The theoretical relationship between the effective radar back‐scattering cross section for regions of atmospheric turbulence and the mechanical energy of the turbulence is developed along the lines of existing theory. The cross‐section formula is developed in terms of two parameters, the mean gradient of refractive index fluctuations in turbulence, and the mean squared velocity fluctuations. Next, the response of a conventional aircraft, in terms of load factor, to vertical components of velocity is determined, and with the substitution of related parameters, an expression is obtained for turbulence scattering cross section in terms of mean‐squared load factors and refractive‐index gradient. The mean‐squared load factors and refractive‐index gradient are measurable from an aircraft. A method is thus obtained for verifying the theory of homogeneous turbulence and associated scattering theory by simultaneous measurement of radar cross‐section parameters from an aircraft in the turbulence and by a ground‐based radar set.