Turbulence assessment and decision making on the flight deck and in the cabin

Abstract

In order to understand how commercial airline pilots and flight attendants (FAs) assess and make decisions concerning clear air turbulence (CAT), two surveys were conducted (Search Technology, 1998a; 1998b). Questions asked how pilots assess turbulence including what information they gather and use during the pre-flight and in-flight phases. Although the FAA has recommended turbulence procedures, the surveys were designed to investigate what decisions they actually make in turbulence. A previous paper details the pilot survey results (Bass & Ernst-Fortin, 1999). This paper discusses the FA survey results, differences found between the two communities with regard to turbulence judgments and decision making, and suggested improvements.