You're Not Wrong, Turbulence is Worse | WIRED

It's not just you-in-flight turbulence really is getting worse. WIRED spoke with pilot Andrea Themely and atmospheric scientist Dr. Paul Williams about why conditions are becoming more severe and how the scientific and commercial aviation communities are approaching the future of air travel.
If you want to check out Dr. Williams' work, click here: www.met.reading.ac.uk/\~williams
Pilotbrief byThe Weather Company helps pilots and crew visualize weather and possible turbulence along flight plans in one interactive dashboard to help make more informed flight decisions: www.ibm.com/weather/industrie...
Thank you to Skypath-If you would like to learn more:
Website: skypath.io/
LinkedIn: / skypath
Special thanks to Oliver
Director: Katherine Wzorek
Director of Photography: Jack Belisle
Editor: Richard Trammell
Expert: Andrea Themely; Dr. Paul Williams
Line Producer: Joseph Buscemi
Associate Producer: Kameryn Hamilton
Production Manager: D. Eric Martinez
Production Coordinator: Fernando Davila
Camera Operator: Rahil Ashruff
Gaffer: Mar Alfonso
Production Assistant: Caleb Clark
Post Production Supervisor: Alexa Deutsch
Post Production Coordinator: Ian Bryant
Supervising Editor: Doug Larsen
Additional Editor: Paul Tael
Assistant Editor: Andy Morell; Courtney Karwal
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[@jopo7996]

He explained this so well I returned my seat to an upright position.

[@gus473]

😂 Underrated comment! 😎✌️

[@alexateachey9680]

I watched this video because I have flight anxiety….. but this comment made me laugh so hard I forgot why I even watched the video 😅🫶

[@andrewchapman2024]

I was on the toilet when we hit turbulence. It actually helped me unload.

[@tomjsmith000]

Positive Gs, son! Get it out.

[@TheSieBee]

This was an interesting video. I actually experienced bad turbulence one time on the way out of Guatemala City. It felt like we dropped for a couple seconds (had that weightless feeling, and saw a guy in front of me hair float up for a couple seconds) and the next thing i knew the pilot pushed that plain up and over the system we were trying to get past. That was 30 minutes into a four hour flight. Lol

[@bullywife]

Interesting but as a Guatemalan myself I will let you know the reason: ravines that surround Guatemala City.

[@JoshuaGold1]

That trick with a drink only works sometimes. Other times, the turbulence causes the drink to spill on you.

[@sblbate]

If Prigozhin's flight had been a day later he might've known about the risks of turbulence.

[@Andrea-1998]

Good one, just like people randomly falling out of windows who just happen to be Russian oligarchs. 😂

[@markedis5902]

I remember back in the 1980s flying and suddenly getting that weightless feeling, my glass lifted off the tray table and my scotch lifted out of the glass. I watched quite fascinated as they slowly moved back down and settled on the table without a drop spilled. Then I was pushed into my seat feeling like I weighed double. I asked the cabin crew about it later in the flight and apparently we had fallen nearly 2000 foot in just over a second.

[@SchgurmTewehr]

Cool

[@SketchingCrap]

A plane never fall like people think. There is no hole in air...

[@stevengigrich6264]

cap

[@ichristianrodriguez]

Nutssss. I lived through some gnarly chop recently. Cool to think they’re getting better but also seems we all might live through some crazy turbulence in the future.

[@sean668]

@@SketchingCrapUsually the “falling” is really deceleration while gaining altitude. It’s similar to falling if you squint

[@jenmorricone4014]

Keep your seatbelt ON.... ALWAYS..... there's a reason ! You do not want a head and neck injury.

[@IamTonyStark1]

No one asked ya 😊

[@snakedoktor6020]

​@@IamTonyStark1Actually, I had texted Jen earlier for her opinion on seatbelts. 😊

[@NightmodeFPS]

@@IamTonyStark1 Actually I did, now pipe it.

