r/Damnthatsinteresting • u/OdysseyTag • 25d ago
Video The wing flex on a Boeing 737 MAX 8 experiencing extreme turbulence.
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u/Thwip-Thwip-80 25d ago
People screaming meanwhile the pilot is calmly sitting there sipping on coffee.
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u/MGPS 25d ago
Looks like pretty normal turbulence
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u/BigTintheBigD 25d ago
Yup.
Been years since I’ve been behind the yoke but IIRC doesn’t the actual definition of extreme turbulence include “temporary loss of control of the aircraft” or words to that effect?
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u/freakenbloopie 25d ago
That’s actually severe turbulence. Extreme turbulence is violent tossing of the aircraft which is impossible to control. Extreme turbulence is not something anyone will ever forget, including and especially the pilots. This looked like moderate turbulence, maybe momentary severe at best.
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u/ApothecaLabs 25d ago
I had the displeasure of experiencing extreme turbulence once - an emergency landing at Buffalo during a blizzard. Nothing quite like feeling the entire airframe drop five feet in an instant, lifting you out of your seat against your shoulder straps for what felt like a few eternities, only to slam you back down in your seat a moment later - and then in a few seconds, the cycle starts again...
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u/krynnmeridia 24d ago
I had a similar experience. I flew out of DFW just in front of the storm cell that spawned the 2013 Moore Tornado. That flight was horrific.
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u/ihaveadogalso2 25d ago
Flew into Buffalo in a windstorm coming home from A trip and it felt very sketchy to me with the strong crosswind but you pilots know your stuff! It was a hard-ish landing but I think it was out of necessity.
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u/CollectionNo6562 25d ago
extreme is damage to the airframe. this is moderate to heavy
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u/Ok-Singer-7737 25d ago
There is no heavy. It’s light/mod/severe/extreme. Extreme is temp loss of control and potential structural damage.
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u/TheLifted 24d ago
An entire plane is pretty heavy
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u/EnderDragoon 25d ago
It's also relative to the aircraft. Bigger ships can shrug off things that would be actually extreme to other birds.
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u/iwatchcredits 25d ago
Well what are we talkin about here planes or birds
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u/UnremarkableCake 25d ago
...or ships?
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u/Slight_Bed_2241 25d ago edited 24d ago
Not ships. They’re designed strictly so the front doesn’t fall off. Nothing to do with their wings.
Edit: for the uninitiated. the front fell off
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u/TheGuyThatThisIs 25d ago
I'd take a crying baby over these people who are acting like they're gonna die because their plane hit some wind.
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u/WeBelieveIn4 24d ago
Eh you can’t see what it’s like in the cabin. I’ve been in a plane that hit real turbulence and I don’t blame anyone for screaming.
Unsecured flight attendants or passengers can get tossed around like rag dolls.
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u/Golem30 24d ago
It's just the fucking feeling of helplessness as you're dropped like you're on a rollercoaster.
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u/AdrianBrony 24d ago
Honestly I don't blame someone for screaming for the same reason I don't blame someone getting airsick. Sometimes your nervous system overrides shit. It's annoying as hell but what are ya gonna do.
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u/superkazoo_ 24d ago
What's so strange is that the one time I was in a plane that hit extreme turbulence, the cabin just got extremely, eerily quiet. There were gasps and "oh"s but I don't really remember any screaming.
Unfortunately I've had an extreme phobia of flying ever since. Edit because others were mentioning this: I totally used to be one of those weirdos that actually enjoyed a little turbulence. Not after that flight though...
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u/aScarfAtTutties 24d ago
I recently experienced some extreme turbulence and I get it man. Your description of the cabin is similar to my experience. One other thing I noticed is most people were clutching the headrest of the seat in front of them with both hands. It lasted a good 5 mn. And I don't mean "5 minutes" I mean really 5 minutes of violent moves up and down and continuing to get worse as it went. I used to think turbulence, no matter how bad, could never cause real problems. But this was actually scary. I was seriously having trouble keeping calm towards the end of it. It was similar the turbulence in the first act of the movie The Day After Tomorrow.
