Turbulence on your flight: Get used to it, because climate change has more and more to do with it. Can you do something yourself to have less trouble with a shaking plane?
Turbulence during a flight is very normal, says Nikki van Luijk, aviation and space technician at TU Delft, to Nu.nl. You often have the first turbulence if you take off from Schiphol. Amsterdam is regularly cloudy and a thick cloud cover ensures turbulent air.
A plane with turbulence flies on waves, says Van Luijk. It is similar to a boat on a wild sea. Warm air rises up and cools down at that height, so that the air can fall again. Because of those movements, the plane can shake and sink down into a vertical ‘fall’. You don’t really fall, but that’s how it feels for the passenger.
That turbulence can often be predicted. Weer radars keep a close eye on the journeys in the air and pilots warn each other, says the aviation technician. Around Bergen there is more chance of turbulence. Pilots try to fly around it, because it is more pleasant for passengers and the crew can work better so that you can get your meal, for example.
Incident of Singapore Airlines is very exceptional
“Sometimes it is impossible to predict, that is what we call Clear-Air Turbulence . It suddenly comes on.” If the device flies in or near a jet stream (a strong wind at about 10 kilometers), wind shear can occur. Windschering is a sudden cover in wind direction and speed.
If you are on the plane without straps, you can be mixed up. The accident on a flight of Singapore Airlines last month was caused by that type of turbulence. That is a very exceptional incident, according to Van Luijk. The man who died was a heart patient. The impact of the turbulence became fatal to him.
“Aircraft have been tested for forces that are heavier than the heaviest turbulence ever measured. Wings are lifted in a test. And with the Boeing B787 they can bend up to 8 meters before they break. An airplane can handle severe turbulence.”
Just like the pilots and crew, they are also trained on turbulence. Passengers can suffer a lot and are often afraid of it.
Choose chair at the center of gravity
If you are afraid of turbulence, you can ensure that you always have your safety belt, even if the light is not on. “On the highway you don’t loosen your belt when it is quiet on the road,” says Nikki van Luijk. “Something can always happen. Turbulence can just set up, so you are safest with your belts.”
Choosing a chair with the wings also helps something. “An airplane is a flexible tube around a center of gravity. If you sit at the center of gravity – close to the wings – you are most stable with turbulence. That doesn’t make a lot of difference.”
Play a game or take a travel tablet
Scenes in which the entire plane sitting with a pale face is over in the puke bag are really not realistic. But those who are sensitive to travel sickness, so also feels sick in a boat or car, also have extra turbulence.
That is the case: your balance ensures that you do not fall while walking. The brain, muscles and eyes have to work together, but if that information is not correct due to sudden movements where you do not see the horizon, the brain cannot properly control the balance. You feel sick, nauseous, weak, dizzy, having to vomit, you become pale or go sweat a lot.
Thuisarts.nl, the health platform of general practitioners, advises to start your journey rested. You will suffer from travel sickness faster if you are tired. Make sure your stomach is filled, but don’t fly with a full stomach. Do not drink alcohol and no carbonated drinks. Listen to music during the flight, breathe calmly, or chew on chewing gum. Reading, writing, gaming or looking at a screen can make travel sickness worse.
Distraction can help, the GPs say: play a game or talk to your fellow passengers. For drugstores, travel tablets can be purchased that contain dramamine. That medicine reduces dizziness and nausea. A neck support can help to sit more comfortably and more stable when the plane is shaken back and forth.
Turbulence is routine work for pilots, Van Luijk knows, but you can really see that they stay sharp. “Injury due to turbulence is really very rare.”
Turbulence on your flight: Get Used to It, because climate Change Means Passengers Will Experience It More and More. Is there anything you can do to suffer less from a shaing plane?
Turbulence Duration A Flight is Very Normal, Nikki van Luijk, Aviation and Aerospace Engineer at TU Delft, Tells Nu.nl. You of experience the first turbulence when twaking off from Schiphol. Amsterdam is often Cloudy and a Thick Cloud Cover Causes Turbulent Air.
An airplane with turbulence flies as it were on waves, says van luijk. It is Similar to a Boat on a Rough Sea. Warm air rises and cools at that altitude, causing the air to sink again. These Movements can caus the plane to shake and drop down in a vertical ‘fall’. You’re Not Really Falling, But That’s How It Feels To The Passenger.
That turbulence is or predictable. Weather Radars Keep A Close Eye On The Movements in the Air and Pilots Warn Each Other, Says The Aviation Engineer. There is a Greater Chance of Turbulence Around Mountains. Pilots Try to Fly around it, because it is more pleasant for passengers and the crew can work better, so that you can get your meal, for example.
Singapore Airlines Incident is very exceptional
“Sometimes it cannot be predicted, we call that clear-air turbulence . It sauddenly arises.” If the aircraft is flying in or near a jet stream (a strong wind at an altitude of about 10 kilometers), wind shear can occur. Wind Shear is a Sudden Change in Wind Direction and Speed.
If you are on the plane without seatbelts, you can be shaken up QUITE A BIT. The accident on a Singapore Airlines flight last month was caused by that type of turbulence. That is a very exceptional incident, accordance to Van Luijk. The man who died was a heart patient. The Impact of the Turbulence was fatal to him.
“Aircraft are tested forces heavyer than the heavyiest turbulence ever Measured. Wings are lifted up in a test. And on the boeing b787, They can be up to 8 meters Before They Break. An aircraft can handle Severe Turbulence.”
Just like the pilots and crew, they are also trained in turbulence. Passengers can suffer a lot from it and are often afraid of it.
Choose A Seat At The Center of Gravity
If you are afraid of turbulence, you can make sure that you always have your seats on, when the light is not on. “On the highway you also don’t take off your seat calls when it is Quiet on the road,” Says Nikki van Luijk. “Something can always happen. Turbulence can just arise, so you are safest with your seatbelts on.”
Chosing a Seat Near the Wings also Helps a Bit. “An aircraft is a flexible tube around a center of gravity. If you sit at the center of gravity – close to the wings – you will be most stable in turbulence. It Doesn’t Make that much differentence.”
Play a Game or Take a Travel Pill
Scenes where the entire plane is sitting with a pale face throwing up in the vomit bag are really not realistic. But Those who are sensitive to motion sickness, so also feel sick in a boat or car, also suffer extra from turbulence.
It works like this: your balance ensures that you do not fall while walking. The Brain, Muscles and Eyes Must Work Together, But If That Information Does Not Match You then Feel Sick, Nauseous, Weak, Dizzy, Have To Vomit, You Turn Pale Or Sweat A Lot.
Thuisarts.nl, The Health Platform of General Practitioners, advises to Start Your Journey Rested. You are more likely to suffer from motion sickness if you are tired. Make sure your stomach is full, but don’t fly on a full stomach. Do not drink alcohol or carbonated drinks. Listen to Music Duration the Flight, Breathe Calmly, or Chew Gum. Reading, Writing, Gaming or Looking at a Screen Can Make Motion Sickness worse.
Distraction Can Help, Say the General Practitioners: Play a Game or Talk to Your Fellow Passengers. Travel tablets containing dramamine are available at drugstores. That Medicine Reduces Dizziness and Nausea. A Neck Support can help you sit more comfortably and stable as the plane is shaken back and forth.
Turbulence is routine work for pilots, Van Luijk Knows, but you cane really count on them to stay Sharp. “Getting kured from turbulence is really very weird.”