2007-01-21 06:24:21 · 9 answers · asked by maurice l 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Aircraft
Yes, there is a way. It only works, though, if you know the actual flight path and your distance from it...
Several of your answerers have come up with the trig. methods which can be used, but if you know the actual point on the ground directly under the flight path (obviously this will work only on regular flight paths, unless you are a navigator-in which case you wouldn't need to ask your question)
You can triangulate by measuring off from that point, using a marked stick and using the old boy scout 12 to 1 principle to guage how high it is.
In practice the 'stick' would have to be pretty long, so a 'chain' method would be more practical, though, to be honest, a theodolite would probably be easier to use amd more accurate. (alternatively why not get a short wave radio and you can listen to the broadcasts from the plane itself and they will give you their instrument readings as they approach any airfield.)
Hope that helps and good luck with your math.
BobSpain
2007-01-21 19:27:04 · answer #1 · answered by BobSpain 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Small plane have air cooled engines simply by fact they are lighter and much less complicated then water cooled engines. there is although a diesel engine this is accessible that does have water cooling. undecided why that's water cooled different then its makes for greater helpful engine temperature administration. the main engine cooling required is at low altitudes and extreme ability placing while commencing and mountaineering to altitude so the chilly of extreme altitudes isn't obtainable for cooling.
2016-12-12 16:50:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Use the Pythagoras theorum.
Don't laugh. Get a protractor and attach a plum bob. Select a fixed point -say a tree- then move a hundred feet away. Aim your protractor at the aircract when it is overhead your tree and read the angle the plum bob is showing. You now have all the angles of a triangle and the length of one side....third form maths!
2007-01-21 13:35:23 · answer #3 · answered by CaptainRowdy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you know the average length of an aircraft then take a ruler and hold it a set distance from your eye and measure the observed length. Now using trig you can easily find the length of the triangle sides. I don't think it would be very accurate.
2007-01-21 06:29:12 · answer #4 · answered by Barkley Hound 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
generally the bigger the thumb the higher it is. Other than that there is not a reliable way to judge height without equipment.
2007-01-21 08:46:18 · answer #5 · answered by mark t 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
only at LOW altitude (less than 2000') after that ,the scale of the size is lost with nothing to compare it to.
2007-01-21 08:31:25 · answer #6 · answered by cherokeeflyer 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you can read the registration letters it's too d***** low!
2007-01-21 21:19:49 · answer #7 · answered by The original Peter G 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i don't think it is possible, many pilots have crashed due to that.
2007-01-21 13:23:53 · answer #8 · answered by JR501 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