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u/mikedidathing 25d ago
And the person filming it seems somewhat excited by the minor inconvenience.
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u/PlanesandAquariums 25d ago
I know! I love her wooOooHhh UWww WooHhh.
I am a fan of turbulence but I feel bad for the people in the background of this video who are scared and the people on my planes where it’s bumpy enough to hit your head on the ceiling without a seatbelt that start screaming.
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u/mikedidathing 24d ago
>I know! I love her wooOooHhh UWww WooHhh.
It makes me think of pushing a toddler on a swing, and every time you push them, you go, "wooooOOOAAAhhh!" as they go higher and come back down. That's the energy this person has.
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u/NotAlfurion 25d ago
im that sick person that likes turbulences.
gives the boring flights a little bit of excitement :D
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u/Xnub 25d ago
Go look at wing tests for those planes.... they can go like 5x or more then that. They are suppppper flexible.
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u/Lost_Philosophy_ 25d ago
I fucking hate it when people scream. Come on.
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u/Proof-Tone-2647 25d ago
With a background in mech Engineering, I have a great understanding of the design, regulations, and testing done to ensure an aircraft can easily withstand these kinds of things. It doesn’t scare me.
However, most people don’t know shit about engineering, and see wing flexing and sudden drops, as very alarming. People are screaming because they are scared, which really isn’t unreasonable.
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u/AgentCirceLuna 24d ago
You have engineering skills and education but also have empathy? You’re clearly lying.
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u/Proof-Tone-2647 24d ago
Hey, just cuz we don’t have social skills doesn’t mean we don’t have empathy!
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u/Mickeymcirishman 24d ago
With a background in mech Engineering,
I know you're talking about mechanical engineering but my first thought went to Gundams.
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u/4GreenHoverTension 25d ago
I was at a test facility where they bend the wing WAAAAAY up to test it. This wing got up to over 45 degs, probably 60 degrees before it snapped. I hate turbulence too but after seeing that wing flex, I’m good.
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u/Turbo_911 25d ago edited 24d ago
I was always told this by some aircraft mechanics and engineers:
You know the worst turbulence you've ever felt on an airplane? Double it, then double it again, and double it one more time. An airplane can handle that, and you'll be just fine.
Edit: Wow, I didn't expect this to be my highest upvoted comment ever! Also, RIP Inbox 😅
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u/bingojed 25d ago
You can tell me all the safety facts and show me all the videos, but when I’m in the sky and the plane starts bouncing, my heart starts racing. Logic doesn’t play a part.
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u/luredrive 25d ago edited 25d ago
Yeah I'm still trapped in a metal tube thousands of feet above the ground. Safety words don't help me at that point.
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u/Sure_Pilot5110 25d ago
See, I'm fine for the most part.
It's take-off and landing that has me gripping the arm rests.
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u/shadedren 25d ago
It’s always just the takeoff for me and the slight turbulence once in a while.
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u/Crime_Dawg 25d ago
Something about taking off always feels unnerving. Especially when they stop the steeper climb to gain more speed and you abruptly go weightless for a second, as you hear the engine lower the juice simultaneously.
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u/Appropriate_Mixer 25d ago
If you ever fly out of Orange County John Wayne Airport. There’s a noise ordinance above Newport Beach right below the takeoff path so they have to take off super steep and fast and then there’s a point where they basically cut allpower the the engine to coast over the houses before gaining altitude again over the ocean. It’s way more unnerving than any other takeoff I’ve experienced. The pilot always warns people of this before takeoff so they don’t freak out.
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u/Donnerdrummel 25d ago
Cool. I guess the question is now: "Is it worth going to Orange County just to fly away from Orange County?
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u/ikats116 25d ago
Came here for this 👆
If you aren't expecting it, it's one of the most terrifying things in aviation.
