Originally Posted by
safetypee
'Then it begs the question': not how, but should we be doing this.
I don't get this post.
The fact that some is avoidable is a different topic. Severe turbulence supplementary procedure is not an invitation to be less carefull about thunderstorms. It does however not eliminate the issue (ie CAT).
Engineers have agreed in these cases the "SOP" and standard trained procedures do not provide the safest tactic/approach. It is determined it requires a different operating procedure. Regulations have outlined requirements and manufacturers adhere to these regulations and outline a procedure crews have to follow.
The whole purpose of the supplementary procedure is to avoid everybody "inventing" their own stuff and ideas. Which is exactly why it is not wrong for a pilot to explain that in case of turbulence the idea is not to reduce speed with increasing turbulence, it is correct to explain it is a single speed connected to what is supposed to be a trained procedure.
The only question that remains here is the question of turbulence intensity which everyone agrees it is hard to quantify. However it does not change the "right of existence" of the procedure. It is a legal requirement to protect the aircraft.