What Happens Inside The Cockpit During Turbulence?

Fly through Turbulence Worry-free: Enlighten Yourself with Incredible Knowledge 

No doubt taking a flight is one of the overwhelming experiences, but there are times when you might encounter turbulence on the flight. This might prompt you to consider what is actually happening inside the cockpit, how the pilots are feeling, how they plan to manage, and what comes next. But to your relief, the pilots are well-trained to manage the turbulence, and they will take every step to ensure your safety in the sky, aiming for a safe landing as well. However, to understand the fundamental points regarding the situation in the cockpit during turbulence, you are reading the correct post. So, without any delay, let's delve in. 

What is turbulence? 

Turbulence is a phenomenon that causes sudden jolts during a flight, often accompanied by changes in the aircraft's altitude. The reason behind turbulence is the irregular and chaotic movement of air. Turbulence is like a car hitting a pothole or travelling through bumps, but not on the road, in the sky. Turbulence can be of different types: from light bumps to moderate to severe to extreme turbulence, where you might experience significant or abrupt changes. 

What are the common reasons behind causing turbulence?  

The occurrence of turbulence may vary depending on various factors. Additionally, the intensity of these factors may exacerbate the effect of turbulence. Thus, it is important to know the factors behind the turbulence on the flights: 

Mechanical Turbulence  

• The primary reason for mechanical turbulence is air hitting the ground, particularly man-made objects like buildings. This leads to the birth of eddies, resulting in turbulence in the lower levels. The strength of the wind, the stability of the air, and the surface's nature are responsible for the intensity of the eddy motion.  

Frontal Turbulence 

• Frontal turbulence occurs when warm air encounters cold air masses. When frontal turbulence occurs, you may experience abrupt wind shifts, which can exacerbate the turbulence by creating bumpy air. The warm air, with its moist and unstable features, elevates the frontal turbulence effect. It may worsen when a thunderstorm occurs.  

 Thermal Turbulence 

• Thermal turbulence is most pronounced during the daytime, when the Earth's surface experiences uneven rays from the Sun. The thermal turbulence might lead to the deviation of the path while landing, which might cause the overshoot or undershoot of the runway.  To avoid such thermal turbulence on the flight, most pilots want to fly the flight early in the morning or in the evening. 

Mountain Waves 

• The downwind from the mountain ridges is the prominent reason for the turbulence. The extreme mountain waves might cause the breakup of the aircraft. or a change in the altitude. The strong currents of the mountain waves can cause the loss of aircraft control; therefore, when facing mountain waves, wearing a seatbelt is essential. 

What Happens Inside The Cockpit During Turbulence? 

For the flyers, turbulence might be a nightmare, but for the pilots sitting in the cockpit, it's not an unfamiliar situation. In the cockpit, the effect of the turbulence is less than it feels to the passengers. Also, when the turbulence hits the aircraft, the pilot acts fast and starts analysing the instruments to get the readings, preparing to tackle the situation. Moreover, the pilot initiates the turbulence penetration speed and connects with the air traffic control, ensuring a smooth flight. 

How does the pilot manage the turbulence? 

With the experience the pilots have, the situation in the cockpit remains calm, which allows them to make the right decision, favouring the safety of the passengers. Moreover, for a better understanding of the path to navigate through the turbulence by the pilot, can be seen in the following lines: 

• Prior information: Weather reports are provided to pilots before the flight's departure. This helps the pilots to understand the actual situation for the planned route. The prior briefing gives them time to avoid the inconvenience coming ahead. 
• Seat belt: Once the passengers board the flight, they are asked to wear the seat belts, which is necessary for their safety, especially when the aircraft is dealing with turbulence. 
• Managing the altitude: Based on the type of turbulence, the pilot makes adjustments to the altitude with the permission of the air traffic control. This might result in changes to the planned climbing or descent.  
• Communication between pilots and passengers: Clear communication between pilots and passengers helps them escape turbulence. With precise communication, you can reassure passengers who are panicking during turbulence. 

Conclusion 

To begin with, while reaching your dream place, if you ever feel jolted or a shift in the air, it is because of the turbulence. It might be scary for you, but when it comes to the pilot, turbulence is not tricky to manage for them. Additionally, the aircraft is designed to handle turbulence without disrupting your peace. However, the pilots approach a few steps that help them overcome the turbulence. Hence, when you catch your next flight and encounter turbulence, trust your pilot and follow their instructions.  Have a safe trip!