Do normal planes leave white smoke?

Most airplanes leave behind a white smoke trail, though some may leave behind a black smoke trail. Black smoke trails aren't caused by condensation in exhaust gases. Instead, they are caused by an incomplete combustion processes. Just like cars and trucks use combustion to produce power, so do airplanes.



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The hot and humid air produced by the airplane's engine mixes with the cool and dry air outside of the airplane, resulting in the formation of contrails. In other words, contrails are condensation in the sky that manifest as white smoke.

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While fuel dumps don't happen every day, they're also not uncommon. Nor do they usually represent a major emergency. In fact if an aircraft is taking the time to dump fuel before landing, that's likely an indication that the issue forcing the plane to land is serious but not critical.

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If an engine doesn't burn all the fuel that's fed to it, the excess fuel will be released through the airplane's exhaust system, which manifests as a black smoke trail behind the airplane. Black smoke trails such as this were more common during the 20th century.

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Not all aircraft produce contrails – they are estimated to occur in about 18% of flights. The air needs to be cool enough for the water to freeze, which is why they usually only appear above certain altitudes – typically 20,000ft (6km) Even fewer flights produce the most persistent contrails.

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Every airline handles their own de-icing, including purchasing, storing, and applying de-icing and anti-icing fluids to their planes. De-icing solution is a mixture of propylene glycol and water, heated to around 150 degrees, and sprayed under pressure to the wings of an aircraft.

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While No Smoking signs are certainly there as a constant reminder that smoking is not allowed on board, the signs are also because of convenience and cost. Airlines, like other private businesses, must reinforce federal laws with signage, such as No Smoking signs (via mydoorsign.com).

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The simple answer is yes, pilots do, and are allowed to sleep during flight but there are strict rules controlling this practice. Pilots would only normally sleep on long haul flights, although sleep on short haul flights is permitted to avoid the effects of fatigue.

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The maximum landing weight (MLW) is the maximum aircraft gross weight due to design or operational limitations at which an aircraft is permitted to land. The MLW is set in order to ensure safe landings; if an aircraft weighs too heavy during touchdown, it may suffer structural damage or even break apart upon landing.

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Jet Fuel. The distinct smell inside commercial airplanes is often attributed to jet fuel. During flight, commercial airplanes burn a mixture of jet fuel and oxygen in their engines to produce propulsion. When jet fuel burns, it creates odorous vapors that may enter the cabin.

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