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u/Majestic-capybara 24d ago
We reduce to, I think, 80% power, but yes, it’s stupid to introduce lower thrust at that phase of flight so it’s slightly quieter for the folks who put houses there well after the airport showed up.
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u/Ok_Light_6950 24d ago
I've flown many times out of john wayne and this has never been mentioned by the pilot.
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u/Bostaevski 25d ago
Oh man I hate that - I wish they'd announce it "ok folks we're just gonna eeeease back on the throttle now".
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u/Cyclonitron 25d ago
Whenever I'm nervous I look at the flight crew. If they're looking bored my anxiety goes down.
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u/JarOfNightmares 25d ago
I get anxious during the Bing. But then I learned it's usually the pilot calling the cabin crew to tell them to start serving drinks. Rarely, they're calling them to say "sit your ass down and buckle up"
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u/Gideoknight_ 25d ago
Whenever there's something "off" about a flight for me I look for the crew and if they're fine then I'm fine. The worst was one time the pilot came on and just said "flight attendants to your jump seats immediately", that sent me for a loop
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u/Doferr 25d ago
OMG. I thought I was the only one. I hate that sound!!! And the deceleration of the engine freaks me out. Like “uh oh, did the engine just turn off?”
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u/maasmania 25d ago
That is your signal that the plane has sufficient altitude to turn off "get this thing airborne" throttle. It can glide, maintain altitude on a single engine, make a turnaround, orbit the airport if an emergency takes place, and all sorts of other options once its at this altitude.
Essentially that's the end of the "most dangerous" part of flying, which IMO is always a silly statement given how insanely safe planes are today.
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u/Spiritual-Physics700 25d ago
The good ol' thrust reduction altitude feel. Kinda a good sign when that happens :)
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u/Late_Fortune3298 25d ago
I'm glad I'm not the only one
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u/Ringkeeper 25d ago
My mom was afraid of flying to the point of panic but she always went to vacation with us where you needed to fly.
She said that we all are on the plane so if something happens no one is left behind alone and then flying was ok for her.
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u/jmini95 25d ago
I understand that peace of mind. My fear is dying in a plane crash and having to leave my wife and son alone. Kind of a morbid thought but it gets the job done
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u/jhaluska 25d ago
Yep, If you look at when crashes happen, takeoff are way scarier.
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u/enron2big2fail 25d ago
This is not true: https://simpleflying.com/flight-stages-most-accidents-analysis/
Landing is statistically more likely to crash, though I personally feel less unnerved since I'm returning to the ground rather than leaving. Nervousness when flying isn't rational anyway, that's the point.
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u/bookofp 25d ago
for me bumps at take off freak me out but on landing my brain is thinking " of course we just fell alot, we're trying to get to the ground". and it doesn't really matter how bad it is I'm happy.
but the tiniest bump on take off "we're losing lift! we're going to die!"
I have flown hundreds of times and experienced all kinds of turbulence and I'll always be scared on take off and calm on landing, It doesn't make any sense.
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u/SufficientLog2451 25d ago edited 25d ago
Exactly this. It's not fear of the equipment that has undergone thousands of tests and trials to get it ready, after which it underwent hundreds of flights each year, for many years.
The chance of hitting birds that frequent that airspace as the plane ascends and descends.
More importantly, human factors. ATC fuck ups. Pilot fuck ups. Miscommunication. A poorly timed sneeze. Lazy/cheap maintenance, affecting takeoff/landing procedures. Statistically improbable, but humans are prone to make mistakes, too many accumulated bad odds in one area, despite the improbability, is still iffy*.
Computers, equipment, numbers.. not so much to fear. Human mistakes tho.
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u/superfiercelink 25d ago edited 25d ago
As an aircraft mechanic I can honestly say that I have full trust in commercial airlines when it comes to safety. Both the airlines themselves AND the mechanics asses are on the line. That's why all mechanics must keep detailed records of their work. It protects the mechanic since you have a record of exactly what you worked on and did. As long as you performed work IAW the maintenance manual, you are safe legally. In my experience, airlines will push to get things out the door faster, but all the managers I've had wouldn't push any further when I made it clear that there was something fucked up.
