Above the lowest part of our sky the troposphere lies the sweet spot wherein airplanes cruise: the lower stratosphere. There are a handful of factors why aviation scientists have designated this area as the best place to fly a plane — here are some of them:.
An airplane primarily flies at extreme heights due to air resistance. As mentioned above, drag opposes the thrust that propels the plane forward. Subsequently, the aircraft moves in a fast and efficient speed with less fuel burn.
Meaning, clouds and weather occurrences like thunderstorms are less common. Immediately the plane plummets downwards and crashes in 15 seconds. Almost all of the time, plane glitches are easily fixable.
This, combined with the thinner atmosphere at this height, creates less resistance. The direction of the wind is also an important factor. This also explains why you feel the plane slowing down during landing.
In most cases, these planes use a piston-powered engine, which operates similarly to the engine in your car and with power that only allows for shorter flights, according to the National Business Aviation Association. This type of engine prevents these smaller planes from reaching the same altitudes as commercial aircraft. Pilots also refrain from flying these types of planes at greater heights because of potential health risks like hypoxia, which is when tissues do not receive enough oxygen, according to the National Institutes of Health.
That lack of oxygen can occur at higher altitudes due to a decrease in oxygen pressure, according to the FAA. As the plane ascends, the level of oxygen decreases, which can cause rapid decompression for an aircraft that is not pressurized in the same way as a commercial airplane. And a stuffy nose can make the problem more severe.
Different remedies work best for different people, but some of the most effective include talking, swallowing, yawning, chewing gum, sucking on a hard candy, using an oxymetazoline nasal spray or wearing special earplugs made for this purpose. Passengers who contend with motion sickness while flying should avoid alcohol and greasy, fatty, salty, spicy or heavy meals in the 24 hours leading up to a flight and onboard the plane. When flying coach , request a seat at the front of the aircraft or at the base of the wings to minimize exposure to the motions that often trigger sickness.
Open the overhead air vents all the way and aim them right at your face. Self-medicating with the antihistamine dimenhydrinate is another option, but keep in mind that it can cause significant drowsiness. Why Do Feet Swell on Airplanes?
To put that in perspective, the peak of Mount Everest measures at 29, feet. The area is called the lower stratosphere, which is just above the troposphere, lowest part of the atmosphere, according to the UCAR Center for Science Education. Flying in this area has many benefits that make flying one of the leading ways for travelers to get from one place to another. The biggest reason for this altitude lies with 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. Spending less on fuel is also great for airlines, for obvious reasons.
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