I’m an airline captain – here’s what really goes on in when we hit turbulence

MOST frequent fliers have experienced turbulence while on a plane – but have you ever wondered what the pilots are doing when it hits?

A veteran pilot has explained what exactly goes on in the cockpit when the plane hits a patch of turbulence.

3

3

Pilot Doug Morris flew planes for Air Canada for decades, most often using the Boeing Dreamliner.

To avoid turbulence, pilots use various bits of technology to detect and avoid the bumps.

But not all turbulence can be avoided, and when it strikes, it can be terrifying.

Captain Morris said: “When the bumps increase from jiggles to jolts, we’re entering the realm of turbulence.

“That’s when a pilot comes out of their happy stupor, especially when they hear other pilots on the radios describing the bumps as turbulence instead of chop.”

When turbulence initially hits, you’ll see the seat belt sign turned on, and flight attendants will stop serving hot drinks.

Pilots begin to find ways to make the ride smoother, Morris said, which may mean flying higher or lower.

If turbulence becomes moderate, passengers usually stop talking out of fear.

During moderate turbulence, flight attendants put away carts and begin securing the cabin, Morris said.

Morris explained severe turbulence makes stakes higher: “That’s when you may hear a scream or two.

“Pilot voices have escalated several octaves on the radios. There will be paperwork to fill out.”

The veteran pilot explained that often, the only way out of turbulence is often continuing to fly through it.

If a plane was to divert every time they hit a rough patch, it could add hours to the trip, and deplete fuel supplies.

But there’s good news for nervous fliers: Morris says turbulence is only dangerous if passengers don’t wear their seatbelts.

One pilot revealed the truth about turbulence that would turn most fliers away from taking to the skies.

Pilot Eser Askan said: “With severe turbulence, we don’t control the plane.

“That doesn’t mean it’s going to flip upside down or anything, it’s just not in our control at that moment, but it’s still flying.”

Eser said although some may get hurt during bad bouts of turbulence, the airplanes are usually completely undamaged.

A plane flying from Vancouver to Sydney was forced to land in 2019 after hitting turbulence so severe that 37 passengers had to seek medical attention.

Nine of the 37 injured passengers had to be rushed to hospital immediately after landing in Hawaii.

Last year, a plane flying across the Atlantic hit violent turbulence, with one girl breaking her nose.

Those onboard recalled the screams of terror as the passengers were jolted awake by the sudden rough patch.

3