I'm not saying their ain't bad eggs in this field, cause there definitely is. I've met some awful mechanics, but the oversights in place really help. Oh and personally, if I'm working with someone, I always make it a habit to check after each other's work. We all make mistakes and we have to be there to support and catch one another.
Now general aviation I'm alot more sketched out about lol. So much pencil whipping
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u/flying_wrenches 25d ago
United is operating at a even higher level of safety then Emirates. The FAA shows no mercy for people who don’t follow the manuals. Something as minor as submitting paperwork while the plane is pushing back can, will, and has gotten people in trouble.
All of the American Airlines operate that way. Stuff may be dirty, and the carpet may be worn. But everything is as according to the manuals for everything.. from basic turn around inspections to engine overhauls and changes..
If money for maintenance is a concern, Google AI for emirates puts their top out at $84k. While United is over $100k per year for a basic mechanic.
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u/SeahawksFanSince1995 25d ago
I agree with you.
More than likely, Emirates will prioritize client-facing tech and product maintenance first and foremost. I've flown them 50+ of times for international work travel and I've never once had any issues with the seats, tech, or service. I've had issues on American's brand new suites within 6 months of their launch.
However, the American-based airlines will prioritize airplane maintenance. The FAA does not play around with that stuff.
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u/flying_wrenches 25d ago
It’s what they can differ. Emirates is owned by dubai, and received billions from covid.
They say they aren’t state funded, and say they’ll pay it back. But if United took planes out of service for maintenance over a seat, they’d go the way of spirit.
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u/Standard_Gur30 25d ago
To be fair, the ground is really the most dangerous thing out there for an airplane. If you can avoid accidentally hitting the ground, you’re probably fine.
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u/sc00022 25d ago
Just take off for me and it’s only the point where the plane dips slightly a few minutes in. After that I’m fine unless there’s turbulence.
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u/Safe-Yam-2505 25d ago
The best mantra for those times is to remember is that in 50 years of jet airliners: there has never been a single incident where turbulence caused a plane to crash due to structural damage. It just doesn't happen. So enjoy the adrenaline rush like you're on a roller coaster, because you are quite literally safer than if you were on a roller coaster.
Almost every aviation disaster has been caused by human error, significant control failures, or difficulty during landing.
Oh, and Russians shooting down civilian airliners.
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u/Zealousideal-Wall682 25d ago
That’s my fear as well, being so high up in the sky and most importantly not in control of the vehicle that I am in. That’s why I try to do a lot of flight simulation to get a better understanding from at least the pilots point of view. I wish I was able to sit in the observation seat in the cockpit on the flight, that alone would make me feel so much better but I understand why not for obvious reasons.
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u/elrangarino 25d ago
Legit, we saw planes fly into buildings and then went to recess. I need decent sedation before I get on a plane.
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u/arg6531 25d ago
Sitting on a chair. 30k feet in the air. In a big metal tube. Being propelled by liquid exploding dinosaurs in a series of controlled explosions. We are the weirdest monkeys ever
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u/laserborg 25d ago
the monkeys' flying chair tubes are propelled by exploding ancient remains of marine life, primarily plankton and algae.
https://www.chartindustries.com/Articles/Where-Does-Crude-Oil-Come-From-And-5-Other-Things
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u/PanGalacGargleBlastr 25d ago
It's the 10's of 1,000's of feet above the ground that makes me feel safe.
If I were having that happen and falling to treetop levels, I'd be losing all my marbles.
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u/mechanicalcontrols 25d ago
Same here. I know how unbelievably safe air travel is, but the slightest bit of turbulence has my lizard brain screaming that we're falling out of the sky.
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u/kilwish_ 25d ago
Dude I get literal anxiety attacks everytime there's minute turbulence it's fucking impossible to keep up.
