Even though turbulence is a common part of flying, it can still place passengers and the flight crew on edge. It’s concerning to feel the aircraft shaking while it’s soaring around 40,000 feet in the air, and depending on the turbulence’s severity, things can get intense really fast. Fortunately, pilots are trained to deal with all kinds of turbulence situations and can assure everyone on the plane that they’ll get through it without a hitch.
Nevertheless, some pilots lose their cool under pressure, making them more susceptible to forgetting the standard operating procedures (SOPs) when dealing with turbulence. In this article, we’ll explore some tips that pilots can use to handle turbulence situations, some of which can be taught and honed in a pilot school in the Philippines.
Prioritize Safety
As a pilot, your primary responsibility is the safety and well-being of your passengers and crew. Therefore, when faced with turbulence, always prioritize safety above all else. This means adhering to SOPs and making decisions that minimize risks to the aircraft and its occupants. With safety as your top priority, you can ensure that you, your crew, and your passengers will safely navigate through any turbulent conditions.
Inform Passengers
Passengers may feel anxious or concerned when experiencing turbulence because they aren’t fully aware of what’s going on. Keeping them informed can help alleviate their fears and maintain a sense of calm onboard the aircraft. When communicating with your passengers, it’s essential to keep things clear and transparent. Demonstrating genuine authenticity fosters trust between passengers and the flight crew. It also allows passengers to mentally prepare themselves for turbulence and understand what to expect.
With these in mind, it’s essential to use clear and reassuring language to explain the nature of the turbulence. You should also provide advance notice if turbulence is expected, either through pre-flight announcements or during the flight briefing. Ensure to update the passengers during the flight if turbulence becomes more intense or if there are changes to the flight plan. Finally, reassure passengers that turbulence is a normal part of flying and that you have a plan to safely navigate through it.
Turn the Seatbelt Sign On
The seatbelt sign serves as a visual cue for passengers to remain seated and securely fasten their seatbelts, reducing the risk of injury in the event of unexpected turbulence. That’s why it’s important to promptly turn on the seatbelt sign to alert passengers to the possibility of turbulence ahead. Keep the seatbelt sign illuminated until the aircraft has safely passed through the turbulent area. Monitor the severity of turbulence and adjust the seat belt sign as needed to maintain passenger safety. Additionally, encourage passengers to remain seated and avoid unnecessary movement in the cabin until everything is clear.
Keep the Autopilot On
While it may be tempting to disengage the autopilot and manually control the aircraft, keeping the autopilot engaged can actually enhance safety and stability, especially during moderate to severe turbulence. The autopilot system is designed to respond quickly to changes in aircraft altitude and airspeed, helping to stabilize the aircraft during turbulent conditions. This means that it can make small, precise adjustments to maintain the desired flight path, reducing the workload on the pilot. With the autopilot left on, you can place more focus on monitoring the situation. However, you should still be prepared to manually intervene if necessary to ensure everyone’s safety.
Communicate with Air Traffic Control (ATC)
Maintaining communication with air traffic control (ATC) is crucial during turbulence. ATC can provide you with valuable information about weather conditions, nearby aircraft, and alternative flight paths, helping you make informed decisions and navigate through turbulent areas safely. If you encounter any turbulence during your flight, inform ATC and request updates on weather conditions along the planned route.
If you’re experiencing turbulence, be prepared to provide ATC with updates on the severity and any changes to the flight plan. Request assistance from ATC if needed, such as rerouting to an alternate airport or coordinating with other aircraft in the vicinity. Furthermore, follow ATC’s instructions regarding altitude changes, route deviations, or other necessary adjustments to avoid turbulent areas.
Make Necessary In-Flight Adjustments
When encountering turbulence, it’s often necessary to make in-flight adjustments to maintain control of the aircraft and minimize the effects of turbulent airflow. Making timely and appropriate adjustments to speed, altitude, and flight path ensures that you can safely navigate through turbulent conditions. Adjust the airspeed to a suitable level that provides stability while minimizing the effects of turbulence. Consider changing the altitude to find smoother air and reduce the intensity of turbulence. If the situation calls for it, make slight course deviations to avoid areas of known turbulence—you can also follow ATC instructions for rerouting, as mentioned earlier.
Use the Onboard Weather Radar and Detection Systems
Modern aircraft are equipped with advanced weather radar and detection systems that provide real-time information about atmospheric conditions, including areas of turbulence. Using these onboard systems helps you identify turbulent areas ahead of time and make informed decisions about navigation and flight path adjustments. You might need to adjust the radar settings to optimize the detection of turbulence and other hazardous weather phenomena. You must also monitor the weather radar continuously to identify areas of convective activity, which are often associated with turbulence.
Use the information provided by the weather radar to navigate around turbulent areas whenever possible. Additionally, cross-reference the onboard weather radar data with reports from air traffic control and other aircraft to verify the presence of turbulence.
Navigating through turbulence is a common challenge that many pilots face, but with the right strategies and techniques, it can be managed effectively. By following these essential tips, you can confidently navigate through turbulence and uphold the highest standards of safety and professionalism in the skies.