Day 2: Why turbulence feels scary but isn't dangerous to the airplane
What turbulence actually is, how strong airliners are built to be, and the single habit that protects you.
About 20 minutes. Start with 5 minutes of breathing (yesterday's exercise) before you read.5
1. What turbulence is
Air flows like water. It rolls over mountains, rises off warm ground, and swirls near jet streams and storms. When an airplane flies through those currents it bobs, like a boat crossing a wake. The FAA describes turbulence as normal and common, and notes it can happen even in clear skies.1
Try this: next time you're in a car on a bumpy road, notice that you don't worry the car will fall apart. Turbulence is the sky's version of a bumpy road.