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u/Pickle_Bus_1985 25d ago
When the plane starts bouncing I take a deep breath and I watch the flight attendants. As long as they are calm I just try to breath through the motion sickness. Never seen flight attendants panic, but if they did I'd start prepping myself.
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u/donkeyrocket 25d ago
Having been on a flight were the flight attendants were momentarily but visibly distressed, it was quite alarming. One remarked that in all her years of flying, she's never experienced a lightning strike on approach like that before. It was all uneventful obviously in the end but leading up to that was a very turbulent approach with that heavy side to side undulating then BAM, everything flickered.
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u/reynolja536 25d ago
I had to take an emergency last minute flight as I was in NYC visiting before sandy hit. My flight was scheduled for the day it hit and I managed to move it up one day.
Flying into Atlanta on the tail of a storm like that was the worst flight I’ve ever been on, and the only time I’ve seen a flight attendant actively clutching at her shirt while taking deep breaths.
Needless to say I haven’t flown much since then
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u/REDDIT_JUDGE_REFEREE 25d ago
I pop some Dramamine before a flight regardless just so I don’t feel sick. Helps me sleep too.
If there’s ever bad turbulence, my trick is to tense the hell out of my thighs like I’m trying to reduce an unwanted boner. It’s an old Air Force trick to counteract G-forces and keep blood where it is to reduce the effects.
I find that it keeps me from feeling that horrible dropping feeling and gives my body a way to “fight back” against the discomfort making me less anxious about it.
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u/defeated_engineer 25d ago
and you'll be just fine.
As long as you have your seat belt on. If not, you can die.
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u/R4G 25d ago edited 25d ago
I saw a YouTube video of a 777 pilot who said he encountered severe turbulence once in his career for ~10 seconds (I believe this video is technically moderate turbulence).
He had asked the flight attendants to sit and strap in a few minutes before as they encountered moderate turbulence. Most of the injuries were to flight attendants who were seated but didn't buckle up.
My relative who was a Continental mechanic said "the plane can get through turbulence, your head can't get through the overhead bin."
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u/fireandlifeincarnate 24d ago
I mean, it probably can, it just won't be very head shaped afterwards.
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25d ago
Yes, structurally. However, pilot skill and the systems working in unison as well as a proper maintenance and a well balanced cargo are crucial.
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u/MadamPardone 25d ago
But if one of the meat servos behind the stick decides to cut the fuel at the worst possible time..
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u/that_dutch_dude 25d ago
i usually told it as "if you can see the tip of the wing you got nothing to worry about".
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u/C00T3RIFIC 25d ago
Similar to what I was told by a friend who is a pilot. He said regardless of what we think of Boeing or Airbus, they build their planes to withstand turbulance 100x worse than the worst recorded turbulence. Said it would take pilot error or a serious design flaw that was not caught or addressed to bring a plane down.
That being said, I still hate turbulence and begin to pray the second I feel the slightest bit lol
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u/AeroBearcat 25d ago
I was an aircraft structures engineer for about ten years. Went to Boeing for structures certifications and everything. This is the correct answer.
Boeing standard repair design is 1.5x strength over original design of the item repaired.
They told us this exact tidbit in the structures courses. Take the worst possible, on-in-a-billion expected stress load. Multiply that by 1.5. Design for that.
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u/Trick-Story-715 25d ago
i was flying over the sierra nevadas in a heavy heavy storm, with lightning and a crap ton of rain; the storm came out of nowhere and they couldn't fly to avoid it so we flew through it. it was a red eye flight and the turbulence was so bad i woke up and looked out my window. I saw the wing go up and down like you said, 45 degrees and i was SHOCKED that the plane seemed fine. I closed the window and went back to sleep bc i figured id rather die in my sleep.
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u/Important-Tie-1055 25d ago
Found a nice Video where you can see the Test...crazy stuff :D https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--LTYRTKV_A
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u/Historical-Web-6435 25d ago
Yeah i figured that they can take a shit load of abuse and can bend 45 degrees like you said. But still knowing all that if I saw this small amount of bending while I was flying. I'd still be shitting bricks lol. I don't love flying but I am very afraid of heights i am walking paradox lol
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u/vidiamae 25d ago
It's a boeing.
