Connect with us

NEWS

A message for the International Civil Aviation Day.

Published

on

As we mark International Civil Aviation Day, it is important to reinforce the fact that aviation remains the most reliable, effective, efficient, and safest mode of transportation in the world. Air turbulence may feel uncomfortable, but it is a normal part of flight, one for which aircraft are designed, and pilots are expertly trained. Air Turbulence remains one of the most misunderstood aspects of air travel. For many passengers, any sudden movement in flight can trigger anxiety. Yet, within the aviation industry, Air turbulence is well-studied, well-managed, and contrary to public perception, rarely a threat to the safety of an aircraft. What Causes Air Turbulence?Air turbulence is caused by rough air pockets encountered during a flight. Rough air pockets are derived from air with poor molecules. When an air pocket contains rich air molecules, the sky is clear and devoid of clouds. Clouds form when atmospheric conditions in a section of the sky collect or attract interference components in the form of moisture, mist, fog, smog, steam, dew, condensation, convection, haze, vapour, etc. The introduction of any or more of these elements into the atmosphere reduces the molecules in the air and creates visible air pockets known as clouds. Clouds, when formed by the earlier mentioned interference components, then have poor air molecules which, in turn, will not be strong enough to warrant the smooth flow of rich air over an aircraft’s airfoils (wings), thereby causing turbulence. When clouds form, they contour into different shapes and structures, giving them divergent patterns. Different clouds are named after their shapes and strengths, such as Stratus, Stratocumulus, Cumulonimbus, Nimbostratus, Altostratus, Altocumulus, Cirrus, Cirrostratus etc. A more troublesome source of air turbulence in flight is thunderstorms. Thunderstorm is a weather system that includes lightning, thunder, heavy rain, strong winds, and sometimes hail. It can form from large towering cumulonimbus clouds, and can also form rapidly over adiabatic temperature change rate in rising unstable air. There are four main types of thunderstorms; light, moderate, severe and extreme thunderstorms. Severe and extreme thunderstorms appear scary and worrisome, but aircraft do not fly through them. Pilots and air traffic controllers avoid them using Radar, Weather reports and Satellite data. There is also the Clear Air Turbulence (CAT) that can form at any altitude, high or low. CAT has no visible pattern. Therefore, pilots can run into CAT without adequate preparation or forewarning, causing sudden jolting turbulence in flight. But the industry has developed a mechanism known as PIREP which enables the first pilot to encounter CAT, to make a certain immediate pattern of report, letting other aircraft in the route or region to prepare for it. Aircraft design capability:Modern aircraft are structurally designed to handle very well all forms of possible air turbulence. Each aircraft model’s wing-structure, at design stage, underwent a bench-test usually stronger than anything such aircraft can ever encounter in real bad weather flight conditions before certification by FAA and or EASA for commercial production and use. This certification is a without-which such model will never fly in America or European airspace, and by extension, the world over. So, your aircraft may shake, dip, rock and rattle in flight, but will never fall off the sky due to air turbulence. In addition, pilots are trained to navigate air turbulence safely. How do passengers handle air turbulence? Realistically, the main danger passengers can encounter in air turbulence is the sudden jolts that can cause people to fall or hit their heads on cabin consoles.Another danger can result in movement within the cabin, which can move the center of gravity (CG) limit of the aircraft, depending on the size of aircraft and amount of movement. Such movements can affect pilots control input and judgment, causing the aircraft not to respond the way the pilot had mastered it. But all this can be completely avoided by simply ensuring you are seated with your seatbelt fastened. So, stay calm, keep your seatbelt fastened, the aircraft is built to withstand it, is the rule of thumb. So next time your flight encounters turbulence or rough patch of air, remember: It may be turbulent, but it is not dangerous. Captain Evarest Nnaji is both FAA (USA) and NCAA (Nigeria) licensed pilot, and the Group Chairman of OAS Helicopters, a leading conglomerate in Nigeria’s oil and gas aviation sector, as well as an astute businessman and philanthropist.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

NEWS

Governor Dauda Lawal Chairs Security Council Meeting, Vows Unprecedented Support for Frontline Troops

