The big altitude drop?

Question

Whats that big drop called, as in the aircraft drops around 100feet or so during approach, like it feels like your on a rollercoster?

Answer 1

I had that once on approach into Spokane, WA coming from the East over the mountains. It was a mountain wave. I lost about 30 knots and dropped a few hundred feet within a few seconds and it did feel like I was on a roller coaster.

It happens when the air you are flying in moves vertically. In your case and mine the air was moving down and a very quick rate. You just hope it isnt happening when you are close to the runway.

It is called Windshear

Answer 2

Down draught caused by wind shear/air pocket/turbulence or any other unsettled weather phenomena.

Answer 3

Air pocket!

Answer 4

Descent !

Answer 5

Aircraft on approach often change altitude fairly quickly and frequently in brief spurts, based on instructions from air traffic controllers or in conformance with published approach routes.

Airplanes typically descend from one altitude to another at specific points during their approach.  The descents can be brisk when there is lots of traffic or during complex approaches.  They might be instructed to descend from 8000 feet to 6000, then shortly thereafter from 6000 to 4000, and so on.  When they are not descending they remain rigorously level at their assigned altitudes. During a descent, they may descend by 100 feet every six seconds or so, or sometimes faster, depending on circumstances.

When an aircraft starts descending, you'll naturally feel it as a descent.  However, when it levels off, it will typically feel as though you are going back up again, even though you aren't.  The effect is similar to that of an elevator going down, in which you might feel as though you are rising when the elevator comes to a stop.

The FAA is examining new types of approaches that would involve smoother descents, in order to improve traffic.  If those come into widespread use, the start-stop descents that are used today will become a lot less common. People who enjoy flying tend to like the intermittent descents used today, but frequent fliers find them to be nerve-wracking.

Answer 6

You often feel low level wind shear and/or turbulence on short final approach.  It feels like a 100-foot drop because you are nervous, but it is actually only 10-15 feet.

Just like in the old joke, it's not the drop that you feel; it's the sudden stop at the end.

Enjoy your flight.

Answer 7

Descent or landing.But it`s more than 100ft or so.

A few thousand feet would be more appropriate.

Aircraft usually fly at around 30,000ft.

Answer 8

Its called stall.LOL!!!!!!!!!

Answer 9

A 100 foot "drop" would be very drastic. The aircraft actually moves very little during turbulence, it feels like a lot more than it actually is.

There isn't really a different name for turbulence on approach. Often you will hear of low level windshear during days that you have bumpy rides on approach.

Answer 10

Wind Sheer ? Is that what you're talking about ?

Answer 11

It's called an airpocket, fairly common and nothing to worry about.

Of course, it doesn't always happen and it could be mistaken for flaps and landing gear being lowered.

All in all, perfectly normal and totally nothing at all to worry about! :)