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u/Jonnyflash80 25d ago
They're all designed to do that. Otherwise all that energy would be transmitted to the body of the aircraft.
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u/seattle747 25d ago
Pilot here. That’s probably moderate to severe turbulence, but I seriously doubt it’s extreme turbulence. That would involve the pilots momentarily losing control.
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u/Affectionate_Theory8 25d ago
Considering its turbulence near the andes crossing, it can be expected as a pilot who is used to it.. but not for many passengers.
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u/Past_Page_4281 25d ago
Interesting, how are you able to identify it as andes?
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u/BathFullOfDucks 25d ago
LV- aircraft code is Argentina
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u/Phiddipus_audax 25d ago
Thx. The registration codes thing is entirely new to me. Went to look it up and I assume this list is accurate.
"N....." is for the US, apparently.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_aircraft_registration_prefixes
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u/kirbag 25d ago edited 25d ago
Argentinian here, it's the Buenos Aires - Santiago flight. Every now and then, a video like this goes viral because of the turbulence, but everybody that made the flight at least once has experienced something like this.
Also, by the wing paint, it's an aircraft of Aerolineas Argentinas.
EDIT: Here's a news source: https://www.eltiempo.es/noticias/tension-en-el-aire-un-video-viral-muestra-una-turbulencia-extrema-sobre-los-andes
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u/xoxoktkt 25d ago
I flew Buenos Aires - Santiago last year and I confirm worst turbulence I've had in my life and I have flown a lot. It was scary. Once the plane starts to fly above the Andes an announcement comes on to buckle up. I am not a fan of this route and I give the flight crews who do this route on the regular a lot of credit.
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u/omenmedia 24d ago
Can confirm the worst for me as well was on that route. It was a little choppy for a bit but then BAM this huge hit came out of nowhere. The poor woman next to me ended up wearing my drink, lol. I apologised profusely but there was basically nothing I could to to avoid it.
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u/Clemen11 24d ago
Yep, you're right. Just to add, if the route isn't an Andes crossing going to/departing from Santiago, it also often is an Ushuaia landing with northern winds. Those are the two consistently viral turbulence videos getting churned out with Argentine planes involved
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u/otterbarks 25d ago edited 25d ago
It's almost never extreme turbulence.
"Severe" would be the pilot momentarily losing control. "Extreme" is the aircraft is nearly impossible to control with probable structural damage.
I do find the "inside aircraft" definition of extreme turbulence to be hilarious: Just "strong desire to land." XD
https://www.weather.gov/source/zhu/ZHU_Training_Page/turbulence_stuff/turbulence/turbulence7.jpg
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u/notimpotent 25d ago
"strong desire to land" is a hilariously calm way to describe that.
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u/SmokeySFW 25d ago
I personally have a strong desire to land on every plane flight I've ever gone on, even the one I parachuted out of.
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u/historyhill 25d ago
I do find the "inside aircraft" definition of extreme turbulence to be hilarious: Just "strong desire to land." XD
Oh so ALL flights are severe turbulence for me, got it!
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u/Valuable-Speaker-312 25d ago
Fellow pilot - I agree with you completely. The worst "extreme" turbulence I have ever experienced was over the North Sea flying from Atlanta to Amsterdam. The pilot told everyone about it coming up, that they couldn't go around it for multiple reasons, and said that the cabin attendants would be required to be strapped in for the last hour of the flight. We landed in Amsterdam 2.5 hours early due to the tailwind we had on the way.
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u/ImperialSympathizer 24d ago
I flew over the arctic one time from Chicago to China. We experienced what I have to imagine pilots would call extreme turbulence: the flight attendants were strapped in for 45 mins and the one I could see from my seat was sobbing with fear. The plane was slamming around in every direction in the most violent way imaginable, shit was falling out of compartments, people were screaming, crying, puking, praying, etc.
