Flying on an airplane while traveling on vacation is not always associated with pleasant moments. The plane can get into a zone of turbulence and cause panic among passengers. Should you fear a plane crash? And is it worth panicking when turbulence occurs?
Turbulence is a phenomenon when nonlinear formations are formed at a high intensity of gas flows. Outwardly, they look like swirls, appear suddenly without certain prerequisites for this, are chaotic, the amplitude of the formations cannot be controlled. A striking example of this phenomenon is a jet of steam emanating from a boiling kettle. Turbulence at its end is turbulence.
Can turbulence be avoided
The ideal environment for violent air turbulence is gaseous media, less often liquids. The main condition here is a low level of viscosity of the substance. Also, turbulence can provoke closeness to the gas flow of solids with poor streamlining - aerodynamics.
Modern science has not yet learned how to effectively identify the zones where turbulence is formed. Although active work is being carried out in this direction - various situations are modeled, the features of the occurrence of turbulence are being studied. But the instantaneous formation and chaotic nature of the phenomena does not allow to effectively identify them.
Pilots claim that turbulence, or bumpiness, is usually not dangerous, but pilots try to avoid such areas. The plane can get into the turbulence zone both in cloudy weather and in a clear sky. Such phenomena are especially frequent in mountainous regions. The pilots themselves call turbulence turbulence. For an experienced pilot, overcoming such a situation is not a problem, the main thing here is to maintain self-control and control over the control of the aircraft (as it happened with the heroes of the film "Turbulence").
Why turbulence is a concern for aircraft passengers
The fact is that the plane, getting into the zone of atmospheric turbulence, is subjected to impressive loads. Their result can be the destruction of the metal structures of the wings. This is especially dangerous in combination with such a phenomenon as metal fatigue. Aircraft systems may also be affected. Therefore, they undergo a thorough technical control before each flight.
Turbulence for an airplane is like a deep hole in the road. Jumping into it suddenly, the car can seriously damage the chassis, and if it drives carefully, there will be no consequences. It is the same with an airplane, but the turbulence rarely comes as a surprise to a qualified pilot, and even more so it does not lead to a plane crash. Pilots know how to quickly and without consequences bypass the danger zone.
Signs of an airplane getting into turbulence
- Strong shaking.
- Powerful, disordered up and down movements.
- Strong vibration of the wings.
Modern aircraft are getting better every year. Turbulence is not among the top causes of plane crashes. However, passengers can be injured if they leave their seat during turbulence or if loose luggage falls on top of them. Therefore, there are rules of conduct for passengers on the plane that must be followed.
