Turbulence.

[paulguitar]

Despite having flown hundreds of times, including over 90 times across the Atlantic, and having a pretty good understanding of aircraft and flying in general, I still find myself getting really anxious in turbulence. My palms sweat and I sit there rigid until it has subsided. I know from a lot of reading that turbulence is, except in the rarest circumstances, a comfort rather than a safety issue.

Does anyone else have similar problems, or perhaps can anyone offer some advice to help to deal with it?

Thanks in advance everyone.

[Turn7]

crap myself anytime the plane does anything I wasnt expecting tbh....

[AdamC28]

Your experience mirrors mine exactly. Just can’t help it and don’t really understand why.

[HoHoHo]

I have no problem with turbulence and if I’m lying in a bed it helps me sleep!

These machines are designed to take it, try and enjoy it and imagine you’re on a fairground ride

[Simpo Two]

You need to decide what exactly you're worried about, then rationalise it. Whether you can do that alone, or may need outside help, I can't say.

[Eric Mc]

Has never bothered me in the slightest. In fact, I quite enjoy it.

[dave_s13]

https://youtu.be/EuLURmITq_E

Have a watch of that. He's got a great channel all about aviation stuff like this.

[Jiebo]

Seems completely rational to be anxious about hurtling across the earth 8 miles above land at 500mph In a steel tube. This is not normal for a human.

It’s strange that people aren’t more worried actually!

[Eric Mc]

It's just as strange to be travelling at 70 mph in a metal box.

Our "natural" state is to be ambling forward at a sedate 4 mph. Even riding a horse is a tad weird - and they go up and down a lot too.

[paulguitar]

Simpo Two said:

You need to decide what exactly you're worried about, then rationalise it. Whether you can do that alone, or may need outside help, I can't say.

I am a logical person, and I can confidently explain to someone else why they have no reason to be afraid in turbulence. My reaction is completely instinctive, and goes against all I know to be true in terms of it not being an issue for the aircraft.

It doesn’t stop me from flying, which is just as well, as I have to do it for work regularly, and I don’t worry about flying, days, or even hours, ahead of time. It’s just a visceral, instinctive reaction to the actual turbulence itself.

[rix]

I hate it, exactly same reaction as you. Weirdly, 2 weeks ago coming into stansted in the storm of storms, the plane bouncing all over the place in the descent, sorry 2 descents (first was a go around!) I was absolutely fine. I can only put it down to my brain being able to visualize the movement in relation to the ground and me totally expecting it - it was bloody breezy!

At 39000 feet, in the dark, above the Atlantic and in a middle bank seat, the mildest bit of turbulence makes me fear my life!

[eharding]

Just make sure you keep your belt on whenever you're seated, regardless of whether the seat belt sign is lit or not.

Personally, I find the absolute 100% guaranteed way of invoking turbulence is to accept the offer of coffee after a meal - invariably steady as an rock up till that point, then welcome to Wobble City as soon as the cup is full.

[Eric Mc]

I’m more scared of a train starts rocking.

[bigmowley]

Relax it’s just some bumps in the road. At least that’s what I tell the kids (grandkids now )

stting myself really,

[BishBosh]

Think of the aeroplane being suspended in jelly... wobble the jelly and the whole plane wobbles with it. Turbulence acts on the entire plane at the same time, the wings or engine won’t collapse or fall off....
That’s what I was told so I think of jelly and I calm down a bit....

[Condi]

Best thing I did was take a lesson in a small aircraft. Once you see it all from up front, and understand how it works, and see the large distance between you and the ground, it becomes less worrying. Small aircraft bounce about a lot as well, so you get plenty of experience, and kinda understand 'that's just what it does'.

[paulguitar]

dave_s13 said:

https://youtu.be/EuLURmITq_E

Have a watch of that. He's got a great channel all about aviation stuff like this.

Thanks, I have seen this one actually, good suggestion. His videos are excellent.

[Evoluzione]

Stay at home.

[jontysafe]

I’m somewhat similar, don’t mind the lumps and bumps so much as the sudden altitude loss or gain. Always hated that feeling of leaving your stomach behind, even on fair ground rides on terra firma.

I used to be petrified of flying, it never stopped me doing it but through sheer volume of travel I’m ok now

[Equus]

Jiebo said:

Seems completely rational to be anxious about hurtling across the earth 8 miles above land at 500mph In a steel tube.

Aluminum.

Its fatigue properties aren't anything like as good as steel...