How much of a flight safety problem does turbulence create?
Mild turbulence does not cause a flight safety problem at all. You may not like it, especially if the flight attendant has just delivered a hot cup of coffee to you. It may cause you to grip your armrest until your knuckles are white. Your heart may beat faster or your stomach may knot up in discomfort. If turbulence gets severe, it could be a flight safety problem. It could cause a structural problem with an airplane. That is why pilots practice and rehearse this very situation twice a year in a simulator. Pilots know that when they experience turbulance it’s time to make some changes not only for flight safety but also for the comfort of their passengers. Pilots are trained to handle this situation in the simulator and also have lots of hands on experience with it as well because it is so common. When I hit turbulence, I simply check in with the air traffic controllers and ask if other pilots have reported smoother altitudes. Then I’ll slow down and go to the altitude where I’m likel
