, Jet Blast is the movement of air from the jet exhaust. Isn't this same as Jet ...
39
votes
6answers
13k views
How do pilots foresee turbulence?
During a normal flight at cruise speed and altitude, amid the delicious airline meal and the enjoying a latest movie, all of a sudden the seat belt sign turns on.
Then a few seconds later we enter ...
8
votes
1answer
14k views
Do airlines continue operating in the vicinity of a hurricane?
Have hung around some of the aviation interest groups (like airliners.net) and tried to research this but haven't found very clear answers.
Typically when a hurricane (tropical, peak wind-speed in ...
14
votes
1answer
5k views
What if you refuse to fasten your seatbelt?
As a passenger, what happens / can happen if you refuse to fasten your seatbelt when you are told to, either during take off/landing or (bad) turbulences?
I've recently read a Facebook post that ...
22
votes
2answers
2k views
What is turbulence, and how does it happen?
I'm not a pilot, so I always wonder when I'm flying why does it happen... Is it because of bad weather, or something else?
7
votes
1answer
837 views
Do the effects of turbulence change when banking/turning compared to level flight?
Are the effects created by turbulence on the aircraft different when the aircraft is banking or in level flight? By logic I'd say yes but I would like some technical and practical explanation.
When ...
19
votes
3answers
13k views
How does a commercial flight pilot handle turbulence?
In general, passengers dislike turbulence. Avoiding all turbulence sometimes is not viable, as it would make the flight too long, too expensive (fuel consumed), or simply not having alternatives.
How ...
