What is one of the primary effects of turbulence on an aircraft?

Turbulence refers to irregular or unpredictable air movement that can have various effects on an aircraft during flight. One of the primary effects of turbulence is that it can lead to a loss of altitude. This occurs because turbulent air can cause a plane to experience sudden vertical motions. When an aircraft encounters turbulence, it may suddenly drop or rise due to the rapid changes in airflow around it.

In certain conditions, especially in severe turbulence, these updrafts and downdrafts can be strong enough that they may push the aircraft downwards, resulting in a loss of altitude. Pilots are trained to handle such situations, and aircraft are designed to endure these forces, but it’s an important aspect of flying that pilots need to monitor closely.

The other options do not accurately reflect the typical consequences of turbulence. For instance, turbulence does not inherently increase airspeed or improve lift; rather, it may momentarily disrupt the stability of both. Similarly, turbulence does not create a smoother flight; instead, it often causes a rougher and less predictable flight experience for passengers and crew.