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Hello Capt Lim!
I will be flying in about a week on United in a Boeing 777 aircraft from Washington-Dulles to San Francisco then to Taipei, Taiwan. I am very fearful of flying as I am scared about turbulence. The problem is that I get dizzy when turbulence occur and often feel the effect even after I get on the ground. Every time I travel, I will watch the aviation weather one month before I depart. I try to get a feel of what the turbulence is like and how it may affect me when I depart. I am definitely very weird. Please answer these questions:-
(1) Is there a better route to take to avoid turbulence?
(2) Which route and what time of day would be best to have a smoother ride?
(3) I have noticed that jet streams usually flow through San Francisco and almost straight across the U.S. Would that create more turbulence?
(4) Would flying through Canada be better to avoid the turbulence? I have noticed that China Airlines fly from JFK to Anchorage then to Taipei Is that a better route? And they always depart at night.
(5) Is it true that winter causes more turbulence than summer?
(6) What can I do to feel better on a flight with turbulence? I am already taking Dramamine. Is there a better way?
(7) You have mentioned that Boeing 777 planes are much more comfortable, however, when turbulence occurs, does it matter what aircraft it is? How is Boeing 777 more comfortable in relation to turbulence?
(8) Please tell me the usual condition of turbulence from IAD to SFO then to TPE.
(9) Have you flown or been on United? Is it true that the United Boeing 777 planes have horrible air circulation?
(10) Do turbulence occur more often over ocean or land?
(11) Why is it that every time I fly through Colorado or Nevada, turbulence occur?
(12) Also, why is it that every time I fly over Japan, severe turbulence occur?
Thank you so much!
Your website is so informative, I have added your site to my favorites.
Thanks again!
Regards,
Yu-Chieh Wang
Hello Yu,
I was just a weird as you were when I started to learn how to fly! Not only did I feel dizzy in turbulence, I also used to throw out once in a while after a rough and bumpy flight! Eventually I got used to the usual discomfort that came with turbulence. How ? I understood turbulence better and became less anxious mentally. Today, I fly with confidence when I have to get into the occasional turbulences that I could not avoid. I knew the wings would not tear off, the airplane would not go out of control and fall out off the sky or that I would be hurt, provided I was safely secured to the seat belts in turbulence!
Here are the answers to your other queries: -
(1) Is there a better route to take to avoid turbulence?
Of course, you can avoid the turbulence in certain situations by taking a better route. It means that the airplane would have to fly a longer distance to a point where it becomes economically unfeasible! In most situations, the pilot would request to fly off track from the turbulence that are often associated with, say a thunderstorm. Fear of turbulence is very subjective. Sometimes a little turbulence is acceptable to one passenger but unacceptable to others. I have already mentioned in previous FAQs that a little turbulence is all part of air travel.
(2) Which route and what time of day would be best to have a smoother ride?
I can't tell you with great certainty as to which route and time of day for a smoother ride. If you can interpret the weather forecast on television or newspaper, and if you see a low pressure moving to, say Washington-Dulles, you are likely to encounter a rough and bumpy flight on your departure. This is because the isobaric lines are close together and that means strong winds! If you see a high pressure region where the isobaric lines are far apart, then you can expect calm and smooth flying conditions. These are turbulence at the lower levels associated with terrain but at higher altitude, you get a different type of turbulence called CAT or clear air turbulence (explained in earlier FAQ) Usually morning flight would provide a smoother ride.
(3) I have noticed that jet streams usually flow through San Francisco and almost straight across the U.S., would that create more turbulence?
Jet streams are sources of CAT, (clear air turbulence). They are advantageous or disadvantageous depending on if you are flying with or against them. Jet stream has a speed of around 180 to 250 mph at the core and that can add/subtract about 45 minutes to your flight time from Washington-Dulles to San Francisco. However, if the flight path of the airplane is at the vicinity of jet streams, the ride can be bumpy.
(4) Would flying through Canada be better to avoid turbulence? I have noticed that China Airlines fly from JFK to Anchorage then to Taipei. Is that a better route? And they always depart at night.
No, every country is not spared of any turbulence! If a low pressure frontal system is smack on your track, your flight is likely to be turbulent on your climb to the cruising levels. The frontal systems change every day! China Airlines' flight from JFK-Anchorage-Taipei is not necessarily the best route. It does not matter if the departure is at night. This rationale of a comfortable flight may only be applicable in the Tropical Regions where flying conditions are usually smooth during nights and early mornings.
(5) Is it true that winter causes more turbulence than summer?
It is true that wintry weather is often more turbulent that summer due to more frontal systems and its accompanying stronger winds.
(6) What can I do to feel better on a flight with turbulence? I am already taking Dramamine, is there a better way?
After reading my explanations and digesting all the information, I hope you will feel better. If you are a fearful flyer, you can try some relaxation exercises I have briefly elaborated on in my fear of flying topic.
(7) You have mentioned that Boeing 777 planes are much more comfortable, however, when turbulence occurs, does it matter what aircraft it is? How is Boeing 777 more comfortable in relation to turbulence?
You are right to suggest that turbulence affect all airplanes regardless of whether it is a Boeing 777, Airbus 330/340, Boeing 747, etc. I was pointing out the fact in my past FAQ that a Boeing 777 can take turbulence better than an Airbus 330/340 because of their wings construction. The Airbus 330/340 wings are more flexible and hence flex more than a Boeing 777. This flexing appears to cause more turbulence when in fact it should absorb them. On the other hand, Boeing 777 wings are more rigid and flex less.
(8) Please tell me the usual condition of turbulence from IAD (Washington-Dulles) to SFO (San Francisco) then to TPE (Taipei).
Before you proceed on this flight, check out the Turbulence Forecast in this Site (Click here). It would give you a rough idea of the turbulence around the USA region. So on a good day in winter, your flight would be fairly smooth up until crossing the Appalachian and the Rocky Mountains. This is because the Westerly winds create standing waves at the lee side of the mountains. These are associated with turbulences. However, if the winds are light, then you are unlikely to encounter turbulence in these areas.
In the mid Pacific, you can expect some CAT. Approaching Okinawa, south of Japan, make sure there are no prevailing typhoons. CNN or any International Weather Channels usually give a very accurate forecast of typhoons in these areas.
One disclaimer.. I am only a pilot and cannot predict the turbulence with great accuracy! Even the weatherman, despite their training, makes mistakes too!
(9) Have you flown or been on United? Is it true that the United Boeing 777 planes have horrible air circulation?
I have not personally flown with United Airlines as a passenger. I have written about the foul air in the United Airlines Boeing 777 . Please refer to my earlier topic on Foul Cabin Air.
(10) Do turbulence occur more often over ocean or land?
You are likely to get more turbulence on land than over the ocean.
(11) Why is it that every time I fly through Colorado or Nevada, turbulence occur?
As I have mentioned about standing waves above, these two states are near mountainous regions, especially on the Eastern side of the Rockies. These mountains create very turbulent conditions from the Westerly winds.
(12) Also, why is it that every time I fly over Japan, severe turbulence occur?
Flying over Japan does not always means severe turbulence unless there is a frontal depression, a hurricane or a jet stream overhead. But I must agree that these phenomenon are more prevalent in Japan than anywhere else because of its location and proximity to the jet stream flow.
I wish you a safe and smooth flight on your next journey.
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