What are Air Pockets and how do they cause flight turbulence?

WEB DESK: Airline passengers are no strangers to sudden jolts mid-flight, often experiencing unexpected shaking and juddering without warning. Even under seemingly calm weather conditions, airplanes can be tossed around or momentarily lose altitude before returning to stability. While these phenomena are sometimes attributed to encountering “air pockets,” experts debunk this notion, stating that such pockets do not exist.

According to Guy Gratton, an aeronautical engineer and professor at Cranfield University in the U.K. “air pockets” are a layman’s term for various forms of turbulence or wind shear. Turbulence, described by the National Weather Service as highly unpredictable, occurs when planes encounter random, large-magnitude air currents or abrupt changes in wind velocity.

Windshear, on the other hand, refers to sudden alterations in wind speed or direction over short distances in the atmosphere. This can lead to rapid descents or climbs for aircraft, particularly when flying near cumulonimbus clouds or jet streams.

Cumulonimbus clouds, commonly known as thunderclouds, are capable of producing severe weather conditions such as hail, thunder, and lightning. Turbulence often occurs around these clouds due to converging updrafts and downdrafts, sometimes resulting in hazardous microbursts with extreme winds.

While turbulence can be unsettling for passengers, the risk of it causing significant damage to aircraft is relatively low, according to Gratton.

However, in extreme cases, sudden transitions in flight conditions could potentially overstress the aircraft or lead to uncontrolled descents, posing serious risks.

Gratton emphasises that such incidents are rare, as modern aircraft and airports are equipped with wind shear detection systems, and pilots are trained to mitigate risks by adjusting flight speeds when turbulence is anticipated or encountered. Nonetheless, securing loose items within the cabin remains crucial to prevent potential hazards during turbulent flights.