AirAmericaC46 From United States, joined Mar 2004, 590 posts, RR: 1 Posted (1 year 4 months 3 days 9 hours ago) and read 9934 times:
From my understanding: there are only 3 types of turbulence: mild, moderate and severe. MILD is when it feels like you are on a car travelling on a rough road or on rolling hills and humps MODERATE means you are experiencing a fall like on a roller coaster ride or when you're away from the fulcrum (wings) at the back or front and the plane sways up and down like seesaw or sideways making lot of people vomit, then SEVERE is when you are not wearing a seatbelt and you thrown to the ceiling (G-force) and people will be obviously screaming!! Corrections to my comments appreciated.
Now here's another question: What is your most turbulent flight ever?-----I need the type of aircraft, airline, routing and stage of flight you are in during the turbulence.
Another question: Have you noticed more turbulences this decade (global warming?) compared to 2 decades ago?
AA767LOVER From Guatemala, joined Aug 2007, 395 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (1 year 4 months 3 days 8 hours ago) and read 9916 times:
If you look at yahoo canada webpage, there was a bizarre incident on Westjet from YYC-YHZ. Read up on it. Then you folks decide on the grade of turbulence. I've had a rather rocky turbulence in which the plane dropped some hundred feet, or could have been more. I can't remember too much. Just remember that it was on CP from YVR-YYC in 1990. The last really rocky one before that was on an AC DC-9 from YYZ-YYT (1985).
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Viscount724 From Switzerland, joined Oct 2006, 7401 posts, RR: 1 Reply 2, posted (1 year 4 months 3 days 8 hours ago) and read 9862 times:
Quoting AirAmericaC46 (Thread starter): From my understanding: there are only 3 types of turbulence: mild, moderate and severe.
FAA definitions of turbulence intensity as follows. There are more than 3.
Light Chop. Slight, rapid, and somewhat rhythmic bumpiness without appreciable changes in altitude or attitude.
Light Turbulence. Slight, erratic changes in altitude and/or attitude. Occupants may feel a slight strain against seatbelts. Unsecured objects may be displaced slightly. Food service may be conducted and little to no difficulty is encountered in walking.
Moderate Chop. Rapid bumps or jolts without appreciable changes in aircraft altitude or attitude.
Moderate Turbulence. Changes in altitude and/or attitude occur but the aircraft remains in positive control at all times. It usually causes variations in indicated airspeed. Occupants feel definite strain against seatbelts. Unsecured objects are dislodged. Food service and walking are difficult.
Severe. Large, abrupt changes in altitude and/or attitude. Usually causes large variations in indicated airspeed. Aircraft may be momentarily out of control. Occupants are forced violently against seatbelts. Unsecured objects are tossed about. Food service and walking are impossible.
Extreme. Aircraft is violently tossed about and is practically impossible to control. May cause structural damage.
777ER From New Zealand, joined Dec 2003, 8957 posts, RR: 14 Reply 3, posted (1 year 4 months 3 days 8 hours ago) and read 9829 times:
From AirAmericaC46s understanding of turbulance, worst I've been in was moderate. Last month on the 20th on an AirTran flight from DTW-ATL on a B717. Just after take off from DTW, there was tunder and lightning and we basically had to fly throu it. The aircraft was certainly getting throwen about with small drops in alititude. Another less severe turbulance was on an NZ flight from MEL-AKL on an A320 in August 2005. The aircraft was still getting throwen about with slightly less drops in altitude, but they were still noticable
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Mop357 From United States, joined Mar 2007, 61 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (1 year 4 months 3 days 8 hours ago) and read 9808 times:
I was on an AA 752 flying from KIN to JFK. The date was 12/31/04. We took off from Jamaica, flew over Cuba and then continued north. Then I remember the airplane started to shake slightly. Then it got worst to the point where it felt like something was physically outside hitting the plane. I would say the turbulence ranged from Moderate to Severe. Then when I thought it could not get any worst, the airplane took a dip. I don't know how much we fell but it did not feel good. I remember the pilot turned up the engines and even changed altitude. Nothing seemed to worked though. At that time I did not know too much about airplanes as to how much turbulence they can take as I do now, so that flight scared the crap out of me. It kept me from flying for a few months.
I cannot remember flights from last decade too well.
Another question: Do you think turbulance is worst in the Winter or Summer?
