Severe turbulence typically results in what for the aircraft?

Severe turbulence can lead to a loss of positive control over the aircraft, impacting the pilots' ability to manage the flight effectively. In such conditions, the aircraft may experience sudden and intense vertical movements, which can disrupt the stability and handling of the plane. This loss of control can manifest in difficulty maintaining the desired flight path and ensuring a steady altitude, necessitating pilot intervention to regain control.

In contrast, stable flight characteristics would imply that the aircraft maintains a predictable and consistent flight pattern, which is not the case during severe turbulence. Minor changes in indicated airspeed typically occur in less turbulent conditions and are not a hallmark of severe turbulence, where significant fluctuations may be experienced instead. While erratic altitude changes can occur in severe turbulence, they are a result of the loss of control rather than a direct consequence in themselves. Therefore, the specific impact of severe turbulence is more accurately described as leading to a loss of positive control.