Coming in for a landing... (Phoenix: automobile, area, buildings)

[hezzy]

I just got back from Phoenix yesterday after a wonderful weekend of househunting and wanted to pose a question. Not sure if I just have really bad luck or a weak stomach, but what is up with the crazy turbulance coming into Phoenix?? Is it the heat pockets? Is this normal- does it matter what size plane you are on? I'm now a tad nervous for our next trip down there.

[sablebaby]

Really the only time I noticed bad turbulance was the last time I flew into Phx, but I blamed the pilot as the entire trip was BAD!!! My friend and I were joking the entire time that we were going to die.

[observer53]

Flying into and out of Phoenix in the late spring and summer months can be very bumpy, even in regular size (737 and up) airliners, more so in the smaller jets. I don't care for it either, but it happens, some days worse than others. Going in and out early in the morning and later in the evening helps.

[Woody7]

It's the heat emanating from the valley floor.

[Captain Bill]

Heat rising at uneven rates will cause this bumpiness, and there is nothing tr worry about.

What you have coming into Phoenix is a lot of concrete and asphalt that will heat up and that hot air will rise. Then there is a lot of desert area, and many buildings where you do not have the same heat rise.

This is what one normally refers to as air pockets. The plane goes through one area of stable air, and then into an area of rising air, and that causes the bumpiness. It's also referred to as turbulence, and in this case it would be light turbulence.

Just think of it as if you're riding in an automobile down a bumpy dirt road.

The way to handle any turbulence is to just sit back in your seat and relax so that your body moves with the seat. If you're at a window seat, then look outside and enjoy the view.

I was an airline pilot for 35 years, 27 years with Pan Am, and this type of light turbulence was always the least of my concerns.

[acrylic]

The heat thing makes sense. But can someone explain why flying out of Minneapolis, there's almost ALWAYS turbulence? Captain Bill, maybe you could explain? I'm thinking it has something to do with the cloud cover? *shrugs*

[LeprechaunSean]

I'll be flying into phoenix on saturday, it'll be interesting to see if there's any turbulence...

[observer53]

Sean,

You should feel some bumps as the plane descends. Most of the time, it's no biggie. I don't mind some bumps, as long as it is daylight out. Bumpy flights in the dark make me a little nervous.

[azkylady2]

Originally Posted by hezzy

I just got back from Phoenix yesterday after a wonderful weekend of househunting and wanted to pose a question. Not sure if I just have really bad luck or a weak stomach, but what is up with the crazy turbulance coming into Phoenix?? Is it the heat pockets? Is this normal- does it matter what size plane you are on? I'm now a tad nervous for our next trip down there.

from Ohio, he told me "you wouldn't have liked that flight" we had pretty bad turbulance the whole way back. I have had a few bumpy rides back from Ohio as well, the ride out is always better then coming back.

[flcagurl]

Well Sort of! Becasue Phoenix is in a valley, you have the wind and the heat that make the decent in phoenix a little ruff..