Published

on

By

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering resolve to back security forces in the ongoing campaign against insurgency, banditry and other violent crimes plaguing the state.Presiding over the weekly State Security Council meeting on Thursday, June 25, at the Government House in Gusau, the governor convened the state’s top security brass for a high-level strategic session aimed at recalibrating the state’s counter-insurgency approach.In a terse but firm statement, Governor Lawal disclosed that deliberations centered on reinforcing troop deployments in high-risk zones, fast-tracking intelligence-sharing mechanisms and overhauling rapid-response protocols to better safeguard civilian populations.”I want to make it clear to every service commander in this room; the welfare and operational readiness of our troops remain non-negotiable. My administration stands ready to authorize every required resource logistical, material and otherwise to ensure they operate at full capacity,” Lawal declared.The governor underscored that his foremost priority remains the restoration of lasting peace across Zamfara and he assured security chiefs of his open-door policy, urging them to channel operational needs directly to his office without bureaucratic bottlenecks.With the meeting concluding, sources indicate that concrete action plans are being finalized to boost joint task force patrols and community intelligence networks, signaling a renewed offensive push in the coming weeks.

Continue Reading

NEWS

Breaking Barriers, Building Legacies: Fiona Ahmed Ahimie Launches LEADHER Mentorship Session to Inspire the Next Generation of Female leaders

Published

on

By

Lagos, Nigeria – June 2026 – As part of activities leading up to her investiture as the 14th President of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) and the first female President in the Institute’s history, Dr. Fiona Ahmed Ahimie, Managing Director of First Securities Brokers Limited, hosted the inaugural LeadHER Mentorship Session on Thursday, June 18, 2026.The session, themed “Leading with Purpose, Breaking Barriers, Building Legacy,” brought together emerging female professionals and aspiring leaders from across various industries for an engaging afternoon of mentorship, learning, and empowerment.The LeadHER Mentorship Session was designed to provide participants with practical insights into leadership, career advancement, personal development, and navigating challenges in the traditionally male-dominated sectors. Through candid conversations and shared experiences, attendees gained valuable perspectives on building successful careers while creating lasting impact within their organizations and communities.Speaking at the event, Dr. Ahimie noted that leadership is not merely about achieving personal success but about creating pathways for others to thrive.”Throughout my professional journey, I have benefited from the guidance, support, and encouragement of remarkable mentors. The LeadHER Mentorship Session is an opportunity to pay that forward by equipping and inspiring the next generation of women to pursue excellence, embrace leadership opportunities, and break barriers with confidence,” she said.The mentorship session forms part of a broader commitment to advancing female participation and leadership within Nigeria’s financial services industry and the wider corporate ecosystem. It also reflects Dr. Ahimie’s longstanding dedication to talent development, professional excellence, and inclusive leadership.The event provided a platform for meaningful dialogue, networking, and knowledge sharing.Dr. Ahimie’s investiture as President of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers marks a historic milestone for the Institute and the Nigerian capital market, underscoring the growing role of women in shaping the future of the financial services industry.

Continue Reading

NEWS

Insecurity: Governor Dauda Lawal Commends Troops for Recovering Ammunitions, Rustled Cattle

Published

on

By

Zamfara State Executive Governor, Dr Dauda Lawal has commended the troops for their efforts and commitment to the fight against banditry in the state.On Saturday, the Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU) of the Zamfara Police Command successfully recovered 329 cattle and 175 sheep from bandits in the Gambanda forest in Gummi Local Government.Governor Lawal, while appreciating the troops, described the Zamfara State Police’s renewed efforts as encouraging and promising in the fight against banditry.He said, “I commend the effort of all the security operatives in Zamfara State, especially the Zamfara State Police Command, for its resilience, bravery and commitment in recovering 329 cattle, 175 sheep, weapons and ammunition from bandits.”The police engaged and overpowered the bandits in Gambanda forest in Gummi local government area, which led to the recovery.”This commendable action reflects their tireless work in the face of challenges posed by criminal elements and underscores the police’s role in protecting the livelihoods of the people of Zamfara State.”The remarkable display of bravery and the successful recovery of livestock and weapons highlight the strong leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Muhammad Bello. His guidance has been instrumental in improving public safety and combating banditry.”My administration remains committed to providing support to all security agencies in their efforts to ensure safety and security for our people.”

Continue Reading

Trending

Mega Awareness 2023