Air flights for many modern people became habitual. However there are among us and those who still to be afraid to fly by plane. One of the frequent causes of aero phobias – sudden strong vibrations. To win against the fears, it is important to find out in advance whether the turbulence is dangerous to the plane and what turbulence consequences on the plane can be.
What means turbulence?
Everyone who only plans to go by plane or already so traveled not once, knows what is a turbulence zone. It is accepted to understand such physical properties of the atmosphere at which constantly there are changes of pressure, temperature, the direction and speed of wind as this term. For this reason air masses on structure and density become non-uniform. When the plane passes through them at great speed, there is a vibration causing unpleasant feelings.
Sometimes such phenomenon as turbulence arises at the clear sky, but a thicket in the conditions of overcast, during the movement of the plane through the sea. Generally it is easy to predict it. Pilots report about the forthcoming vibrations in advance, advising passengers to take the places and to fasten seat belts. It is necessary to follow all instructions as during strong jolting it is possible to suffer serious injuries.
Turbulence of the clear sky - what is it?
One of main types of atmospheric turbulence in aircraft the zone of turbulence of the clear sky is considered. It, in difference from other types, can arise not at considerable overcast, and at the clear sky or a small amount of clouds of the top tier. Distinctive characteristic consists in lack of strong indications of turbulence. For this reason not easy to find it in advance not only visually, and and even with use of the radar.
What occurs at turbulence?
For the first time told what is turbulence at the end of the 19th century Englishman Reynolds. He paid attention that at increase of flow rate in the air, or water environment there are chaotic wave or vortex formations. It occurs for the reason that the molecules of air located in different atmospheric layers have the different sizes and density.
At the same time there are zones with temperature differences and changes of pressure. In different layers also the speed of an air flow is non-uniform. All these differences also become the causes of such phenomenon as strong turbulence. When the plane gets to a turbulent flow, it as if gets to an air pocket. At the same time the case begins to vibrate, and in the salon there is so-called "bumpiness".
What does the air pocket differ from turbulence in?
Not all passengers of planes know, than the turbulence and air pockets differ. The turbulence arises at increase in speed of a current of gas and waves which are spontaneously formed. Air pockets it is considered to be pressure differences at which the plane gets to the descending air flow forcing it to reduce the vertical speed of rise. At the same time descending is followed by the ascending air flow and everything repeats.
Why there is a turbulence on the plane?
There is a lot of reasons for which there is a strong turbulence on the plane. Among the main:
- Turbulence from faces of wings.
- Uneven warming up of air.
- Meeting of air masses with different temperature.
- Jet currents which speed can change in the horizontal and vertical directions.
Turbulence of the clear sky - the reason
Such dangerous phenomenon can arise not only at strong overcast. The turbulence of a clear sky is sometimes observed. Pilots state such main reasons for this phenomenon:
- High-rise jet currents – represent narrow streams of strong wind which have hundreds of kilometers in width and thousands in length, and down – from two to four kilometers. Often they arise because of a temperature difference and move ahead from the West on the East.
- Leeward waves – the air over mountains and zones of a thunderstorm which is pushed out up is capable to cause gravitational waves. The turbulence over mountains is the frequent phenomenon as here big air masses face.
- Cumulus cumulonimbus clouds are followed by powerful movements of air. At distance of thirty five kilometers from them there can be a turbulence of the clear sky.
What is the turbulence dangerous to the plane by?
Before getting into the plane, inexperienced aviatravellers often ask a question what is turbulence and what the turbulence is dangerous by. During design of design loads this parameter is considered therefore the bigger margin of safety and reliability even on the most unpredictable situations is put. However experienced pilots always strongly recommend to observe safety measures if necessary. Otherwise it is possible to suffer:
- To suffer serious injuries. Cases when at strong "bumpiness" of passengers even threw out from their chairs are recorded, and they got injuries and fractures.
- To be injured as a result of falling of the suitcases which are over chairs.
Whether planes from turbulence fall?
Having an aero phobia before a new travel on the aircraft want to make sure as far as there can be dangerous a zone of turbulence and whether it can become the plane crash reason. Pilots assure that the design of modern planes can sustain even the strongest wind gusts. At the same time the case and all parts of the aircraft will remain whole.
Statistics says that for the last twenty five years there was no case of plane crash because of hit of the plane in a turbulence zone. Though theoretically such danger can be as each design has the limit of power, and strong heavy wind during landing and take-off is capable to strike the plane in the earth. However there are special standards according to which the pilot will have to leave on spare airfield not to risk.
Whether the plane can destroy turbulence?
It is possible to get rid of phobias, having learned what can be consequences of turbulence and whether such phenomenon is capable to destroy the plane. Aircraft designers assure that modern aircraft so powerful that, even hitting dangerous turbulence, are capable to remain whole. Unpleasant consequences can expect passengers of the plane if they are not on the places at this time and will ignore instructions of stewards.
How does the turbulence influence passengers?
Not to be afraid of flights, it is important to each beginning aviatraveller to understand whether the turbulence in flight is dangerous. From skilled passengers and pilots it is possible to hear that this phenomenon though unpleasant, but is safe at flights. However, not to be traumatized, at the forecast of a zone of turbulence it is important to follow all instructions of stewards and to observe tranquility.
How to behave at turbulence?
If at hit of the plane in a turbulence zone the air passengers do not implement the recommendation of crew, there is a probability to be injured. The danger of turbulence is that aviatravellers can drop out of the chairs. So, to avoid similar situations, at turbulence it is necessary:
- To be in the place.
- To be fastened throughout all flight.
- Regiments and luggage office have to be closed, sliding tables on the places.
How not to be afraid of turbulence?
Happens so that fear of turbulence on the plane becomes a reason for refusal of an aviatravel. However before following the tastes of the phobia, perhaps, the best decision will be from it to get rid and in the future to enjoy flights. To all who to be afraid of a turbulence zone, psychologists recommend:
- For itself to find out what is turbulence and as far as it is dangerous to the plane.
- To learn how it is necessary to behave if the plane appeared in a turbulence zone.
- To talk with acquaintances, relatives or aviatravellers to forums which had to hit turbulence.
- If necessary to find for itself(himself) a way which will give to confidence during vibrations of the plane. It can be the song, a melody, reminiscence, a prayer.
- To make the first flights with relatives or relatives. A great option will fly with the person who often travels by plane.
- At strong fear of flights to consult with the experienced psychotherapist in advance.
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