Bonanza 36
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 15
Human-Machine Interface; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control
ATC Equipment / Nav Facility / Buildings; Human Factors; Weather
Aircraft X checked on ZJX frequency. I called the weather to the aircraft and asked if he had weather radar onboard. The pilot responded 'Roger'. I was not comfortable with that response. I asked the aircraft again if he had weather radar. I suggested a heading of 240 degrees based on the weather that was being depicted on my scope. I cleared the aircraft direct to his destination. The aircraft dropped 500 feet. The aircraft had been level at 8;000 feet. Over the next approximate two minutes the aircraft went from 7500 feet down to 6300 feet then back up to 7400 feet. After 7400 ft the aircraft did a continuous descent below 3000 feet. Once again all of this happened in approximately two minutes time. The aircraft recovered at the altitude of 2600 feet.We; as air traffic controllers; need more advanced equipment if we are expected to assist aircraft through weather.
ZJX Center Controller worked a small aircraft and issued a suggested heading around weather; but the aircraft experienced major downdrafts.