• UGI USER
  • May 26, 2024
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“NAVIGATING TURBULENCE: INSIGHTS INTO AVIATION SAFETY”

Syllabus:

  • GS-3- Aviation safety , Transportation modes and concern of Human lives

Focus :

The article delves into the turbulence incident experienced by Singapore Airlines flight SQ321, elucidating the causes and effects of turbulence in aviation. It explores the legal ramifications of passenger injuries and examines the technological advancements used in flight planning to mitigate turbulence risks. Additionally, it discusses the broader impact of climate change on aviation safety.

Source - ICAO

Flight Details:

  • Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 from London’s Heathrow Airport to Singapore.
  • Encountered severe turbulence over the Andaman Sea/Bay of Bengal.
  • Carried 211 passengers and 18 crew members.
  • Turbulence Impact:
    • One passenger fatality and several injuries.
    • Crew diverted the Boeing 777-312ER to Bangkok, Thailand.
  • Investigation:
    • The S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is assisting due to the aircraft being a Boeing jet.

Understanding Turbulence

  • Definition and Causes:
    • Turbulence results from the relative movement of disturbed air through which an aircraft is flying.
    • It can be thermal or mechanical and occurs within or clear of clouds.
  • Types of Turbulence:
    • Clear Air Turbulence (CAT): Occurs around jet streams and does not show up on weather radar.
    • Turbulence within cumulonimbus clouds: Caused by strong upward and downward air currents.
  • Expert Insights:
    • Turbulence is due to friction between airflows or winds in different directions.
    • Involves changes in the movement of air causing lift changes, leading to sudden aircraft movements.
    • Increase in severe clear air turbulence due to climate change.
About ICAO:

1.  Established in 1944: The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations, created through the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention) in 1944.

2.  Mission: ICAO’s primary objective is to promote the safe, orderly, and sustainable development of international civil aviation throughout the world.

3.  Standards and Regulations: ICAO sets global standards and regulations for aviation safety, security, efficiency, and environmental protection.

4.  Headquarters: Montreal, Canada,

5.  Key Functions: ICAO facilitates cooperation and coordination among its member states, provides assistance and support for aviation development projects, conducts audits and assessments of member states’ aviation systems, and fosters research and innovation in aviation technology and practices.

Passenger Injuries and Potential Litigation

  • Nature of Injuries:
    • Injuries from passengers not wearing seat belts, falling objects, and cabin damage.
    • Hot beverage spills causing burns.
  • Legal Implications:
    • Aviation attorneys work with experts to prove turbulence claims.
    • Analysis of weather data, flight route, and airline procedures is crucial.
    • Reference case: Magan vs Lufthansa German Airlines under the Montreal Convention.

Role of Technology in Flight Planning

  • Flight Planning Process:
    • Dispatchers and pilots use meteorological guidance for route planning.
    • Extreme weather events and climate change impact flight safety.
  • Technological Advancements:
    • Use of numerical weather prediction models and AI to forecast turbulence.
    • The Weather Company’s high-resolution atmospheric forecasting model.
    • Machine learning algorithms analyze historical weather data to predict turbulence.
  • Collaborative Platforms:
    • Over 20 airlines participate in the International Air Transport Association’s ‘Turbulence Aware Platform’.

Broader Implications of Climate Change

  • Climate Impact on Turbulence:
    • Increase in severe clear air turbulence since 1979.
    • Future projections indicate a doubling or trebling of turbulence incidents if climate change continues.
  • Meteorological Observations:
    • Jet stream variations due to warming affect turbulence patterns.
    • Major weather events are occurring more frequently.

Source:The Hindu

Associated article:

https://universalinstitutions.com/why-is-dgca-firm-on-new-rest-rules-for-pilots/

Mains Practice Question :

 GS-3

“Discuss the recent turbulence incident involving Singapore Airlines flight SQ321, highlighting the causes and effects of turbulence in aviation, the potential for litigation arising from passenger injuries, and the role of technology in flight planning. How does climate change impact aviation safety?.” (250 words)