What should be avoided during turbulent air penetration?

During turbulent air penetration, it is crucial to maintain a smooth and steady flight profile. Large power changes should be avoided because they can lead to significant fluctuations in altitude and airspeed, which can complicate the pilot’s ability to maintain control of the aircraft. Rapid thrust adjustments can also increase stress on the airframe and make the ride less comfortable for passengers.

The use of autopilot is typically discouraged during turbulence as it may not respond appropriately to sudden air disturbances. Autopilot systems are designed to maintain a steady flight condition, and in turbulent conditions, the oscillations can confuse the system, leading to potential overcorrections or undesirable responses.

Additionally, making trim adjustments during turbulence can be problematic. Trim changes are based on the assumption that the aircraft is in stable flight. In turbulent conditions, the flight parameters are continuously changing, making it difficult to achieve the desired stability and potentially leading to an incorrect trim setting that could exacerbate control issues.

Therefore, to ensure the safety and comfort of the flight, all of these actions – making large power changes, using autopilot, and making trim adjustments – should be avoided during turbulent air penetration.