Flying to Orlando - Turbulence question.

hi just wondering we fly out uc on the 16th may on the 027 this will be our seventh time will virgin to orlando we have had very turbalant flights every time out and back is this normal for that route or are we just unlucky.









Topic heading edit by mod to make subject clearer... Nick

I fly frequently to Orlando, we very rarely experience severe turbulence but we do get a some every time. Just worry really about my wine spilling over!! I have to say the turbulence doesn't feel so bad in Upper!!!!

I noticed Turbulance just leaving, flying over Ireland and about three hours in to flight after that. Probably not a fact but on 6 flights its been that way, and only on the way out.

Isn't it to do with flying into then out of the jetstream?

I can't remember a turbulence free flight. But with a flight of 9 hours (most over water), you are going to have to expect some turbulence. [:$]

In my experience though, it's never really been severe. I guess you must just be unlucky?

In my experience flying across the jetstream is the problem. When we flew to NAS it was very bumpy for a couple of hours. When I have flown to the west coast it seems to be smoother as you fly over the top. The worst was flying to JFK last year the night of the hurricane, that was scary [:0]

I think you have to expect it going to MCO

[honey lamb]

I noticed Turbulance just leaving, flying over Ireland

Oh that was me and Aer John having a row [:o)]

Originally posted by AlanA
Isn't it to do with flying into then out of the jetstream?

I am inclined to agree with you. I do not know if this is technically the correct answer. As you know I fly a lot to MCO and we have rough flights and smooth flights. I have had the odd bump free flight but they are few and far between.

I always check the jet stream before i get on-board and generally do see some bumps as we cross into it. However, I have also found that generally flying with the jetstream (ie from MCO to LGW) is bumpier than flying into it.

Paul
Posted in International Waters just north of Cuba via Sat Link

Flying east, with the jetstream behind you seems to be the worse scenerio. You can start counting down the time as soon as you pass Boston for the dreaded Bumps!! [:$][B)][:$] No chance of any [|)]

Any JFK/EWR/BOS/IAD frequency seems to get hit during the 2nd or 3rd hours of the journey?? Very rare I have had a smooth return to the UK, is this the case for most people, or I am just unlucky??

Thinking back, the turbulence seems to have got worse in the last few years, I don't know what other people think - phaps that's one for the global warning theorist [?][?]

Rob, no I don't think you're unlucky, same thing seems to happen to me on flights from ATL & EWR, a few hours in and things get a bit bumpy. To be honest the worst turbulance I've encountered flying east was last Sept returning from MCO. It was incredibly bumpy all the way up the eastern seaboard until we got past Gander. However having said that it could be it just felt worse than normal because I was much further back than normal. Generally I'm normally sat somewhere in the 30's but this time I was way back in the 50's. I was lucky enough to have 3 seats to myself so thought I might actually be able to get some [|)] ... no chance of that though!

I'd say "It's par for the course".

As other people have pointed out it now seems to happen alot down the Eastern side of the U.S.A.

I remember being on a "Dark Side" [^] flight to Miami 2 years ago where it was like being on Big Thunder Mountain at Disney passing Boston and all the way down [:0]

I've also had it coming back from Barbados.

Flew back yesterday, arriving this morning. Captain annouced at the beginning of the flight that we where due to have a very smooth flight. About 4 hours out, bump city and I mean BUMP CITY for the next 3 hours the seat belt signs where on. Captain apolgised for the unexpected turbulence. Check out the jetstream from yesterday/today. It is almost an 'El Nino' effect but the winds where very low.

Paul

[preiffer]

The Jetstream is one of MANY different causes of turbulence. I'll see if I can dig out the definitions from some old flying manuals I used to use...

For those interested, there is an entire site dedicated to turbulence forecasts - but be warned, you can panic yourself silly over it and then find it's a completely smooth flight.

Turbulence levels change based on flight level, time of day, etc. at the very least. Don't worry too much though .

