Veteran Air Canada Captain Doug Morris reveals what happens on the flight deck when turbulence hits

For many nervous flyers, their anxiety is largely associated with the turbulence.

And partly because they can’t see what the pilots are doing when the plane is rolling. Are they nervous or calm? Do you have a plan to stop the rocking? Do you know when it will stop? All the nervous traveler can do is grip the armrest and look at the cabin crew to see if they He seems worried.

Veteran Air Canada Dreamliner Captain Doug Morris lifts the veil.

In his fascinating book This is your captain speaking (ECW Press), offers a peek inside the cabin in rough air, explaining how the crew reacts to various stages of turbulence, the techniques they deploy to smooth out the ride, and the “anti-gust” tricks the 787 has under the sleeve. However, it begins by revealing how pilots know where turbulence lurks…

PLANNING AHEAD FOR A SMOOTH TRIP

Captain Morris writes in This Is Your Captain Speaking: ‘Technology has certainly helped to deal with the unpredictable nature of bumpy journeys. A pilot’s iPad can now overlay a specific route on weather graphs that represent pothole areas. We can also check other aircraft reports from this site. These “heartbeats” show the whereabouts of the plane, its altitude, and if any bumps occurred during the flight.

“Our flight plan also assigns a numerical value for potential potholes along each waypoint, while flight dispatch sends us in-flight reports via a data link. They all strive to offer the smoothest ride possible.

‘My flight plan assigns a number from zero to nine to each waypoint along the route. A zero or one means things should be fine, but when the numbers three, four, and five appear, the seatbelt sign is likely to illuminate.

He adds: ‘Most aircraft also have wind shear systems to detect wind shear near the ground. These do not detect high level wind shear. No device detects turbulence due to jet streams, but weather maps show and forecast all types of turbulence. Flight dispatchers will plan flights to avoid these areas or fly at different altitudes. Sometimes this is all it takes to ensure a smooth ride.

WHAT HAPPENS ON THE FLIGHT DECK WHEN TURBULENCE ARRIVES?

Captain Morris writes: ‘When potholes increase from jolt to jolt, we are entering the realm of turbulence. That’s when a driver snaps out of his happy stupor, especially when he hears other drivers on the radios describing the bumps as turbulence instead of chop. The seat belt sign is on and no hot drinks will be served.

Flight attendants are still in the aisles, but they are warning passengers to think twice before using the bathroom.

“Pilots ask about trip reports and think about a change in flight level or possibly slowing down a bit to reduce the impact of rough air.

‘With moderate turbulence and/or turbulence, passenger conversations stop. Now they are looking to flight attendants for answers. Their faces begin to change expression. Some begin to shake hands.

‘The flight attendants are now returning their cars and securing the cabin.

Pilots talk briefly into radios to find smooth air and slow the plane to maneuvering speed in rough air to get around potholes, much like a ship slows down when waves get stronger.

‘Now we enter serious. That’s when you might hear a scream or two. The voices of the pilots have climbed several octaves on the radios. There will be paperwork to fill out.

THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR USING YOUR EYES

Captain Morris writes: ‘One of the best methods, to this day, of avoiding squalls, heavy rain and turbulent clouds is with a pair of eyeballs. At night, you’ll find me with the flight deck lighting turned off, peering out and scanning the sky. We are close to a thunderstorm, I have the flight deck lights dimmed and usually the external strobes off, finding the best way out of this weather situation.

WHY CAN’T AIRPLANES DERIVE FROM TURBULENCE?

Captain Morris writes: ‘To avoid some turbulent areas would require diversions of hundreds of miles, adding tens of minutes or even hours and possibly requiring more fuel than the tanks can hold.’

THE ANTI-TURBULENCE TECHNOLOGY OF THE DREAMLINER

Captain Morris writes: ‘The Boeing B787 I fly has a gust suppression system. Strategically placed sensors send signals to the flight controls (rudder, elevator, spoilers, ailerons, and flaperons) to neutralize bumps.

DOES THE SEAT BELT SIGN LIGHT AUTOMATICALLY?

Captain Morris writes: ‘(Turbulence) is strictly subjective and done with the Captain’s approval. Some drivers turn on the seatbelt sign at the start of the first ripple, imagining lawsuits if they don’t light the sign. For a long-haul flight, the seat belt sign may turn on and off 10 or more times.

“(Sometimes) a flight attendant at the back of the plane calls to the flight deck to remind the pilot that the tail of the plane is bobbing more and politely asks for the seatbelt sign to come on.”

TAKE CONSOLE TO THE FACT THAT PILOTS DON’T LIKE TURBULENCE EITHER

Captain Morris writes: ‘Don’t think pilots are on the flight deck casually saying ‘good’. We don’t like rough air either. It is carried all over the world.

FINALLY… IS TURBULENCE DANGEROUS?

“Only when the passengers are not wearing their seatbelts,” says Capt. Morris.

To request a copy of This Is Your Captain Speaking, click here.