Why is it so cold at 35000 feet?

Air itself is constantly in motion; it will often rise toward the sky. But, any air that rises will expand and cool, as it encounters progressively lower atmospheric pressure (explained further in the next section). The upshot is that the air outside a plane will be much colder than at ground level.



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The reason planes cruise at high altitudes is that they burn less fuel and can fly faster, as the air is less dense. At 30,000 feet and higher, it is also possible for aircraft to avoid weather systems, making it more comfortable onboard.

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Planes have lower oxygen levels If this didn't happen, everyone inside the plane would die, as the low air pressure at the elevations planes fly (typically 35,000 feet or so) means there isn't enough oxygen present for your body to function.

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There are no specific regulations governing civil aircraft operations beyond the altitude of 60,000 feet. Nevertheless, certain exceptional aircraft like the Concorde and the Tupolev Tu-144 have managed to ascend to altitudes of FL600 (equivalent to 60,000 feet).

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“Jet fuel begins to gel in extreme conditions and does eventually freeze, typically at minus 40 or so, although additives can be included that reduce that further,” says Haines. “Aircraft at cruising altitude will often experience temperatures of minus 50 to minus 70 F for hours on end.”

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Airlines these days cruise at around 35,000 feet, some higher and some lower, but without protection at these altitudes a human being cannot survive.

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When a plane flies through a supercooled cloud the disturbance causes droplets to collect on the airplane, and since the water droplets are already supercooled they solidify into ice almost instantly. While flying through a large cloud of supercooled water droplets, an airplane can experience considerable ice buildup.

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This holds true up to 36,000 feet msl. So, while your standard temperature at msl is 15° C or 59° F, your standard temperature at 20,000 feet msl will be -24.6°C or -12.3°F.

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A: No commercial or business airplane flying today can exceed 100,000 feet. Special rocket-powered airplanes can fly over 100,000 feet to gather data, but they are specially designed for it.

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Can you fly at 80000 feet? The US Air Force U-2 reconnaissance aircraft flies at 72 000 feet almost every day for many hours. The world's fastest manned aircraft, the SR-71, flew for many years at 80 000 feet and higher.

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Special rocket-powered airplanes can fly over 100,000 feet to gather data, but they are specially designed for it. Q: Much beyond the certified ceiling, can an aircraft maintain altitude? A: During certification testing, airplanes are flown above the certified ceiling, but the performance is limited.

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