[@citriosis]

​@@IamTonyStark1nah i asked jen specifically actually

[@andytranter]

I love when they forget and leave the seatbelt light on for 6 hours

[@Keji839]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@fofwew]

EVERYONE STRAP YOUR SEATBELTS!! CAUSE THERE'S ABOUT TO BE SOME TURBULENCE!!!

[@sofiagonzalezgt]

At the end is he implying that we should get wine, rum, whiskey ??? I need clarification on which one can help me see the turbulence more still. 😂😂😅😅

[@rachelgooden9981]

At the end, when he said he just orders a drink, first thing that came to mind was ‘gin and tonic’

[@deathchips926]

Hopefully this drives innovation to avoid clear air turbulence

[@AndyGilleand]

I think they will probably start using their crowdsourced data to start creating AI models that will be able to make predictions on the probability of turbulence in different places.

[@deathchips926]

sounds about right!@@AndyGilleand

[@MohammedKhaled-ju7gy]

Narrow bodies get bounced around more than wide body aircrafts. Atleast in my experience

[@loveguitar2x]

P=mv basic physics p being momentum

[@ilhamrj2599]

True. But narrow body usually flies shorter range than wide body. Thus, the probability of facing actual turbulence would still be less than wide body. If you fly longer and furthere, there are greater likelihood of turbulence.

[@cainstero]

Whole lotta turbulence

[@cj9318]

Did you pray today?

[@cj9318]

Did you pray today?

[@PikkaBite]

So basically it will not change that much in the flight planning phase. Flight routes have been calculated and decided based on weather forecasts and winds since forever. Flights might get bumpier, but that's it. Planes are designed to withstand a certain amount of turbulence. This will not put an halt to air travel, that's for sure.

[@themurrrr]

And what is this amount of turbulence planes are built to withstand? It’s easy to just drop that sentence when we have no idea what the parameters are. It’s not mentioned at any point how much this will impact the plane, short term or long term. Keep in mind, there are plenty of older planes still flying. You think those will be suddenly retired sooner by the greedy companies?

[@PikkaBite]

@@themurrrr Turbulence is expressed in g-force, as it is stated in the video. The amount of g-force that a plane can withstand depends on their structure design and dimensions. I'm not going to explain how it works or how it is calculated here, but if you're genuinely interested I suggest you to have a look at the FAA (especially CFR Part. 25 regarding airworthiness standards, § 25.341 Gust and turbulence loads) and EASA (CS-25, CS25.341, Gust and turbulence loads) regulations on the matter. As for short term or long term impact of turbulence on the planes, as well as "plenty of older planes still flying", do keep in mind that scheduled maintenance is always in order (and mandatory), and if those planes are not airworthy, they don't put the single plane down, but rather the entire plane type. Even the greedy airline companies and manufacturers have to follow the international aviation safety rules. Boeing learned it the hard way.

[@ninjaguysith]

Taking an aircraft and shaking it violently causes a lot of maintenance issues.

[@PikkaBite]

@@ninjaguysith That's why they are generally avoided via a careful planning of the flight route. No company wants to spend more than they are required to.

[@jls5373]

Thank God you know so much more than the professionals. We should all feel so much better/safer 😒🤫🫏

[@TheRafaelRamos]

New turbulence update just dropped 🌬️🍃

[@mandroid5678]

Is this the right use of "circumnavigate"?

[@darkcheeto3338]

I've never been on a plane in my life. thank you whoever made cars it doesn't matter how long it takes to drive to my vacation spots, I do not care because I enjoy driving.

[@martinc.720]

Airplanes moving around more in the next few decades as they will try and avoid turbulence. Reduced space between aircraft in the next few decades due to an increase in air traffic. That's not going to be a problem for ATC's...

[@evolancer211]

Love the physical model plane simulation there lol

[@kuronosan]

Captioner is not a fan of the word "trebling".

[@benjaminkohn8412]

7:17 basically the only info youll remember

[@RealElequist]

Now that I watched this, i'm ready to get on my flight next week yay...

[@TheAb9211]

I wonder if increasing the altitude would reduce the chances of turbulence. If that helps, future air travel can be on higher altitudes, might be faster as well.

