The best way to overcome fear of flying is to be armed with the facts and I really appreciate all these nuggets of information on the science of turbulence. What I would be interested in learning more about is CLEAR AIR turbulence. I've flown over a million miles in my day, and I've gathered the following empirical data: (1) Anytime you pass through a cloud, no matter how wispy, you get bumps. This makes sense because a cloud is basically whipped-up air and moisture so there has to be wind present. (2) Anytime you fly around a big anvil cloud atop a thunderstorm you get bumps. Makes sense because it's a violent chunk of weather and the air surrounding it is unstable. (3) Anytime you fly over a low blanket of clouds that look like a quilt, the air is very smooth. I have supposed this is because the cloud layer represents the highest point of convection in the atmosphere and there's no disturbed air above it. HOWEVER, I can't quite come up with any reasoning for bumpy air when you are flying out in the clear blue with full view of the ground below. Hot ait rising from the earth's surface? Eddys off the jet stream? Very dry air that can form no clouds from the wind? Enquiring minds (who use knowledge to calm themselves in the air) want to know!
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