Why Do Airplanes Fly Way Above The Clouds?
If drones and helicopters can fly comfortably below the
clouds, why can’t airplanes do the same?
Airplanes are able to fly beneath the clouds, but it is not
optimal for them. A major factor driving an airplane’s 20,000 to 40,000 feet
cruising altitude is the fuel efficiency. At high altitudes, the air is
relatively thin, which is good news for the jet engine since it sucks in air to
combust the jet fuel; the lesser the density of air molecules, the slower the
fuel burns. The airplane encounters less air resistance high up in the sky,
which helps it go faster as well.
Flying at low altitudes over long distances is troublesome. To
prove my my point, let’s imagine an airplane that taking off from the JFK International
Airport in New, York toward the Changi Airport in Singapore. If this flight
cruises at 10,000 feet, it could bump into 50 Himalayan mountains that are over
23,000 feet tall. Moreover, in case of an emergency, flying at low altitudes
does not give the pilots the crucial extra minutes that could be needed to stabilize
the plane.
And then there are the nuisance at lower altitudes such as
rain, birds, and more atmospheric turbulence Why not fly smoothly high up in
the stratosphere, when aeronautics technology enables us to do so.
Put aside your fear of heights, buckle up your seat belts,
make sure your seat is in the upright position, and enjoy your next flight!
Reference
http://www.traveller.com.au/why-planes-fly-at-35000-feet-the-reason-for-high-altitude-flights-guxhc9
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