[@onkelpappkov2666]

If you escape the atmosphere, there's no wind. That should do the trick.

[@alexateachey9680]

Yeah just turn aviation into rockets no big deal 😂 the flat-earthers will have a fit when they realize

[@kill3rbyysight]

just wen I thought I'm going to overcome my fear of flying.. by watching turbulence videos and getting exposed to it as suggested by my therapist... this is the first video that showed up ✌️🙌👏

[@sweiland75]

Why does most of the clear air turbulence happen over the US?

[@akuma2124]

It doesnt. US is one of the many hotspots. but based on the video's information, one can conclude the driving factors of the increase is 1 - climate change, 2 - CO2 emissions. When you look at industrial, agricultural and population... the US is one of your bigger contributors to both those factors. I mentioned agriculture because of all the methane gas it produces when it comes to live stock, mainly cows.

[@johnjames8707]

turbulence is reason i hate flying

[@foreveranon6940]

Same i get panic attacks but it’s weird as a kid i liked it and as i aged i developed a physical anxiety response to it

[@craziewill]

7:51 - bad advise... unless you're suggesting everyone to order a drink, put them on the tray and hope for a turbulence? because when a turbulence hit, there is NO WAY you can order anything.. the pilot would ask everyone including the air stewards to sit..

[@stultusmagnus]

lol what's up with hands grabbing model airplanes for the visuals? that retro-analog take was fun and interesting 10 years ago...

[@alexateachey9680]

Oobi discovered his career path

[@goat9295]

Did you pray today?

[@srthebox4946]

A WHOLE BUNCHA TURBULENCE! A WHOLE BUNCHA TURBULENCE, EVERYONE STRAP YO SEATBELTS, CUZ THERES BOUTA BE SOME TURBULENCE

[@AlmondChocolateMilk]

It’s bouta be some turbulence!!!

[@Wdc6872]

a whole bunch of turbulence

[@user-zy4gl1fj2c]

Bro found turbulence😅

[@debrascott8775]

This would be more convincing with data on actual incidences of turbulance ie how many minutes of turbulence year on year not just anecdotal incidents and projections.

[@harlowblackadder356]

So...this title is clickbait.

[@Runoratsu]

I love turbulence. It’s like a free rollercoaster ride. I’m all for more of it!

[@itseliasyall2384]

Bru stop it 😅 the plane is designed to handle even the roughest air. Just sit back put your hands up and just like little piggy, yell 🙌Weeeeeee!!!

[@abiyyupanggalih854]

Turbulence ☕

[@mysticul.]

Just lift your legs.

[@onkelpappkov2666]

Gotta be careful about making real-world and technology related videos. Those are very offensive to a bunch of puritan christian types, apparently. Let's not mention this real world for now and focus more on the alternative one with the magical fairies and such.

[@goat9295]

not specifically christians, just right wing nuts. many of whom tend to be- that's besides the point

[@DimaShortPlay]

prigozhin knows it best

[@missjaygh]

Ffs 😭

[@seriouslyfunny11]

Have your voiceover person blow their nose before recording next time.

[@mxcvw]

They chose a woman with earplugs up her nostrils to do the speaking in this video

[@koiyujo1543]

so basically it's gonna get worse because of climate change well good job at least it gets us to wanna act more on this

[@onkelpappkov2666]

Ooooor we're gonna increase flight traffic to compensate for longer travel times due to increasing turbulence and maybe lower our safety precautions a little and tell pilots to pick the straight line because money. You know, could be either.

[@amm0814]

Climate change isn’t a man made issue. Enough 🙄

[@niagra898]

Oh bs..” Climate change “ 😂😂

[@brandonf1260]

Climate change is real...

[@dgcastellanos]

Turbulence is not getting worse. This is absurd. It hasn’t changed since the birth of aviation and if anything it’s gotten better due to better aerodynamic design of airplanes.

