Turbulence & Flight Sensations

Turbulence is probably the GOAT! Number one in the top ten most frightening parts of flying. A sudden bump, a random shake and those flimsy bending wings leave you petrified. It feels as if the aircraft is struggling to stay in the air. Even when you know that turbulence is normal, your body interprets every movement as evidence that something is going wrong. Even though you kinda expect it.

This chapter explains what causes turbulence, what actually happens to an airplane when it encounters rough air, and why turbulence feels way more dramatic inside the cabin. You’ll learn about different types of turbulence, why planes sometimes suddenly drop, why your stomach feels like it is falling, why aircraft wings bend and flex. And are they really that flimsy? You’ll also learn how pilots deal with turbulent conditions.

You’ll also find answers to some of the questions nervous flyers ask most often: Is turbulence dangerous? Can turbulence crash a plane? Can severe turbulence damage an aircraft? How far does a plane actually drop during turbulence? Why does turbulence feel so scary? Understanding the difference between what the aircraft is actually doing and what your body feels it is doing can make those unfamiliar sensations much easier to interpret.

That Weird Sinking Feeling After Takeoff: Why Airplane Engines Get Quieter After Takeoff

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Takeoff is over. The aircraft has accelerated down the runway, lifted into the air, and started climbing. For a brief moment, everything seems straightforward. The engines are loud. The airplane is gaining altitude. Your brain can easily connect the noise with the feeling of climbing.   The engines suddenly become quieter. The climb feels different […]

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Why Does It Feel Like the Plane Suddenly Dropped

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One moment everything feels fine… You’re watching a movie, pretending you’re definitely not checking the wing every three minutes, maybe even… let’s imagine relaxing a little.   And then a sudden sinking. Stomach drops, heart jumps into your throat. Every muscle in your body tightens. For a split second it feels as if the airplane

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