why they occur and which are the most dangerous

Las turbulence They are the main problem among those who are afraid of flying. The sudden movements, some unexpected, and the lack of knowledge lead us to imagine the worst case scenarios.

News such as the terrible turbulence suffered by the Singapore Airlines plane, which was traveling from the United Kingdom to Singapore, further triggers fears and reluctance to fly: due to severe turbulence, this plane ended up with 30 people injured and one passenger died.

Therefore, usually when the light signal turns on and a cabin crew member requests that the passengers fasten their seat belt, a moment of tension and nervousness for many.

Many questions come to mind: Can the hustle and bustle break any important part of the plane? Can a plane crash when passing through an area of ​​turbulence? The answer is a no resounding by the specialists. Let’s see the reasons.

To feel more relieved in these moments, which are extremely common during a flight, you must understand what is this phenomenon.

As can be read on the website of the Spanish airline Iberia, technically, the turbulence is a product of the disorderly movement to a greater or lesser extent from the particles of the air, which causes disturbances in the form of windmills.

Turbulence is produced as a consequence of different weather situations – the most common are clouds – and they can be classified into different categories.

• Thermal turbulence: due to rising currents of hot air.

• Mechanical turbulence: due to the friction of air with obstacles.

• mountain waves: when a mass of air is forced to rise when it hits a mountain.

• of wake: generated by the airplanes themselves at the ends of the wings.

• Turbulence in clear air: occurs at high altitude and, generally, without the presence of clouds. They are usually found on the border of two air masses that move at different speeds.

Furthermore, “in very few places on the planet, there are wind shear, seen at the Denver airport for example. There are pressure sensors to detect it. “The pilots train in simulators to get out of these shocks in the event of a landing,” says Claudio Plá, a psychiatrist and expert on fear of flying.

Turbulence can also be classified according to its intensity:

• Turbulence light: slight movements. Objects can move, but the cabin crew continues to work normally.

• Turbulence moderate: the plane may undergo a change in altitude but it is almost imperceptible. The same with speed. The crew has a hard time walking through the aisles of the plane.

• Turbulence severe: very unusual and is the one that the Singapore Airlines plane had to cross. Large changes in altitude and variation in speed are noted. Those who are not wearing their seat belts can be hit. Objects can fall to the ground.

“The turbulence does not affect the plane. It is made to withstand storms. In fact, planes leave from the National Hurricane Center in Miami and enter the hurricane to measure the intensity,” says Plá, who has been taking courses to confront the fear of flying for 30 years (podervolar.org) and defines turbulence. in general terms as “discomfort”.

The vast majority of turbulence can be detect in advance and therefore, prevent. But for that, it is necessary that they contain suspended particles. The big problem of clear air turbulence is that it cannot be detected.

Pilots have different types of information to be able to take the route with fewer movements and make changes if necessary.

“Pilots receive information from many sources. The airports have their meteorological centers, the air traffic controllers have information about other planes that are in the area and they report how the weather is,” describes Plá.

And he adds: “Each plane has a weather radar which allows the pilot to see clouds 600 miles away and in three colors (green for water vapor; yellow for rain; red for ice crystals). You can choose to go over, to the side, under or go back, which is not usual. “They also receive a satellite report during the flight to see if there were changes to the chosen route.”

All passengers should understand that turbulence can occur on any flight and, in general, They are not dangerous for the aircraft.

It is recommended to always have the seat belt fastened by movements that cannot be prevented.

“Turbulence does not affect the functionality of the plane. A storm does not bring down airplanes. “Those most likely to have an accident during turbulence are the cabin attendants who are not always wearing their seat belts because they are assisting the passengers.”

Those who are scared by these movements should choose seats located in the front of the plane.

“The turbulence they feel more from the wing back. This has to do with the tail rudder. If there is turbulence and side winds, those winds move the tail rudder and the people behind have a little more shaking,” warns Plá.

Knowledge about the state of the routes also helps calm nervousness. On flights that cross mountains or crosses the Ecuador linewhat is called the intertropical belt, it is common to experience movements.

On the other hand, there are courses for those who are afraid of flying, in which information is provided about airplanes, meteorology, safety, among other topics, and different techniques are taught so that fear is not a limitation.

“The plane is the means of transportation safer “Flying is synonymous with pleasure and freedom,” closes Plá.