The training aid, which includes an illustrated manual and a 26-minute video, is designed to give pilots and other aviation professionals heightened awareness of weather conditions that can cause turbulence, pointers on how to avoid it, and how to minimize risk in unavoidable encounters. The intended audience includes flight crews, flight attendants, dispatchers and aviation meteorologists.

"Serious turbulence incidents are rare, but they are still the leading cause of injury in non-fatal airborne accidents," said Capt. Dave Williams, chief pilot, Flight Standards and Safety for the Douglas Aircraft division of McDonnell Douglas.

"The new training aid is a big step toward avoiding turbulence and improving aviation safety," said Barry L. Valentine, acting FAA administrator. "While not all forms of turbulence are avoidable, injuries often are. Passengers must do their part by keeping their seat belts securely fastened at all times."

The FAA's "Turbulence Happens" safety campaign promotes the use of seat belts and child restraints aboard commercial aircraft to prevent turbulence-related injuries. The multimedia campaign consists of print, television and radio public service announcements. "Turbulence Happens" is supported by several organizations, including the ATA, Association of Flight Attendants, National SAFE KIDS Campaign and the National Safety Belt Coalition.

"Over half a billion people fly on U.S. air carriers each year, and very few of these passengers are affected by severe turbulence," said ATA President Carol Hallett. "But one turbulence-related injury is one too many. Hopefully this training program will decrease the number of injuries and help both airline employees and passengers to have a safe and comfortable flight."

The training video, "A Little Bumpy Air," emphasizes the need for clear communication between the dispatcher, the cockpit and the cabin during all phases of flight. History has shown that conditions in the cockpit do not always mirror conditions in the cabin; cabin attendants may need to request that "fasten seat belt" lights be turned on if conditions in the cabin warrant.

The program also hightlights the need for flight attendants to maintain a constant state of readiness for unexpected turbulence in aircraft cabins, urging passengers to keep their seat belts fastened even when the "fasten seat belt" signals are off.

The manual and video were developed by the Douglas Flight Operations department, working with the ATA Training, Cabin Operations and Meteorological Committees and the FAA. The FAA plans to distribute the "Turbulence Education and Training Aid" to all U.S. air carriers this summer. Airline training departments may use the aid as delivered, or tailor it to their own programs and training standards.