A Comparative Study of Pilot Reports and In Situ EDR Measurements of Aircraft Turbulence

Accurate characterization of aircraft turbulence is vital for aviation safety and efficiency. This study leverages 2021 data from nationwide Pilot Reports (PIREPs) and China Eastern Airlines’ in situ Eddy Dissipation Rate (EDR) measurements to systematically compare these two primary turbulence monitoring sources. We quantify their consistencies and discrepancies in capturing turbulence intensity and spatiotemporal patterns to assess their respective value and limitations. The findings indicate that while the diurnal and monthly variation trends of turbulence distributions are generally consistent between the two datasets, significant differences exist in intensity distribution, vertical profiles, and spatial patterns. By examining 242 turbulence events concurrently recorded by both China Eastern Airlines’ EDR and pilot reports, the study identifies a spatial discrepancy within 40 km and an average reporting delay of approximately two minutes in PIREPs, with the delay becoming more pronounced as turbulence intensity increases. Furthermore, pilot-reported “severe” turbulence corresponds to EDR values notably lower than the ICAO standard, revealing a systematic overestimation bias.