There is a kind of turbulence undetected by aircraft radar

There is this kind of turbulence undetected by aircraft radar, no matter how new the aircraft is. This kind of turbulence is called Clear Air Turbulence or “CAT.” It is responsible for many injuries inflight, especially if a plane passes through it. Those injured are usually passengers and crew members who are not secured to their seats. Of course, the crew has no choice but to really go around the cabin because this is their job.

However, passengers are greatly advised to keep their seatbelts on even if the fasten seatbelt sign is off.

Before we go into the topic of CAT, let me first talk about turbulence by itself and why there is nothing to be worried about.

What is turbulence?

Turbulence is caused when there is an airflow disruption. So if your flight gets bumpy, it just means that there is a smooth air flow disruption in the area airflow you are passing. To make things simpler to understand, think of a car running on the road. If the road is smooth, your car ride stays smooth. If there are humps or if the road is unpaved, your ride becomes rough. 

An airplane runs on an invisible road in the sky, also called airflow. If the flow is smooth, your flight stays smooth. If there are any disruptions in the flow of air, then your ride gets bumpy, but these are not dangerous situations. 

We usually experience three levels of turbulence namely:

1. Light – rise and drop of only 1 meter
2. Moderate – elevation and drop of about 3 – 6 meters. Drinks may spill.
3. Extreme – elevation and drop of up to 30 meters. Passengers may get thrown off if not correctly buckled-up.

Turbulence is a normal occurrence and pilots are fully trained to handle this

Turbulence is very typical in a flight. Think of it that not all the time, our land terrain and sea are not stable; hence, we may experience violent movement there, just like the oceans in the sea. The waters are not calm all the time. Some move violently, which may cause the ship not to sail straight.

There are three causes of turbulence:

1. Shear Turbulence happens when two adjacent areas of air move in different directions. The border between them can be a turbulence hotspot. A common cause of shear is jet flow from another airplane.
2. Thermal Turbulence – Heat rises, so when it heads up through more relaxed air, you can end up with thermal turbulence.
3. Mechanical – A large structure on the ground, a mountain, or other variation in the landscape can cause a sudden change in airflow.

What is Clear Air Turbulence or CAT

CAT is the most dangerous kind of turbulence because it occurs in clear skies usually at cruising altitude, and is undetected by radar. When a plane crosses a CAT, the plane suddenly jolts down, but not enough to crash an aircraft. However, it may lead to structural damage if the jolt is terrible.

CAT is the turbulent movement of air masses without any visual clues, such as clouds, and is caused when bodies of air moving at different speeds meet. This also happens at very high altitudes.

Effects of CAT can lead to the following:

• Structural damage: Aircraft can suffer structural damage due to severe clear air turbulence. In extreme cases, this can lead to the break-up of the aircraft. In even moderate turbulence, damage can occur to fittings within the aircraft, mainly due to collision with unrestrained cargo or passenger luggage items. Prolonged exposure to turbulence will shorten the fatigue life of the aircraft.
• Injury to passengers: If caught unaware, passengers and crew moving around in the aircraft cabin can be injured.
• Impaired flight crew performance: Moderate or Severe turbulence can make simple tasks, including reading instruments, near impossible.

Since CAT occurs at high altitudes and in clear skies, there is indeed no visual warnings of this. Add the fact that this is undetected by radar. Hence, airlines do highly recommend that passengers keep their seatbelts on throughout the flight even if the fasten seatbelt signs are off.

Your pilots are fully trained to handle turbulence

Pilots are fully trained in how to detect and handle turbulence. In the case of a Clear Air Turbulence of CAT, pilots are taught how to control the aircraft when they go through one. Most of the time, the aircraft’s radar can detect places where there is possible turbulence and do their best to avoid those areas. The aircraft is also built to withstand extreme air turbulence. Before being flown, the aircraft are tested even in the most extreme situation, beyond its limits and boundaries. So don’t worry; the aircraft’s wing will not break off, nor will one engine fall.

When pilots detect turbulence, they instantly switch on the fasten seatbelt sign, and it is mandated that passengers follow this for them not to sustain any injuries. 

Is turbulence deadly? It can be to those who do not follow safety instructions like the fasten seatbelt sign. There are already some passengers who were killed after they were thrown off their seats during extreme turbulence for not wearing their seatbelts. This is also another reason why it is recommended that we keep our seatbelts on during the flight.

All these will put you at a shallow risk of a turbulence-induced plane crash. Remember, though, that your seatbelts are the best defense during turbulence.

Turbulence is normal, but it is still dangerous if you are not well-strapped.