Why do planes have a height limit?

Planes going higher than the maximum height given to the aircraft means that less oxygen can be supplied to the engine. This means the engines could fail, and not be able to restart. In October 2004, a Bombardier CRJ-200 plane attempted to climb to 41,000 feet, the maximum it could travel.

Why is there a limit to how high a plane can fly?

If the aircraft maximum altitude is determined by thrust, the absolute ceiling will take very long to reach. At high altitudes air breathing engines will get difficulties eventually. Due to the lower air density the mass flow through the engine is reduced up to a point where it causes a flame out.

Why planes can't fly too high?

The air at high altitude is very thin (less dense). It gets so thin that at a certain altitude not enough air can pass through the engine for it produce enough thrust to keep the aircraft climbing.

Do airplanes have a height limit?

The highest certified altitude of an airliner was Concorde's 60,000 feet. Today some of the corporate jets can fly at 51,000 feet. Q: What is the highest cruising altitude allowed? A: Most airliners are limited to 45,000 feet or less.

What happens if a plane goes too high?

According to the Smithsonian National Air And Space Museum, the plane would run into difficulty because the air becomes thinner the higher you go in the atmosphere. They said: "If a plane flies higher than the altitude it was designed to fly it, it will be difficult to create enough lift to keep the plane up.

That's Why Airplanes Have to Fly So High

Why do planes not fly over the Pacific?

Flying over the Pacific Ocean is avoided by most airlines for most flights because it usually doesn't make sense to fly over it when shorter and safer routes exist. The Pacific Ocean is also more remote and less safe than the Indian and Atlantic Oceans to fly over, resulting in a higher chance of a plane crashing.

Can you break a plane window?

Even though it is considered a rare case, it has happened multiple times during commercial airline history. Breaking a window in an airplane is something that might seams not dangerous to many, but in reality, it is.

Can airplanes fly over Mount Everest?

Tim Morgan, a commercial pilot writing for Quora says aircraft can fly above 40,000 feet, and hence it is possible to fly over Mount Everest which stands at 29,031.69 feet. However, typical flight routes do not travel above Mount Everest as the mountains create unforgiving weather.

Can a 5 feet girl become a pilot?

No, you will not be eligible to become an Airline Pilot with 5 ft height. One needs to have all three License i.e Student Pilot License (SPL),Private Pilot License (PPL),Commercial Pilot License (CPL) in order to become a pilot.

What is the highest a plane has ever flown?

It doesn't seem fair. On July 17, 1962, American test pilot Robert White took the X-15 to an altitude of 314,688 feet. But it's Russian pilot Alexandr Fedotov who holds the world altitude record, set on August 31, 1977, when his MiG E-266M reached a mere 123,523 feet.

Do pilots have fear of heights?

Pilots with a fear of heights aren't uncommon and in fact, the majority of people who are afraid of heights aren't affected by flying in an aircraft. There is a strong feeling of security when you close the door, and you should feel very comfortable in the hands of an experienced instructor.

Can planes get hit by lightning?

Planes all over the world get struck by lightning almost daily. According to the US National Weather Service, an aircraft in commercial service is hit by a bolt of lightning on average once or twice per year. However, the frequency by which a specific aircraft will get hit depends on several factors.

Can a plane go to space?

Planes can and have flown into space for over 50 years – though not the kind you see at the airport. That's because conventional planes need air for both propulsion and lift, and space is essentially a vacuum.

Can you breathe at 35000 feet?

Whether you are flying aboard a small Cessna or a jumbo-sized Airbus A380, you can breathe freely inside the cabin without wearing a mask or respirator. Even at a cruising altitude of 35,000 feet, you shouldn't have trouble breathing.

How do airplanes stay in the air without falling?

A plane's engines are designed to move it forward at high speed. That makes air flow rapidly over the wings, which throw the air down toward the ground, generating an upward force called lift that overcomes the plane's weight and holds it in the sky.

Is there oxygen at 35000 feet?

Natural availability of oxygen at 35,000 feet

In other words, there's ample air at 35,000 feet, and there is sufficient oxygen in it. In fact, there's even a reasonable amount of air at the altitude where the International Space Station operates!

How much do pilots earn?

According to The Occupational Outlook Handbook, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the salary for commercial pilots is $93,300 per year, which was the the median annual wage in May 2020. The median annual wage for airline pilots, copilots and flight engineers is $160,970.

Why are short people not allowed in the military?

The military only accepts candidates who fall into a specific height range. This is primarily because the military doesn't have the time or money to order custom-made uniforms and equipment for those who fall outside of the standard ranges.

Who is the shortest pilot?

Keough was the smallest pilot in the whole of the Royal Air Force, hence the nickname, and was just 4 ft 10 in (147 cm) tall. He had to use two cushions in his Spitfire to see out of the cockpit. On 8 August 1940 Keough was posted to No. 609 Squadron RAF at Middle Wallop airfield.

Why do planes not fly over Antarctica?

No, planes don't fly over Antarctica because it is too remote and ETOPS regulation requires that aircraft are within a certain distance of a diversion airport at all times in case there are engine problems. As there are no diversion airports in Antarctica, routes must stay closer to other continents.

Why do flights to Japan go over Alaska?

Commercial airlines typically fly a Northern curved route that goes over Canada and Alaska. Therefore, they spend less time over the Pacific Ocean, allowing for emergency landings if needed.

Why don't they fly over the North Pole?

The polar regions have special navigation concerns in the form of the magnetic fields which permeate them. These can make it difficult for planes to navigate because the polar areas interfere with magnetic navigational tools.

Why are lights turned off during landing?

Airlines are today required to turn off plane lights during takeoff and landing. The reason this is done is because of the time it takes for our eyes to adjust to the dark. It can take our eyes between 10 to 30 minutes to adjust to darkness.

Are airplane windows bulletproof?

Since the windows are essentially made from plexiglass, they aren't bulletproof. However, they rarely fail. And even if they do, modern airliners such as the Boeing 737 used to operate Flight 1380 can survive and land after most depressurization events. Sign up for notifications from Insider!