Oct 19thTravelling East & West Malaysia

Due to work, I had been transfer from East to the West Malaysia of capital city, Kuala Lumpur since May 2007. I had gone through the hard time and a sweet time in Kuala Lumpur.

In geographical, East Malaysia and West Malaysia divided into two continents with South China Sea in between. The main transportation for both continent, of course is an aircraft. No thought people can use private boat or express boat crossing the South China Sea but too dangerous. Unexpected rough sea, high tide wave, high sea flow and weather make it almost impossible for small boat.

With the air transport (AirAsia & MAS) provided in two continents, indeed brings convenience to peoples in terms of time saving, business dealings, visiting, travelling etc. A research has made between the people of two continents. The peoples live in West Malaysia flied less than East Malaysia. Usually, I will spend 4 times a year travel back to my hometown in the East.

Some of my friend has told me that, they afraid of “Turbulence” during flight. My advice for them is trying to understand some basic airplane turbulence and you will free of worry.

What is the basic of airplane turbulence principle you should know?

Symptoms 1: Shaking Flight

Aircraft was encountering light or medium turbulence, this happen when the aircraft passing through the cloud. The cloud usually comes alone with the wind. The tickers the cloud is, the stronger the wind are. Pilot will alert passengers fasten seatbelt for safety reason and using of toilet not longer allowed.

In a small single or twin propeller airplane, pilots will always looking for smooth air by avoiding flying through the clouds.

Symptoms 2: Turning Flight

A lots passenger got frightened when an airplane makes a steep turn. In a normal condition, commercial airplane cannot make more than 20 degree turning according to FAA rules. If so, something is goes wrong and the pilot trying to avoid collision with another aircraft. But not worry. Now a day almost every airplane does equip with sensors to detect any nearby aircraft within 10NM (Nautical Miles).

Symptoms 3: Weird Sound of Flight

You might hear some weird and strange sound during take-off, landing and Cruising. These sounds can be retracted of landing gear, Flaps, Engine and Dispenses of landing gear.

Symptoms 4: Thunderstorms

When airplane passing through the thunderstorm, you may experience shaky, unstable flight and suddenly drop. This is due to strong wind, uneven wind speed and downdraft.

Symptoms 5: Downward-moving Air

This scenario happen minority, if you are unlucky. Downward-moving air is similar to the moving water, just that we could not see in the air. When airplane flies into downward-moving air, airplane will drop with the air and usually 500ft to 1000ft depending on the situation. This is very serious condition. If passengers who are not strapped to their seats, it can be thrown around the cabin. And passengers could sustain light or serious injury. Pilot always remind passenger continue fasten seatbelt even the Seat Belts sign is turn off.