What are the advantages of flying at high altitude above 10000 meters?

Answer 1

Wind resistance is significantly reduced allowing greater range on the same fuel load, or higher speed.

Answer 2

Above 10 000ft you mean???

Well mainly the reduced air density with the higher altitude. That affects the aircraft performance in two ways:
1) It means that due to the lower density, and hence lower resistance, the aircraft is able to move faster for the same thrust as compared to say 100ft.
2)Also the engines are a lot more fuel efficient with the decrease in density.
So if you combine those two facts, you will have a plane which goes faster and burns less fuel, so it makes very good sense.

Now if you did infact mean 10 000metres (33 000ft), well the same factors are to be taken in account although greatly amplified. So you will have even better fuel burn for a much faster speed. Also an extra benefit to this high altitude is that it is above the weather, so the plane gets a lot less disturbances due to clouds, rain and things like that. Yet another benefit is the stable high speed winds and jetstreams often found at these levels. They are a very important factor when choosing a cruising level. Some can give you a tailwind of over 200kt. That improves your ground speed, so you get to the destination early, having burnt less fuel and everyone is happy!!!
Hope that helps you.

Answer 3

You need to realize that you do need a jet in order to fly at those altitudes because propellers or pistons engines are not efficient at those altitudes. Also at those altitudes, when the jet stream is blowing in a directions that it will add to your ground speed there can be a big advantage but flying in it. These go along with what others have said about the thinner air and above the weather. Also less air traffic up there and it is safer because every plane at that altitude has filed an IFR flight plane and is being tracked on radar.

Answer 4

The atmosphere is thinner, which mean for any given Indicated Airspeed, you're True Airspeed becomes greater. Specific Fuel Consumption reduces as you climb (to a point), combined with the higher speed this yields higher range.

Other benefits include flying above weather/icing conditions, and lower cabin noise levels.

Answer 5

Dude, I'm aircraft maintenance technician.

First I think your question is about flying above 10,000 ft (you asked about 10,000 meters).

At this altitude the air density decreases, it causes the engines requires less air compression for combustion, a decrease in air compression will cause a decrease in fuel consumption. Besides, being far from terrain will cause winds to be more stable aiding fly leveling

Answer 6

Cooler air...the air is thinner...reduced fuel burn...sometimes the wind is very strong aloft...it can help..or hurt...yesterday coming home from miami I saw as much as 130 knots on the nose....which cost me 20 minutes at the end of the trip...hope this helps a little

Jonathan S
ATP-LRJET
Flight/Ground Instructor

Answer 7

Also with the ability to fly that high comes a greater possibility of finding a favorable tail wind....

Answer 8

decreased air density = less wind resistance =less fuel burn = lower operating cost and increased range. hope this helps

Answer 9

less air resistance, which means more speed and burning less fuel

Answer 10

don't have to run the plane's airconditioner - like you do on the ground in summer