Almost Everything You Need to Know About Turbulence (From a Pilot)

Is turbulence the one part of flying that still makes your stomach drop?

You're not alone - but the truth is, turbulence is completely normal and nothing to fear, provided a few simple precautions are taken.

I’m Flyman Simon - Airline Captain and Fear of Flying Coach. And I’m here to tell you: Turbulence might feel uncomfortable, but it’s not dangerous for the aircraft.

Your aircraft is designed to handle it. Your pilots are trained to anticipate and manage it. And your seatbelt? It’s the best bit of kit for staying safe during bumps in the sky.

Let’s break it all down - what turbulence is, why it happens, and how pilots deal with it every day.

What Is Turbulence?

In it’s simplest form, Turbulence is caused by air movement slightly changing the amount of lift created by the wings. Think of it like a small boat on a lake when a speedboat passes – the small waves created cause your boat rocks a little, but you're not in danger, the boat won’t just sink. The same thing happens to a plane flying through shifting air currents.

Types of Turbulence and Why They Happen

1. Jet Streams - High-speed air currents at altitude that can cause bumps when aircraft enter or exit them due to the change in airspeed and direction caused by this super-strong current.
2. Thermals - Warm air rising from the ground, especially on hot days, creates light to moderate turbulence due to vertical changes in the airspeed and direction over the wings.
3. Mountain Waves - Air being pushed up and over mountain ranges causes undulating motion for many miles downstream, particularly at altitude where airliners fly.
4. Weather Systems - Storms, pressure changes and large areas of cloud formation can create unstable air masses that once again make the air change in speed and direction.

Is Turbulence Dangerous?

There are two distinct things to consider here. The plane and the passengers.

Plane: Not at all - turbulence is not dangerous to the plane. Commercial aircraft are built to handle far more than anything turbulence can throw at them. Just like a bridge built to hold many times the weight of the vehicles crossing it, planes are over-engineered for strength, flexibility and endurance.

Passengers: For passengers, it’s completely safe as long as you're seated with your seatbelt fastened. This is why pilots keep their own belts fastened throughout the flight - it’s the simplest and most effective way to stay safe.

What if you happen to be out of your seat when turbulence starts? Here's what to do:

• Stay calm
• Steady yourself using seatbacks, overhead lockers, or even the cabin walls
• Return to your seat as soon as it’s safe to do so
• Avoid rushing or panicking - think of it like walking through a moving train carriage when it’s rocking side to side
• 99% of turbulence simply makes you feel unsteady - not unsafe, so don’t panic.

How Aircraft Handle Turbulence

Look out of the window during turbulence and you might see the wings flexing. That’s a sign of strength, not weakness.

Aeroplane wings are built to bend rather than snap - much like a flexible ruler. That flexibility absorbs and disperses the energy from turbulence, keeping you safe and stable.

Aircraft are also tested in simulated extreme conditions as part of the design and manufacturing process. These tests go far beyond the turbulence you'll ever feel in real-world flying.

What Do Pilots Do About Turbulence?

As pilots, our job is to make your flight as smooth and comfortable as possible. We don’t just sit back and wait for turbulence ,we manage it actively.

Here’s how:

• Pre-Flight Planning - We review forecasts and adjust the route (if required) to avoid known turbulent areas.
• In-Flight Adjustments - If it gets bumpy, we’ll climb or descend to find smoother air.
• Turbulence Reports - We get updates from aircraft ahead of us and from ATC (Air Traffic Control) so we can make early decisions to reduce the impact of turbulent areas.
• Seatbelt Sign - Turned on early when turbulence is expected, to keep everyone secure.

Jet Streams: The Bumpy Bonus That Saves Time

Jet Streams are high-altitude river-like tubes of fast-moving air that span hundreds of miles. When we are able to fly within them they help us fly faster and burn less fuel - but they can create turbulence at entry and exit points (this will be explained later). However, once in the jet stream the fast-moving air tends to be smooth and gives the pilots some significant advantages.

Why Pilots Love Jet Streams

Flying with a strong tailwind can dramatically increase ground speed:

Jet streams reduce fuel burn, get you to destination quicker - we just need to manage the bumps around the edges.

Why They Cause Turbulence

It’s all about mixing air at different speeds:

• Imagine an aircraft moving through still air. As it enters a jet stream, it transitions gradually through layers moving at 50, 100, even 150 mph.
• This speed difference between the air layers causes surrounding air to be dragged along for the ride – this mixing creates turbulence.

Once inside the core of the jet stream, the airflow becomes more stable, and the flight smooths out.

Clear Air Turbulence (CAT)

This is the kind of turbulence that can come without warning - no clouds, no storms, just shifting wind speeds at high altitude. It is relatively easy to forecast with modern forecasting, satellite imagery and computer modelling; so pilots know where this is likely to happen.

Once in a while it can occur when not expected, this is why we recommend keeping your seatbelt loosely fastened throughout the flight - even when the seatbelt sign is off.

Reassurance for Nervous Flyers

If turbulence makes you nervous, here’s what I want you to remember:

• Turbulence is normal. It’s the sky’s version of bumps in the road.
• Planes are built for it. More than strong enough to handle it.
• Pilots expect it. We plan for it and adjust to make your flight smoother.
• It has never caused a modern jet to crash. You’re in safe hands.
  The biggest risk? A spilled coffee - so drink up, keep your seatbelt fastened and you’re golden.

Want to Feel Even More Confident When You Fly?

If you found this Blog helpful, there’s so much more you’ll love

• Explore the Turbulence Trio - my complete toolkit to help you feel calm in the air. Includes a 15,000-word eBook, audiobook (narrated by me), and comprehensive workbook to ensure you’ve understood what’s been taught, improving success rates
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Fly Happy, Fly Safe -

Captain Flyman Simon