 If
you’ve ever flown
on an airplane, you are
probably familiar with
turbulence. Even for the
most experienced flyers,
the sudden sometimes violent
irregular air motion can
be an unsettling experience.
In most cases turbulence
is merely an inconvenience
that passengers and flight
crews must endure. But
in cases of severe turbulence,
the violent shaking can
not only cause serious
injury to passengers and
crew, but can also be
fatal.
In an effort to help
aircraft avoid regions
of severe turbulence,
researchers at NASA are
testing new onboard aircraft
systems. The Airborne
Research Integrated Experiments
System or ARIES, uses
experimental systems that
help detect turbulence
minutes before an aircraft
encounters it. This new
system may allow pilots
to avoid turbulence, making
flying safer.
Paula Vaiden spoke with
Neil O'Connor in the Crew
Systems Branch at NASA
Langley Research Center
to find out more.
Additional Information
http://oea.larc.nasa.gov/news_rels/2002/02-040.html
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