[@ivanrodriguez268]

your comment is absurd, they used to have PIANOS on airplanes back in the day... turbulence was NOT common at all

[@dgcastellanos]

@@ivanrodriguez268turbulence has always been a problem

[@Ax195el]

Woul guess the turbulence is because people are changing the weather chemically, similarly as they did to effect the olympics making weather worse for the other countries when it was their turn and this and the other weird weather changes recently is the aftermath of that

[@FrogAtPond]

okay boomer

[@thefear420]

take your antipsychotic meds gramps

[@Ax195el]

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weather_modification maby russia has been cloudseeding Ukraine

[@thefear420]

​@@Ax195el *jingles car keys* Psst Psst... grandpa, take your meds now, stop talking to the shadow people 😭 *jingles car keys* just kidding but what are you going off about? do you think global warming is a myth or just think it's because of that wiki article. why would it just be ukraine? the map in the video showed America increased in turbulence too.

[@Ax195el]

@@thefear420 i know global warming is not a myth. and Ukraine was just an example

[@slittng]

did you pray today

[@nnhk0056]

No it's not. Next.

[@stoicselfie]

The main stream agenda continues strong...

[@hometube753]

💯

[@loveguitar2x]

Propaganda machine is strong

[@AnimuncuIus]

You and the people who agree with this are not very intelligent.

[@thefear420]

The brain rot conspiratards continue strong...

[@Zarkarin]

Experts: "So we've studied this for decades and have come to a consensus with this peer reviewed data-" Some random person online with absolutely no knowledge outside actual corporate/rich person propaganda: "Nuh uh"

[@user-do4gj2yb6y]

Stop with the climate change the Earth evolves, remember the ice age?

[@roninnib6635]

If the time it took for the ice age to occur as less then 500 years I’m going to say it would have been bad.

[@Lord_Rowlet]

Well remembered the mammoth, they’re cus of climate change

[@Kylirr]

nah can't say i was there for the ice age personally

[@ropro9817]

Let me guess... you're going to blame it on climate change... 😆

[@innocentrage1]

Because that's what's causing it. I blame public education for your low iq

[@imicca]

ah yes "because climate change" is going to be every video now we make nowadays

[@thefear420]

Yeah, climate change isnt some conspiracy, humans have been destroying this planet for a while. Industrial revolution just created a new one, green house gases. We aren't even acting fast enough so permanent damage could already have been done. Right wingers need to stop politicizing it, literally the last thing Americans should be polarized about right now.

[@sean668]

There’s a lot to cover

[@hometube753]

“Climate change”

[@hman2912]

Saw the title and was like "let me guess, climate change"

[@AnimuncuIus]

You're clearly not very intelligent

[@AnimuncuIus]

Pathetic trolls hate-watching videos to spread misinformation are abusing their free speech rights.

[@AnimuncuIus]

Lol what kind of videos do you watch that you consider more reputable? Alex Jones interviews and conspiracy theories. You are clearly a very serious and credible person.

[@thefear420]

and you have a severe "mental disorder" (take your meds)

[@maxshiraz3447]

BS BS complete BS. It "feels like" turbulence is getting worse is not a measurement. Turbulence is not recorded or measured so this is complete BS

[@thefear420]

they literally said it's been documented for decades and showed evidence like graphs to compare the years to

[@Zarkarin]

Take your tin foil cap off little timmy I have bad news, they literally showed you the measurements and data they've been taking. I have a feeling that maybe, just maybe, an expert might be a little more experienced than you.

[@patturnweaver]

I started getting more wary once they started mentioning global warming. How much of this politically motivated and how much of this is truth?

[@roninnib6635]

Pretty much every single piece of data is true. This has been studied for decades.

[@sean668]

It’s kind of scary people think scientific evidence is “politically motivated”, and anti-intellectualism isn’t

[@museinglis1979]

No problem! ✈️ Upper stratosphere Hyper-jets are on their way! Soon we’ll be flying over 100,000 feet up at Mach 8 speeds! 🚀 Go Go Skunkworks 🦨! 😅

[@rithloveyou9737]

Did you pray today?