PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Contrail formation altitudes
View Single Post
Old 4th Sep 2001, 22:28
  #2 (permalink)  
chiglet
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Near Stalyvegas
Age: 78
Posts: 2,022
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Talking

Condensation/vapour traill are formed by the hot exhaust meeting the cold[er] atmosphere.
"Usually", they are formed between 26-37,000 feet. "Persistant" 'trails ARE of course of great interest to the Military, for obvious reasons. At low level, "pressure" trails or vortecies are formd in quite mild humidity, an a/c landing, or engine runs etc.
The "con trails" during the 'Battle of Britain' were in fact wing tip vortices, whereas the B17s were "true" contrails at only 22-25000 ft
we aim to please, it keeps the cleaners happy
chiglet is offline