Why do commercial planes not fly higher?


Why do commercial planes not fly higher? Much thinner air means that the engines cannot produce enough trust, and the wings would not produce sufficient lift. There could also be problems restarting a failed engine at a higher altitude in the event of a failure, as well as other safety implications of flying at higher altitudes for passengers and crew.


Why do commercial airlines not fly higher?

Because the higher you go, the thinner the air, going too high can make it tough to keep the plane in the air. Why? There will not be enough lift to do so. Above 25,000 feet or so, air pressure begins to drop.


How much do commercial pilots make?

The average commercial pilot salary ranges between $63,000 and $139,000 in the US. Commercial pilots' hourly rates in the US typically range between $30 and $66 an hour. Commercial pilots earn the highest salaries in California (128,074), New York (117,977), and New Jersey (117,895).


What flight path has the worst turbulence?

Routes with the Most Turbulence
  • New York to London.
  • Seoul to Dallas.
  • Flying into certain airports near the equator. There are certain airports which are located close to the equator which means frequent thunderstorms, especially in certain seasons. ...
  • Flying into Reno, Nevada. ...
  • London to South Africa.


Why are commercial planes flying so low?

Aircraft have to fly low in order to properly line up with the runways and execute safe landings. Aircraft may, however, appear to be lower than they actually are because their large sizes make them look closer.


Do planes fly over Mount Everest?

Why Mount Everest is a no-fly zone - The Hindu BusinessLine.


Is it safe to fly at 41000 feet?

The sweet spot for modern airliners is between 35,000 and 42,000 feet, where the plane's engines are most efficient. The way the wings are designed is also unsuitable for thin-air flight as they would not be able to create enough lift. Planes cannot just keep going up and up - at some point, it will stall.


Do military planes fly higher than commercial?

Most US military aircraft can exceed 50,000 feet, if they really really try. Again, the limits are classified. Most commercial jetliners cruise somewhere between 30,000 and 45,000 feet above mean sea level.


Why don t commercial planes fly at 45k feet?

The sweet spot of flying is regarded as between 35,000 and 42,000 feet (the airline industry still uses feet and inches as its standard measurements) – too high and the oxygen becomes too sparse to fuel the engines, too low and the air resistance is greater.


Is there a weight limit for pilots?

While there are BMI guidelines that are considered part of your general health, there is no specific minimum or maximum weight required to become a pilot.


Why don t we fly east to go from India to USA?

Because the Earth is a three-dimensional sphere and not merely a two-dimensional flat, East-West surface. Because of this spherical shape, often times the shortest distance is flying more north and south, up over the Northern latitudes and the North Pole, rather than flying east/west over the Pacific.


Do military planes fly higher than commercial planes?

Although private jets tend to cruise at an altitude of 41,000 feet, they have the capability of reaching heights of 45,000 feet. Altitudes higher than this tend to be reserved for military aircraft that comfortably reach an altitude of up to 51,000 feet.


What happens if a commercial plane flies too high?

Aerodynamic altitude: If a commercial airliner flies too high, it will encounter less dense air passing over the wings to create lift. This can cause the plane to stall and fall out of control. Depending on the weather conditions and aircraft weight, this can occur anywhere between 40,000 and 45,000 feet.


Can pilots see turbulence?

While pilots can't actually see turbulence, they often know what is coming up, thanks to reports from other planes, weather reports, and radar equipment. However, clear air turbulence (severe turbulence occurring in cloudless areas) can sometimes catch pilots off guard.


Do pilots fly above turbulence?

Sometimes it's unavoidable to fly through light and moderate turbulence, but rest assured your pilots are working to find smooth air. If they encounter severe or extreme turbulence not forecasted, pilots will quickly climb or descend to a safe and smooth altitude.”


What do pilots see when flying?

Whether flying at night or during the day, pilots need to see some kind of horizon. They use this to determine the airplane's attitude. At night pilots will turn their gaze from outside to inside and use the artificial horizon. The artificial horizon is normally a simply globe split into two hemispheres.