What should a pilot do if they encounter turbulence during flight?

When a pilot encounters turbulence during flight, the recommended course of action involves slowing down and securing any loose cargo. This is important for several reasons:

Slowing down the aircraft helps to reduce the aerodynamic stress on the airframe, allowing for a safer and more controlled experience through turbulent air. Each aircraft has an 'operating maneuvering speed' (Va), which is the speed at which reducing control inputs will mitigate the risk of excessive load factor during turbulence. Flying at or below this speed ensures that the pilot can manage the aircraft's response more effectively during turbulent conditions.

Securing cargo is also crucial because loose items can become hazards, potentially injuring crew members or passengers and causing damage to the aircraft. By ensuring all cargo is appropriately stowed and secured, a pilot helps maintain safety onboard.

While adjusting altitude may sometimes help avoid turbulence if a suitable smoother air layer is found, simply ignoring it or increasing speed generally doesn’t address the safety and operational concerns effectively. In passenger transport, the comfort of those onboard is also a significant concern, making a controlled response of slowing down and securing cargo the safest option.