This is a wonderful article. Understanding the physics as to why it is safe to fly through tubulance is great but I still think emotional factors can have a huge impact. I have recently been on a flight where turbulance was the second worst I have experienced, it was at night and we were flying on the edge of a storm system . The captain made announcements before the flight and several times during the flight as to what was going on, and to "enjoy the light show on the right" because it was a rare treat to see this much lightning. His calm voice and demenor calmed many of the passengers who would have otherwise been rattled. Basically he was saying to us "we know this is worse than you have probably been through but we are fine up here so you can be assured that everything is ok." It is one thing to "know" it is going to be ok, it is another to have the captain take 10 seconds out every 20 minutes to let you know. Most of the passengers poked their head into the cockpit to thank the crew for their reassurance. I certainly did.
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