I've had turbulent flights but normally into / out of vegas from LAX. Makes east coast seem not too bad

[Scrooge]

Well thats due to the thermals rising of the desert floor,coming in on final to LAS during a summer afternoon can be a lot of fun.

To be honest I dont remember going into MCO or MIA as being any worse than anywhere else.

Well, either I just don't feel it (maybe it's the valium and champagne kicking in) or I've been lucky. Only once ever have I experienced bad turbulence to the degree that the cabin crew were told to take their seats ... all other times it's just routine bumpiness.

I think you have been lucky (although the Valium helps!) the Cabin Crew where stuck in their seats on my flight this morning for over 2 hours.

Paul

The only time me and the present Mrs Treelo have experienced 'real' turbulence - as opposed to the occasional bump - was on a recent MCO to MAN flight. I had just been served a whisky and ginger and the damned aeroplane just would not stay still long enough to mix them together[}:)] Still neat whisky followed by neat ginger almost tasted the same[:w]

Seriously, nmurrell, don't get too worried. Modern aircraft are built to withstand a lot more than a bit of turbulence chucked at them.

AFAIK, no plane has ever had to make an emergency landing due to turbulence. The injuries that are sometimes encountered in the Midwest, for example, are when people don't put their seatbelts on.

Cheers,
VS045

VS045- I must correct you their- I think it is quite common for an airline to request an emergency landing or ambulance on stand due to turbulence. I remember watching an episode of Airport when the ambulance crew were called to an arriving BD flight that had requested priorty in the stack at LHR becuase they had hit servere turbulence and a crew member was hurt. The ambulance crew said it was quite common....

Yeh always across the pond seem to get a bit of turbulence though i can think of flights i have taken with none

Other bad areas for turbulence seem to be the Tasman and anywhere in NZ! Anyone tried landing at ZQN or WLG will agree with me on that one!!

Trying not to take the "turbulence over Boston" debate personally (although not a surprise if also experienced over Ireland...).
One thing I am always very good about doing is to cinch my safety belt tightly whenever I am seated.

It takes just one serious fast drop (more likely over Newfoundland) to convince even the most intrepid that one doesn't want to experiment in the conflict between immovable objects. That single moment when you realize just exactly how well a seat belt works, is accutely educational.

RR

[Scrooge]

Originally posted by VS045
AFAIK, no plane has ever had to make an emergency landing due to turbulence. The injuries that are sometimes encountered in the Midwest, for example, are when people don't put their seatbelts on.

Cheers,
VS045

uummm,no,link

While yes the aircraft normaly lands so pax and/or crew can recive medical attention the aircraft is also examined...I have a feeling that a 747SP suffered an engine failure due to turbulence,though I cant be sure (should be [|)]),I'll check http://www.747sp.com when I get up.

BTW,that is another great site.

I think that turbulence is probably quite a subjective topic - one persons "severe turbulence" is another persons "a bit bumpy". I have flown on average probably once or twice a week over the last 5 years or so; with destinations from north America thru' all over Europe and Africa to the Far East, and I can only recall three occasions when cabin crew were asked to strap in. Maybe I am lucky?
Worst was hitting a patch of turbulence virtually straight after take off from MAD on a 737 (just when the engines are working their hardest) - that one was worrying (I can smile about it now!), and it seems to me that the flights to and from AMS and CWL (usually on a nice little Fokker70) are getting more and more like a roller-coaster (sign me up to the change in weather patterns theory).
FA's know the score, and if there is any turbulence I always look at them - they seem to take it all in their stride which is very reassuring....

VS045- I must correct you their- I think it is quite common for an airline to request an emergency landing or ambulance on stand due to turbulence. I remember watching an episode of Airport when the ambulance crew were called to an arriving BD flight that had requested priorty in the stack at LHR becuase they had hit servere turbulence and a crew member was hurt. The ambulance crew said it was quite common....

By "emergency landing" I actually meant to crash. I was just trying to find a better word for those of a more sensitive disposition.[:I]

Sorry for the confusion!

Cheers,
VS045