Over the course of less than six minutes, the plane descended 18,000 feet, ultimately moving from flying at 30,000 feet to a level closer to 10,000 feet.
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We soon leveled out, and I later learned that when you lose cabin pressure, you have to drop below 10,000 feet to prevent a loss of consciousness. Soon, the flight attendants walked casually down the aisle wearing their masks.
(NEXSTAR) – The crew of a recent American Airlines flight was forced to make an immediate controlled descent following a “possible pressurization issue” on Thursday, dropping the plane's altitude by nearly 20,000 feet in a span of minutes.
However, legally planes must be at least 1000 feet above any object on the ground, and must be able to land clear of any congested area in the event of an engine failure. Therefore small planes generally fly between 2000 and 10,000 feet. It all makes sense when you know the reasons for it!
Aircraft with fixed wings cannot stand still in the air, unless we are talking about VTOL (Vertical Take Off and Landing) aircraft. Lift is created by air flowing around the wing. Too little forward speed, and the wing will stall (loose lift).
The maximum height that a commercial airplane is allowed to reach when they fly is 42,000 feet, as this is the universally approved maximum altitude. This max altitude for airplanes is known as the “service ceiling.” Most commercial air jets fly at such a high altitude because it is known to optimize efficiency.
The most important thing to know is that turbulence isn't dangerous. It might be a bit uncomfortable, but your plane is built to handle the worst. Even in the most severe turbulence, your plane isn't moving nearly as much as you think! Much of how we experience turbulence is subjective.
Planes cruise at 40,000 feet because it is the optimal altitude for fuel efficiency. At this height, planes can take advantage of strong winds and jet streams to reduce drag and save fuel.
Flying is still the safest way to travel long-distance, according to the International Air Transport Association. Aircraft accidents and fatalities are less common than car, truck, motorcycle, train, and bus accidents.
“I have flown IFR in moderate to heavy rain many times and not experienced problems, but—there is always one of those isn't there—most often heavy rain is associated with moderate or greater turbulence, which is a problem. But the turbulence is caused by convective activity, not precipitation.
At times like this, pilots will slow to a designated “turbulence penetration speed” to ensure high-speed buffet protection (don't ask) and prevent damage to the airframe. We can also request higher or lower altitudes, or ask for a revised routing.
A series of Navy and Air Force programs in the 1950s and 1960s used pressure vessels or pressure suits to get balloonists higher, some to above 100,000 feet. Skydiver Nicholas Piantanida set an unofficial record—123,500 feet—in 1966, but a later attempt went awry when his helmet depressurized.
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.
Commonly known as the sterile cockpit rule, these regulations specifically prohibit crew member performance of non-essential duties or activities while the aircraft is involved in taxi, takeoff, landing, and all other flight operations conducted below 10,000 feet MSL, except cruise flight.