Title: Why Do Planes Fly So High?
Headings: Why Do Airplanes Need To Fly So High?
Why Do Airplanes Need To Fly So High?
Air resistance and fuel efficiency
Cruising altitude: a sweet spot
Avoidance of weather-related events like thunderstorms
Clearing obstacles
Miracle on the Hudson
Safety cushion
What about private jets and helicopters?
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Content: Crash of Pinnacle airline flight 3701 in 2004 (Photo Credit : Aeroprints/Wikimedia Commons)
Avoidance of weather-related events like thunderstorms
Another important reason why commercial airlines fly at 6.6 miles up is that, at that height, they get more ‘stable’ air and don’t usually have to worry about clouds or weather-related events (e.g., thunderstorms ). Although planes can still fly through clouds and storms, they experience a lot of turbulence when doing so. This can cause discomfort in the passengers and even create panic on the plane. Fortunately, pilots are trained to handle such situations and they are expected to report such occurrences to the air traffic control room for further aid and advisement. As an airline company, you don’t want turbulence; what you want is to give your passengers as smooth a flight as possible. Clearing obstacles
This one is sort of obvious. As a pilot, you don’t want to duck and dart through towers, buildings, and other ground structures while flying a plane. Regardless of how cool that may sound to some of you, it’s simply unsafe, not to mention impossible!