Turbulence is caused by various weather phenomena such as storms, wind shear from planes taking off and landing, temperature differences heating the land, and jet streams. While turbulence can cause physical injuries from being thrown around the cabin if unbuckled, modern commercial airplanes are designed to withstand forces much greater than any expected turbulence and there has never been a crash solely due to turbulence. Keeping seat belts fastened can prevent injuries during periods of turbulence.

1. How Dangerous Is Turbulence?
Presentation by
Neil Shearing, Ph.D.
http://www.PhooeyToFear.com/

2. Turbulence Is A Big Concern
People worry about turbulence... a lot!
Either think plane is going to fall apart or stop
flying
To overcome the fear associated with turbulence,
have to understand planes and flight mechanics.
People don't learn these things, so fear persists.

3. Anxiety vs Phobia
Note:
Education helps anxieties and mild fears, not
phobias which are extreme irrational fears.

4. Causes Of Turbulence
Turbulence is caused by storms, which are
avoided by flying around them, not landing or not
taking off.

5. Causes Of Turbulence
Turbulence is caused by planes taking off and
landing, so they're spaced out.

6. Causes Of Turbulence
Turbulence is caused by the sun heating the land,
but it's usually mild.
This turbulence is encountered at take off and
landing.

7. Causes Of Turbulence
Turbulence is caused by jet streams high up in the
atmosphere.
Planes make use of the jet stream to travel faster
while in it. May encounter turbulence crossing into
and out of the jet stream.

8. Turbulence: Physical Danger
There is almost zero change of turbulence
shaking apart a modern commercial airliner.
No modern commercial airliner has crashed solely
due to turbulence.
Modern commercial airliners are able to withstand
forces 150% more than ever expected to
encounter.

9. Turbulence: Physical Danger
Plane cannot be “shocked” out of the sky by
turbulence.
As long as the engines are providing thrust, air
flows over the wings providing lift and the plane
stays airborne.
If thrust stops, the plane can glide for a long time.
A 747-200 has a glide ratio of 15:1. From 37,000
feet up, it can glide for 80-100 miles!

10. Turbulence: Physical Danger
Actual physical danger from turbulence is injuries
from being thrown around.
Most injuries are to flight crew.
Most passenger injuries are to those not wearing
seat belts.
Keep seat belt fastened at all times when seated.

11. More Information
FAA: Fact Sheet – Turbulence
https://www.faa.gov/news/fact_sheets/news_story.cfm?newsId=14195
Phooey To Fear Website:
http://www.phooeytofear.com/
Fear of Turbulence Kindle Book:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00HZS9N4Y
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HZS9N4Y