2006-10-03 23:45:30 · 12 answers · asked by september_serenade 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Aircraft
Less traffic and to avoid hitting birds. I think 36,000 feet is an ideal height for planes to cruise in comfort. Less turbulence and clouds, i guess.
2006-10-03 23:51:02 · answer #1 · answered by The Inquisitive 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The temperature of the atmosphere decreases 1.5 degrees celcius for each thousand feet. This is true up until reaching the tropopause. As such, the higher an airplane flies the colder the temperature. Efficiency of an internal combustion engine is directly proportional to the difference between the temperature of the hot sink and cold sink. The hot sink in this case is the combustion chamber, the cold sink is the incoming air.
Also, fuel is sequenced into the combustion chamber at a constant fuel to air mixture ratio. The thinner the air, the proportionally less fuel can be sent to the combustion chamber. Obviously, the air gets thinner and thinner the higher the altitude.
These two factors are why it is more efficient to cruise at higher altitudes.
2006-10-04 12:14:02 · answer #2 · answered by Kelley S 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The airplanes cruise at a range between 28,000 and 42,000 feet. This is due to the lighter air pressure. So planes can cruise at 500-600 miles per hour and not break apart because the air up there is to thin. Also, due to turbulance, weather, wind, and flying objects such as birds.
2006-10-04 07:25:35 · answer #3 · answered by thiscoolguy!! 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
That is the altitude assigned by Air Traffic Control. They file for a requested cruising altitude based on Weather (winds, Icing, thunderstorms or forcasted t storms forcasted turbulance, pilot reports,location of Jet stream etc.) Distance of flight, PERFORMANCE of the aircraft and such.
ATC is regulated as to seperation requirements so they assign a specific altitude often so you dont have a mid air!
2006-10-04 17:58:47 · answer #4 · answered by cherokeeflyer 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jet aircraft use fuel more efficiently at higher altitudes. Though there are other variables, most commerciat jets fly thirty to the low fourtys. Why not higher then? Pressurization and other safety factors become a problem at higher altitudes.
2006-10-04 07:04:35 · answer #5 · answered by John D 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Because through experience, the airline have determined that this is the optimal cruising altitude.
2006-10-04 06:47:10 · answer #6 · answered by WC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because the air is a little thiner so the plain can move easer and is better able to take advantage of the winds better so they can use less fule
2006-10-04 12:19:52 · answer #7 · answered by Coconuts 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
better winds aloft
better fuel efficency
increased recovory time to recover lost altitude due to a mishap or turbulance
2006-10-04 12:34:26 · answer #8 · answered by jimmyluger 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because there they have a huge sight without clouds.
Also they can be sure of not crushing into a mount!
2006-10-04 06:50:38 · answer #9 · answered by tanmax DM 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it has something to do with air pressure at that height affecting fuel efficiency.
2006-10-04 07:04:57 · answer #10 · answered by London Aussie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