Aviation Stack Exchange
Aviation Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [turbulence]

Questions about air turbulence, clear air turbulence, or other air movements that cause loss of control and discomfort in flight

For an introduction to turbulence in relation to aviation, see What is turbulence, and how does it happen? . The Wikipedia page on Turbulence is about turbulent flow in all of physics, not specifically about air turbulence in aviation.

See also:

  • for artificial turbulence created by the wake of another aircraft (you almost never need to use both tags together)
  • for large-scale movements of air which aren't necessarily turbulent
  • for how aircraft interact with the air in general
  • , an activity where turbulence is common
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Feeling of falling during turbulence

I was on a flight recently that went through turbulence that had me convinced I was about to die. To be clear, I love flying. I find the sound of a pressurized air plane cabin to be very relaxing. I like to look out the window whenever possible,…
ItsMeMarieee
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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 passed an A380 opposite direction at FL350, one…
Daniele Procida
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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)?
Firee
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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 certain displacement is not noticeable?
Daniele Procida
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If calculating turbulence is computationally expensive, why not do something simpler?

I understand that people use the RANS/LES equations to calculate how air flows above a wing. But what is the exact formula that people use to derive coefficients like drag / lift after doing these calculations? Do people do these calculations just…
Curtis Chong
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Why is the air smoother when you get above the cloud base?

Why is it bumpier below where the clouds form and once you get above the bases the air tends to be smoothers?
Name
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How are Hurricane Hunter planes able to withstand G's as high as 6-7 G in turbulence if the plane is only rated for G loads much lower than that?

I found some conflicting reports on the G limit of the WP-3 Orion, but most sources say the G limit is 2.5 or 3 positive G, which would bring the ultimate load up to 3.7-4.5 G (as there is a 50% safety factor). Similar to the ultimate G loading on…
Lars Knowles
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Can new technology help planes dodge turbulence?

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 news indicate the same: Smooth talk: How Qantas is…
Firee
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How to describe turbulence and a plane nosediving in a script

I am a screenwriter whose script takes place aboard a plane. There is extreme turbulence during the flight. And at one point the plane nosedives and almost crashes. I want the instructions that the pilot gives to be as accurate as possible. I am…
Hillary
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Can turbulence happen at landing?

If we exclude wake turbulence, can this turbulence happen at low altitude, for example at landing or take off? How many meters plane drop in turbulence, if that happen at landing, plane will crash or this type of turbulence don´t happen at low…
user707264
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Why does placing one hand on the head track stabilize you during turbulence?

At 0:40, Lufthansa Capt. Joachim Schwarzenberg advises "Whenever we get turbulence and that can always be the case during 11 hours 40 on such a long flight - that is also the flight time - The safest thing to do while in the cabin is to be one with…
user53296
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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 from the rail by Laser Induced Plasma Channel.…
user20435