From: Ray®	09/11/2001 17:18:21
Subject: AVIATION FAQ	post id: 490476
What is an "air pocket" (Turbulence) ? From: Steve (Avatar) The plane is still in control during turbulence and is still flying. What is happening is that the air is constantly in motion and is moving in all directions. If you get a sudden change in direction or speed of the air outside (wind shear) the aircraft will be pushed by the air in the new direction. Downdrafts will push the plane down while updrafts will push it up. There is no such thing as an "air pocket". You cannot remove the air from below a plane so that it falls into a hole. Some turbulence can be very violent with the plane being pushed in different directions rapidly. The plane is still flying though and is still in control. Your seatbelt is there to keep you in your seat should this happen. Almost invariably, people who are injured on planes in turbulence did not have their seatbelts fastened.