Iaddca From United States, joined Jul 2007, 238 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (1 year 4 months 3 days 7 hours ago) and read 9759 times:
IAD-OAK on B6 in March 2006, had to fly through t-storms over the Detroit area. Felt like the plane was out of control, as if it were fishtailing down an steep, icy hill. But being on B6, I checked the map and the weather channel on LiveTV, and saw that the western edge of the cloud cover was right around Grand Rapids, and that the weather all the way from Milwaukee to San Fran was clear, so I just kept reading my book calmly while a few pax let out some pretty loud yells.
WhatUsaid From United States, joined Feb 2007, 304 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (1 year 4 months 3 days 7 hours ago) and read 9736 times:
On Golden West, FAT-TVL on a Dash 7. When ceiling panels fall....it's bad. A number of people were slammed against windows, etc... Wasn't fun. Also explains why TVL is a tough one for airline service.
ZBBYLW From Canada, joined Nov 2006, 1551 posts, RR: 3 Reply 7, posted (1 year 4 months 3 days 7 hours ago) and read 9726 times:
Quoting Mop357 (Reply 4): Do you think turbulance is worst in the Winter or Summer?
Usually winter due to the higher winds which usually effect the turbulance.
Most turbulence I have ever encountered was in a C152, I was landing in YLW with a 25ish kt x wind component, winds where 35G45KT I believe it was... GFA's said there was Moderate to Severe Turbulence all around the mountains. There were only two light a/c to fly that day me and one of my flight instructors who was supposed to fly to YKA but only made it 10 minutes north before calling it quits, students where feeling ill. I was sitting on the ramp right on the approach to 16 for those of you familiar with YLW and saw a Pilatus struggle to get it down. I thought it looked like a fun day to go flying. After seeing a WS 737-700 and an AC A319 have very interesting approaches I knew I had to go up. When I called GND to request my taxi he repeated GONF just confirm you want to taxi out for circuits with wind XXXXX, I said affirm thats the reason I am coming out, he replied well some people like to have fun... Long story short after my 4th circuit I got a call from TWR asking me to come down because the CFI came in and was wondering what the hell one of his a/c where doing, doing circuits. Oh well all I have to say was that was the best circuits I have ever done, if you feel comfortable, and I do mean comfortable, do try and push yourself as you will learn quite alot by doing so. Disclaimer- If you do not feel comfortable doing so, stay on the ground.
JerseyGuy From United States, joined Oct 2005, 506 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (1 year 4 months 3 days 7 hours ago) and read 9716 times:
Based on the OPs Defination, I would say I experienced moderate turbulence on landing on B6 102 OAK-JFK (3/5/07 if anyone else was on that flight) that was due to high winds. I was a bit nauseous, not so much that I thought I'd throw up but still. We were being bounced around good, and I couldn't have been more happy to land.
To me that looks like Moderate Turbulence as far as what the actual video shows.
From Viscount754: Moderate Turbulence. Changes in altitude and/or attitude occur but the aircraft remains in positive control at all times. It usually causes variations in indicated airspeed. Occupants feel definite strain against seatbelts. Unsecured objects are dislodged. Food service and walking are difficult.
Severe: Large, abrupt changes in altitude and/or attitude. Usually causes large variations in indicated airspeed. Aircraft may be momentarily out of control. Occupants are forced violently against seatbelts. Unsecured objects are tossed about. Food service and walking are impossible.
That is my personal opinion from watching that video, who knows what happened before it was taken however.
C680 From United States, joined Apr 2005, 343 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (1 year 4 months 3 days 7 hours ago) and read 9671 times:
An very experienced senior capt. once told me that, "It aint' Severe until you hit your head - HARD!"
Severe means the plane is just on the verge of being out of control. That means drink carts are going in the air, and anyone not wearing a seatbelt just became the feathers of a sorority girl pillow fight.
Very few people have been in severe turbulence - but I do believe a lot of people *think* they have been in severe.
Another common statement from passengers is: "We dropped at least 500 feet!" Doubtful. Folks 500 feet is 50 story building. Thats more than a few seconds of freefall, or if you're in a plane, being plastered to the ceiling for a few seconds. Not many people survive jumping off a 50 story building. Now you may have dropped 10 feet very, very quickly - I believe that -and it will feel like you dropped 500 feet, but unless you are looking at an altimeter, you really have no way of knowing.
LY204 From United States, joined Aug 2007, 61 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (1 year 4 months 3 days 7 hours ago) and read 9657 times:
Quoting C680 (Reply 11): Very few people have been in severe turbulence - but I do believe a lot of people *think* they have been in severe.
