Which statement best describes moderate chop?

Which statement best describes moderate chop?

• A. Slight, erratic changes in altitude and/or attitude
• B. Large, abrupt movements
• C. Rapid bumps and jolts without changes in altitude and attitude
• D. No movement; smooth flight

Answer: (C)

Moderate chop describes turbulence that you can clearly feel as noticeable bumps and jolts in the climb, descent, or pitch, but without large, sustained changes in the airplane’s altitude or attitude. In this level, the aircraft may bob or wobble and you’ll sense a stronger shake than light turbulence, yet the flight path stays largely within the normal range and the crew isn’t fighting to maintain control. It’s more intense than slight turbulence but not severe enough to cause significant attitude changes or loss of control; you can still complete the flight path without major deviations. The other descriptions either understate the motion, describe much more extreme movement, or imply no turbulence at all.

Moderate chop describes turbulence that you can clearly feel as noticeable bumps and jolts in the climb, descent, or pitch, but without large, sustained changes in the airplane’s altitude or attitude. In this level, the aircraft may bob or wobble and you’ll sense a stronger shake than light turbulence, yet the flight path stays largely within the normal range and the crew isn’t fighting to maintain control. It’s more intense than slight turbulence but not severe enough to cause significant attitude changes or loss of control; you can still complete the flight path without major deviations. The other descriptions either understate the motion, describe much more extreme movement, or imply no turbulence at all.