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Do planes fly faster at lower altitudes?
The IAS indicator indicates a lower speed because the more you climb, the less air there is. So even the air flows faster, the global pressure feeling is lower. So, actually planes are not slower at higher altitudes.
Do planes require more power to fly at lower or higher altitude?
The biggest reason for this altitude lies with fuel efficiency. The thin air creates less drag on the aircraft, which means the plane can use less fuel in order to maintain speed. Less wind resistance, more power, less effort, so to speak.
Do smaller commercial planes fly faster?
Commercial jets cruise around 35,000 feet, smaller jets typically fly higher. That puts them above the traffic, so their routes are more direct — they don’t compete with bigger planes for space. The extra flexibility lets the jets capture better winds and avoid adverse weather, too.
Do planes go faster at higher altitude?
The higher the better One of the central reasons behind aircraft altitude is that, as the air gets thinner with every foot climbed, planes can travel more easily and therefore move faster and burn less fuel, saving money.
Is a private jet faster than a commercial jet?
Private jets often fly at the same speed as commercial jets, which on average, fly 547–575 mph when they reach cruising altitude. Smaller private jets and private aircraft, on the other hand, often have the capability of flying faster than commercial airplanes.
Why don’t planes fly higher?
It also isn’t the most efficient use of fuel to fly that high in the first place, he says, since planes can fly at a lower altitude with the assistance of wind. Another reason why planes don’t fly higher is due to the weight of the aircraft. “The more you weigh, the harder it is to get to a certain altitude,” says Jorgenson.
Why do planes use more fuel at high altitude?
The amount of power generated at high altitude is higher because the aircraft is flying at a much higher speed here than at low altitude (Power = Thrust x Speed). Generally, the cooler and less dense air at high altitude the less the fuel to air mixture in the combustor, thereby improving fuel efficiency.
Does larger fly higher than smaller?
When you think “larger flies higher than smaller,” you’re probably thinking airliners. But business jets like some of the Gulfstream models cruse at higher altitudes than any airliners. Even better and smaller (at least overall; seats one), the U-2/TR-1 will typically cruse at 70,000 feet and possibly higher.
What is the optimal altitude at which an aircraft flies?
It is essential to note that particular models of aircraft have various optimal altitudes in which they fly. For example, the Concorde was known at heights of between 50,000 and 60,000 feet, and a region where commercial planes regularly do not fly.