Pilot Technique in Turbulence

Clear air turbulence and thunderstorm turbulence are compared. The flight technique to be used is the same in all turbulence. Upsets in thunderstorm turbulence are discussed. Years ago there was evidence of a clear pattern in the upsets involving propeller driven airplanes. There was heavy airplane nose down elevator use following a violent updraft with eventual recovery from a deep dive. A similar pitch axis pattern is apparent in jet upsets. The swept wing jet has different stability characteristics; has a motor driven horizontal stabilizer as well as an elevator to control around the pitch axis; has improved flight instrumentation. Pilot training and a stabilizer modification have contributed to a dramatic decline in incident reports.