Interesting...based on your description, I suspect that I have been in moderate turbulence -- in over the 300+ flights that I have been on, however, this by far was the scariest.
In July 1990, I was on an El Al 747-200 from Montreal to Tel Aviv...shortly after takeoff, the pilot very calmly indicated that we "might hit a little bit of turbulence." About an hour further into the flight, the plane started to shake violently, the plane then dropped for what felt like an eternity (probably for about 10 seconds)...people were screaming at the top of their lungs. Overhead compartments opened up and bags started to fall into the aisles...and people were throwing up left and right.
The turbulence subsided in about an hour (the worst of it probably was for only about 10 or 15 minutes), but it was a flight I will never forget...
Drewwright From United States, joined May 2001, 612 posts, RR: 1 Reply 13, posted (1 year 4 months 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 9592 times:
Just finished a trip that hit severe turbulence. DFW-JFK on the 5th. The turbulence was for the most part moderate at first. Everybody was seated no big deal. We were at 38k when we went through the leading edge of a thunderstorm overhang (Anvil). The capt couldnt see it until it was too late. I was sitting in row 18 and the plane dropped and banked 45 degrees. The other passengers were doing the typical ohhhh awwwee uhhhh woooowwws.. Kinda scary to hear it actually. When all was said and done, both galleys had coffee on the ceiling and a unflushed toilet had urine on the floor and walls.. It only lasted about 30 seconds but it was pretty intense. I was watching the wings being warp from the wind gusts myself. The strangest part was you would hear the wind change speed in the cabin as we passed though different layers. Sounded like a whoosh in the up and downdrafts.
Jetjeanes From United States, joined Oct 2004, 1255 posts, RR: 0 Reply 14, posted (1 year 4 months 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 9575 times:
In November of 1972 we were enroute from Mem to Mia,,, with stops in Bhm and Mco. We were unaware of the Bhm stop, But those 2 singers Donny and Marie Osmond and a woman were the ony ones to get on, No jetways.
about 15 minutes after take off the captn said he was going to turn back north because of bad weather and go around the front and asked us to fasten our seat belts, We were getting a pretty good chop anyway, and Im sure he was hand flying at this point the plane banked right then left and i could tell the nose was downward.
Then for about 2 or 3 seconds My hands and drink started a floating type motion going upward. Then bam everthing that wasnt tied slamed down on the floor, drinks, and Bags were falling on passengers, I cant remember but the overhead bins on those first dc-9s i dont think had doors on them.The engines would power up and go back down constantly..We were up and down for a good 20 minutes,and the captn came on and apoligized when it smoothed out,,
But i had looked up once and that donny osmond was sqeeling like little girl.. We landed at the old Mco and hundreds of
fans were out on the roof of the airport of this army base waveing at him and her and he was just smileing,,, I wish those fans had seen him 30 minutes earlier...lol
Both the captn and Cp got off and did a walk around and we could see them checking for wing damage and inspecting
it closly I guess from maybe hail??
LAXdude1023 From United States, joined Sep 2006, 3397 posts, RR: 11 Reply 18, posted (1 year 4 months 2 days 17 hours ago) and read 9235 times:
Ive had severe turbulence once out of approx. 400,000 miles of flying. The only way I know it was severe is because the pilot told me at the end of the flight that it was. I suppose that he would know because he said that in 30 years of flying it was the worst he had encountered. It was a horrible experiance. The plane felt like it was on its side at one point. Not sure if it really was, but it sure felt like it. It lasted 5 min.
Mop357 From United States, joined Mar 2007, 61 posts, RR: 0 Reply 19, posted (1 year 4 months 2 days 17 hours ago) and read 9220 times:
Quoting LAXdude1023 (Reply 18): Ive had severe turbulence once out of approx. 400,000 miles of flying. The only way I know it was severe is because the pilot told me at the end of the flight that it was. I suppose that he would know because he said that in 30 years of flying it was the worst he had encountered. It was a horrible experiance. The plane felt like it was on its side at one point. Not sure if it really was, but it sure felt like it. It lasted 5 min.
Snaiks From Panama, joined Mar 2005, 201 posts, RR: 0 Reply 20, posted (1 year 4 months 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 8636 times:
Quoting AirAmericaC46 (Thread starter): here's another question: What is your most turbulent flight ever?-----I need the type of aircraft, airline, routing and stage of flight you are in during the turbulence.
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