Detecting Turbulence

Reported January 2008

BOULDER, Colo. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Airline passengers may soon have smoother flights and fewer delays! Pilots are testing a new turbulence detection system that may really pay off for both the airlines and its passengers.

United airlines captain Joe Burns says he is impressed with the turbulence detection that shows pilots where there is turbulent or smooth flying.

“Having the ability to see where the smooth air is, whereas traditionally flying around a little then hunting around for smoother air to have that projected along the flight we can hopefully avoid the rough air all together,“ Captain Burns told Ivanhoe.

Developed by mathematician, John Williams, the system, called NTDA, uses data from national weather service Doppler radar to create a three-dimensional view of turbulence that is transmitted digitally and visually to the cockpit.

“This is really the first time pilots had real time showing turbulence information showing potential clouds and storms in front of the aircraft,” Williams told Ivanhoe. "It is very gratifying years of research actually paying off with a product that is actually making a difference.”

The FAA estimates there are more than 1,000 turbulence-related injuries every year. So far, the detection system shows a greater than eighty percent accuracy rate in United's test.

Click here to Go Inside This Science or contact:

John Williams
Mathematician
National Center for Atmospheric Research
(303) 497-2822
jkwillia@ucar.edu

Airline passengers may soon have smoother flights and fewer delays. Pilots are testing a new turbulence detection system.

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