Why do planes fly at a high of 10 km or more above the ground?
Why do planes fly at a high of 10 km or more above the ground? The biggest reason for flying at higher altitudes lies in fuel efficiency. The thin air creates less drag on the aircraft, which means the plane can use less fuel in order to maintain speed. Less wind resistance, more power, less effort, so to speak.
Do planes prefer to fly over land?
Since it is preferable to crash land on solid ground, and ideally close to an airport where emergency services are accessible, most airlines prefer to fly over land. Most flights are intended to spend as little time as possible over water, since storms are more common over the ocean than on land.
What is the highest a plane can fly?
The maximum height that a commercial airplane is allowed to reach when they fly is 42,000 feet, as this is the universally approved maximum altitude. This max altitude for airplanes is known as the “service ceiling.” Most commercial air jets fly at such a high altitude because it is known to optimize efficiency.
How do pilots know if the plane is too heavy?
An overloaded aircraft may not be able to leave the ground, or if it does become airborne, it may exhibit unexpected and unusually poor flight characteristics. If not properly loaded, the initial indication of poor performance usually takes place during takeoff.
Do pilots watch TV while flying?
Use of visual entertainment such as movies, television programs, video games, etc., is not allowed for a flight crew as they are required to maintain visual scanning outside the aircraft, if able, for situational awareness and collision avoidance.
Why does everyone stand up when a plane lands?
People, that stand up right when the plane lands, why? Most of the passengers that stand up as soon as the plane arrives at the gate are in a hurry to get their stowed items from the overhead bins and deplane the aircraft.
Do pilots see anything at night?
If you ever gazed at the window during a night flight, you'll be welcomed by pitch black darkness. That's why most passengers wonder– how do pilots see at night? The answer is quite simple, no, they don't actually see anything at night.
Why do planes cruise at 30000 feet?
The reason planes cruise at high altitudes is that they burn less fuel and can fly faster, as the air is less dense. At 30,000 feet and higher, it is also possible for aircraft to avoid weather systems, making it more comfortable onboard.
What happens if a 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.
What keeps planes in the air?
Airplane wings are shaped to make air move faster over the top of the wing. When air moves faster, the pressure of the air decreases. So the pressure on the top of the wing is less than the pressure on the bottom of the wing. The difference in pressure creates a force on the wing that lifts the wing up into the air.
What happens if a plane lands too hard?
The term hard landing usually implies that the pilot still has total or partial control over the aircraft, as opposed to an uncontrolled descent into terrain (a crash). Hard landings can vary in their consequences, from mild passenger discomfort to vehicle damage, structural failure, injuries, and/or loss of life.
Why do planes avoid Pacific Ocean?
Most flights are intended to spend as little time as possible over water, since storms are more common over the ocean than on land. An aircraft would not be safe to fly over the Pacific Ocean due to the stormy weather and frequent lightning strikes that occur there.
Can flights stop in air?
Yes, an aircraft can stay in the air without going forward if the oncoming wind, called headwinds are equal or greater than th minimum speed of that aircraft. This principle is used in the wind tunnels to experiment the flight characteristics by blowing the wind to the aerofoil and assess the aerodynamic changes.
Why do planes not fly straight across the Atlantic?
A: The tracks across the Atlantic are determined daily to take into account the meteorological conditions of the moment. If there are strong winds, the eastbound tracks will be farther north to take advantage of them, while the westbound flights will be routed south to avoid the headwinds.
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.
Can a pilot open his window in flight?
On many aircraft types, pilots can open the side windows in the cockpit. The main reason for this is not for ventilation or vision; it is related to aircraft safety law.