Hi There,
I know nothing of flying but signed up here for some help. Maybe someone can help me decipher what happened in one of my flights. I was on flight JBU 636 this past Sunday 3/11 from STI to JFK. Very turbulent for much of the flight, the airplane turned (+/- 20 degrees) over several occasions. Pilot announced we would go over the 34K Alt. Can the data shared in this website for this flight provide any insight as to what happened? I’m extremely curious and do not want this to happen to me again! Thank you.
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@vickyse, this might help.
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/JBU636/history/20180311/1349Z/MDST/KJFK
Wind sheer is probably what the pilot was trying to avoid when he changed altitude.
Planes with radar can see some types of wind sheer. OR ATC advising planes to change altitude to where there is less wind sheer OR other pilots reporting that the area ahead is bumpy or a certain altitude is bumpy.
If you want to avoid bumpy flights you should try to fly early in the day or late at night (before sunrise and after sunset). Also try to avoid thunder storms or area near thunder storms.
The plane is designed to survive an amazing amount of turbulence. If you hear the pilot suggesting people put on their seatbelt you should. If you see the Flight Attendant sitting down or canceling food/drink service you definitely should be in your seat and buckled up. The plane is fine but you might bounce around a bit.
An altitude of 30K-40K feet is normal. The pilots have a good idea which altitude has the lowest turbulence.
The airplane bank angle of 20 degree is normal. This is how a plane turns.
There is sometimes no way to avoid turbulence. It will not damage the plane but you can be injured if not wearing a seatbelt.
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