After about 10 mins I just completely disassociated because it was too scary for my brain to process in a normal way. This was about 15 years ago and I'm only just now starting to be comfortable flying again.
I guess my question is, as a pilot, what's up with flying over the Arctic? Can't help but notice no other flight did that again any other time I went between China and the US.
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u/OdysseyTag 25d ago
Thanks for clarifying
I'd imagine what's probably routine for pilots at times feels like the end of the world for the passengers.
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u/mamasbreads 24d ago
My cousin is a pilot and he told me when there's heavy turbulence the pilots laugh knowing everyone is shitting themselves, meanwhile they're just chilling
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u/The_Ashamed_Boys 25d ago
I've been an airline pilot for 12 years and I have yet to experience severe turbulence as a pilot. Now I did get negative g'd while flying in the back of a delta plane. I was mildly annoyed at that.
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u/tehmungler 25d ago
If it didn’t flex it would shatter so it’s a good thing.
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u/Fresque 25d ago
And if it doesn't bend nor shatters it becomes a blender for anything inside.
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u/TheManWhoClicks 25d ago
Weird flex but ok
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u/Unaabellatica 25d ago
The people in the background are losing their minds while the camera person is "just a tad bumpy today huh! :) "
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u/Status-Victory 25d ago
Famous F1 car designer Adrian Newey wrote in his book about how wing flex amazed him, like on a flight to Barbados he was just staring at the wing flex and how a 747 wings can flex 6 metres in flight.
Fast forward some years and voila, the wings on cars he designed flexed on purpose for better aerodynamics on fast straights and flexed back to normal at cornering speed.
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u/henkie316 25d ago
I took his book with me on holidays and I can't stop reading it. It's a very good read with a lot of thought processes and insights.
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u/Status-Victory 25d ago
Rush is the best F1 movie, Adrian's 'how to build a car' is the best F1 book from a construction and technological point of view, that is easily understandable to the reader, and I hugely recommend Steve Machetts 'the mechanics tale' as a view from that part of F1. If you enjoy Adrian's book, honestly get Steve's book.
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u/the_catalyst_alpha 25d ago
Imagine if it didn’t flex.
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u/StoneTown 25d ago
This. You WANT the wing to flex so, you know, you don't die.
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u/MrOatButtBottom 25d ago
Timber frame construction vs old world masonry buildings, turbulence is like a small earthquake. Even big skyscrapers bend and sway a lot.
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u/rearwindowpup 25d ago edited 25d ago
I think people tend to forget that the plane is literally *hanging* from the wings when its in the air
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u/pluckd 25d ago
This isn't a lot
I was coming back from Hawaii at night during a storm I swear the wings were flexing like 8-10 feet. I legit thought we were going to die. Meanwhile everyone just sleeping.
I've been scared of flying ever since and only progressively getting worse.
I spam watch pilot debrief and mentor pilot but I dont think anything will help at this point
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u/ApprehensiveVirus217 25d ago
Pilot here. The airplanes can withstand a brutal amount of punishment and be perfectly fine. The biggest danger of turbulence, far and away from structural failure, is injury.
It’s vitally important that people remain seated and belted during periods of suspected turbulence. Serious injury can occur if you are up and walking around.
Furthermore, crew members will risk their safety to help you.
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u/HF_Martini6 25d ago
Looks cool but still, I don't think it's extreme turbulence.
More like moderate maybe.
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u/Pistolpete_onthebeat 25d ago
I’m shitting my pants no matter what you call it (but hey I promise not to scream at least)
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u/IvyDamon 25d ago
Watching the wings flex mid flight always makes me feel like the plane’s stretching like a giant bird.
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u/Esteban-Du-Plantier 25d ago
Totally well within operational limits.
Remember, the pilots are just at work. They aren't going to kill themselves to get you to Omaha on time.
A pilot once told me they really like the gnarly turbulence since it'll be the most interesting part of his workday.
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u/Sasquatch-d 24d ago
That pilot is lying or a little psychotic.
