When Is Turbulence In An Airplane Dangerous? | Curious Pilot Explains #1

Is turbulence on an airplane dangerous? This video looks at what causes turbulence and if it is dangerous for the passengers or the aircraft. If you are a nervous flyer or have a fear of flying, it should reassure you that turbulence is not something to worry about. It is uncomfortable but ultimately safe, there are several ways aviation has combatted the negative effects of turbulence, the biggest way is through detection and prevention. Aircraft and airport predictive radar systems keep everything running smoothly for even the most dangerous situations but ultimately even if all the safety measures are bypassed then the Pilots are still armed with the skill and knowledge to keep everyone safe.

Please tell me what you think in the comments below, also if you have any questions, ask away.

Videos featured in this episode:

Aerolineas Argentinas Boeing 737 is experiencing severe turbulence on approach to Ushuaia Airport in

Bad turbulence on an Etihad flight

A380 heavy turbulence over the north Atlantic

Air Force Reserve C-130 Flies Into The Eye of Hurricane Florence

Susto com ATR da Passaredo durante a decolagem no aeroporto de Presidente Prudente .

Airbus A350 XWB: Ultimate load Wing Test

Air Force Reserve C-130 Flies Into The Eye of Hurricane Florence

[CuriousPilot]

Please let me know if you have any other areas of aviation that you would like covered.
I would really appreciate it if you could like the video and consider subscribing! 😁

[LanceRomanceFE]

Retired USAF here. Flew fighters for 20+ years. I never understood why commercial pilots do not explain the turbulence risk to the panicky passengers. Just tell them they are not in any danger, the aircraft is not under stress and the bumps are just like steps of air where some steps are bigger than others. I’ve been on flights with people screaming and others quoting the Bible yet not one word from the cockpit. A calm voice saying it’s just bumpy, we are not in danger would have been useful.

[chairmanmeow]

I was flying (don't remember where) and it was my first time experiencing bad turbulence. The person sitting next to me was a retired airline pilot, and he was as calm as could be just thumbing through the pages of his magazine. It was very reassuring

[TOPNOTCHIDIOTS]

By the time we hit turbulence I’m too drunk to care.

[jimmyshearer]

I'm a real nervous flyer. I really appreciate the time you took to make this video. Made me feel a lot more comfortable. Cheers

[rexx]

As a kid I discovered a way to alleviate the feeling of bad turbulence. Lift your feet off the floor. Don't let the bottoms of your feet touch the floor. I have no idea why this works but I've been doing it my whole life when turbulence gets bad and it makes the feeling of movement and dropping much less. I've told this to other people and they tried it and said it works. Just spreading the word. Edit - might also help to sit upright and not let your back touch the seat. Arms in your lap. Have as little point of contact with the seat as possible other than your rear end and seat belt.

[steviesteve]

From a lifetime of flying short and long haul, the best mitigation strategy in my experience to manage turbulence is to get hammered and sleep through it.

[Marcel]

I think the problem is that most people can't tell if it's turbulence or if there are any technical problems. I think it would help a lot if pilots would report directly from the cockpit during moderate or severe turbulence and say, "hey guys don't panic everything is ok". In my opinion, pilots oder cabin crew should communicate even more to calm people down, because in the back of the cabin people are screaming and praying, saying goodbye to their loved ones and already see themselves with one foot in the grave, while the pilots are probably just afraid they might spill their coffee and continue to leaf through their newspaper 😉

[subicstationditosailor]

When you see the attendants bring out the drink service I advise you to buckle your seat belt because that is when turbulence starts

[onlyoneam]

A previous boyfriend slept through the worst turbulence I’ve experienced. I’m literally praying and accepting my fate. We landed safely and he wakes up and says “we landed? That was a quick trip” 🙃

[WatPatat]

Seeing the flight attendants smiling through that rough turbulence helps a bit

[thombran]

For me, no matter how much I rationally understand there's no real danger or mechanical concern, whenever turbulence hits it all goes out the window (no pun intended) and panic sets in. It's to the point I panic about the potential panic. I can't fly anymore without heavy medication and I'm gutted at how I'm avoiding flying more as I get older. I've tried everything but I just can't win over the fear..

[benjamenharper]

This video successfully reduced and simultaneously increased my anxiety around this topic.

[simonashworth]

A great video for anyone who is remotely a nervous flier! A coping mechanism I use is to have a bottle of water in the cup holder. In moments of turbulence, I look at how little the water level changes, even though it feels like the movements of the plane are dramatic. The water level changes very little and this is so reassuring

[iamthesurest]

23 years ago I was flying from Mexico City to Vancouver in Japan Airlines and we experienced one of those all-of-sudden drop downs, the fall down lasted around 2-3 seconds, then the aircraft recovered altitude with some difficulty in a not very straight position, which made everyone feel extremely nervous. Thanks to that incident, 23 years later I’m still a nervous flyer. I know that was a very rare situation, but can’t forget that horrible feeling. It felt like MGM The Tower of Terror in the skies. God bless all the flights in the world ❤.

[northbaseuk]

I've been on over 600 flights in a variety of different aircraft ranging from 182s, 208s and 787s. Watching pilots first hand up close on smaller aircraft dealing with turbulence is very reassuring, the plane moves, they respond to counter it. Every time, it's instinctive. To them it's just an everyday occurrence and they wouldn't be sat where they were if they didn't have the skills to deal with it. It's part and parcel of flying so sit back and enjoy the ride.

[hugochka]

I travel quite a lot, but turbulence is that one thing I can't get comfortable with. So thanks for easing it a bit with this video!

[TonyBiancoTonyBianco]

Spending time talking with pilots gives you confidence when flying. After I had lengthy conversations about topics like this one or getting struck by lightning, it’s helped me understand the training, the tech, and the measures they have prepared for such encounters. I’ve never had a of fear of flying, but I did find this video fascinating.

[sepiusolutions]

I've been through major turbulences over the years and it is scary and my first reaction is always "I hope those wings don't break in half" but for the most I am not too concerned when flying but after knowing wings are tested makes me feel more comfortable flying. Thank you for great video and explanation.

[danielroque]

I lived next to a retired WW2/Korean/Vietnam war fighter pilot and became a commercial pilot (he knows flying). Our backyards had a view of incoming planes...We would sit outside enjoying a nice drink and he told me....there are two times a plane is vulnerable, take offs and landings....other then that, sit back relax and enjoy the flight`~RIP Sir, you were a wealth of knowledge, and a humble man~