Doesn't this make flight unsafe? Wouldn't it be sufficient to be a couple of feet off the ground to get all the positive effects (=speed) of flight?
2007-02-14 07:13:03 · 9 answers · asked by Ejsenstejn 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Aircraft
I know about the fuel efficiency at high altitudes. Is that all there is to it?
2007-02-14 07:13:56 · update #1
Well ground effect is useful, but only if there's no obstacles in the way.
jet engines are more efficient the higher one flies (to a degree).
Also frankly it's a safety issue, big-sky small-airplane. It easier to maintain separation with horizontal AND vertical spacing.
Finally, it's the comfort thing, having been on the deck I can certainly say that there's MUCH less turbulence, (and corresponding wear on the aircraft and occupants) at high altitudes.
2007-02-14 09:24:44 · answer #1 · answered by jim 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't make flight unsafe at all. In the unlikely event of a total engine failure, the airplane can glide to a decent landing area, something that wouldn't be possible a few feet off the ground. Secondly, fuel efficiency gain is truly enormous at higher altitudes. Flying low burns tons of gas. Finally, other than thinner air allowing you to go faster, you can also take advantage of much faster tailwinds aloft. During the winter time the jetstream is frequently moving over 100 knots, making your flight shorter and again, saving fuel. They can also, conversely be headwinds, but in that case a different altitude with a lower wind speed is selected.
2007-02-14 09:34:25 · answer #2 · answered by ajvpb 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
weather and fuel savings are the big reasons for high altitude flight. Not to mention people don't like big machines flying 500mph just a few feet over thier heads.
BTW fuel efficiency is the 2nd largest expense an airline has so it is very important even if efficiency increases by a small amount and the differnece is big from sea level to 45,000 ft.
2007-02-14 10:20:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anthony M 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Being close to the ground requires less power to stay airborne, but only at slower speeds. The thicker air low increases drag on the airframe, making even more power necessary for maintaining speed. The thinner air up at flight levels allows for faster true airspeeds. The engines optimize between 15-20,000 feet, but the airlines fly higher for better efficiency (speed versus fuel burn) and to be above most of the weather (safety).
2007-02-14 10:20:07 · answer #4 · answered by lowflyer1 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Consider that when you are in an emergency the more time you have to deal with it the better off you will be. If you had an emergency at 500 miles an hour a couple of feet off the ground you would be dead before you knew there was a problem. At altitude you have several minutes to work to solve the problem or act on contingency plans to get back on the ground.
2007-02-14 11:42:17 · answer #5 · answered by Jerry L 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
'cause people get really po'd when a jet flies over at 100 feet ;-)
Seriously, there are three forces working on an aircraft.
Thrust moves it forward
Lift keeps it aloft
Drag slows it down
Air is much less dense the higher you go, and denser air causes more drag. Therefore the higher you fly, the less thrust is required, and less fuel is used.
2007-02-14 07:26:30 · answer #6 · answered by Charlie S 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
They have to fly high to avoid weather and there is less turbulance above the cloud cover. They also need to fly higher than a couple of feet o avoid people, cars, house, trees, and telephone poles.
2007-02-14 07:24:26 · answer #7 · answered by astronut 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It makes it safer because if you loose control you have a chance to recober if you are flying high. It allso improves fuel efficiency
2007-02-14 10:35:20 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Are you joking or just really stupid?
2007-02-14 09:32:11 · answer #9 · answered by 0000000000000000 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