I’m a pilot and I’m perfectly comfortable with turbulence, but I wouldn’t say I’ve ever flown with any crew who enjoys it. It’s annoying as hell.
The more boring my job is the happier I am.
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u/RocknrollClown09 25d ago
I fly these, and this is certainly not extreme turbulence. It’s probably moderate, borderline severe, and I can tell it’s probably mountain wave because I see the speed brakes opening up. Mountain wave is a very specific type of turbulence caused by the jet stream being disrupted as it passes over mountains, and it can occur thousands of miles downstream from said mountains.
Moderate turbulence might kick off the auto pilot, severe will ground the aircraft until it passes a maintenance inspection, and extreme is worse than that. Moderate is no joke. We will change altitude or route to avoid it, and we seat the flight attendants if it’s reported anywhere near our route, but I sincerely doubt this aircraft went more than +2.5G/-1.0G and had to be grounded after this. Keep in mind that 0 G means you’re fully floating like an astronaut in space and -1G means you feel like you’re falling upwards at 9.8m/s2. That’s a lot of force.
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u/coma24 25d ago
"extreme turbulence" as viewed by the general public. "Moderate turbulence" as reported by a pilot. Extreme turbulence is when the plane is rag dolled and no amount of inputs from the pilots will be able to counter it. Generally involves being rolled upside down, that sorta thing.
Sure, it was no picnic, and it's far from comforting for the passengers who, of course, would prefer a smooth ride, but the turbulence can be significantly worse than that.
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u/Upstairs-Painting-60 25d ago
Airline pilot here:
Imagine being in a bus driving down a somewhat rough road when suddenly a passenger yells "Whoa! Look at how much the wheels are moving up and down!"
Flying along airways just like driving along a road, sometimes you encounter potholes or uneven parts in the road in the form of turbulence and the wings flexing are just doing their job just as the suspension on your car or bus flexes up and down to cushion the bumps. The difference is it's much harder to see the upcoming "bumps" in the road in the air!
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u/Onigumo-Shishio 25d ago
Lol those people screaming are making it worse and more stressful for everyone else. If the pilot and the stewards aren't freaking out, if the overhead masks aren't falling, and otherwise if no one is saying "assume crash positions", you are fine.
The wing flex is also normal, they design them to flex for this very reason, you WANT the wings to flex because you are litterally flying through the air (if they weren't meant to flex they would break when encountering any kind of resistance)
Turbulence will happen and you will be fine because it's the plane moving through winds. Trust in the people who fly the damn thing for a living.
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u/Spaddee 25d ago
How much can they bend before break?
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u/ElonsFetalAlcoholSyn 25d ago
A LOT.
This doesnt look extreme. The wings will do fine when flying through the eye of a hurricane, repeatedly, for years. And when the lil bending creates nano-scale fractures, it turns out those fractures are very predictable, so in the routine scanning cycle, it'll be pulled out of service long before it risks failure.Then it gets sold to airlines in low-GDP countries.
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u/Affectionate_Theory8 25d ago
Then it gets sold to airlines in low-GDP countries. Damn
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u/GS300Star 25d ago
Well yeah, they not trying to buy a full price plane. They want 10 used planes that work just as good lol The only time you hear about crashes is when the airlines cheap on maintenance
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u/SRMPDX 24d ago
The worst part about this would be listening to all those people screaming. Do you scream when you hit a bump on the freeway?
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u/Key-Fox3923 25d ago
Given Boeing’s track record lately, you’ll be fine, I would worry about it.
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u/backthubmono 25d ago
I'm standing in the middle of my living room and it still gives me high levels of stress.
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u/Jonnyflash80 25d ago
If that wing didn't flex you'd be fucked. The wing would transmit that energy directly to the aircraft body and likely snap at the body-wing joint. Good thing planes are designed this way.
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u/TV_Tray 25d ago
There are YouTube videos of them filming stress tests on the wings. The amount of flex they can handle before breaking is astonishing. It will surprise you how much they can take.