diddy1234
20th Mar 2010, 23:40
I was wondering if an aircraft had more chance of stalling at cruise speed if flying over the north pole at 39k feet ?
I am thinking in terms of air density, the atmosphere is thinner at the north and south pole compared to the equator.
So for example, an aircraft flying at the equator at 39k feet would have little chance of stalling at cruise speed but if it were at the same height over the north pole could it stall ?
Or another example, Concorde is flying at 60k feet and say it flew over the north pole, would it have to descend to a lower altitude to keep the same speed ?
How do pilot's compensate, fly at a lower altitude ?
I am thinking in terms of air density, the atmosphere is thinner at the north and south pole compared to the equator.
So for example, an aircraft flying at the equator at 39k feet would have little chance of stalling at cruise speed but if it were at the same height over the north pole could it stall ?
Or another example, Concorde is flying at 60k feet and say it flew over the north pole, would it have to descend to a lower altitude to keep the same speed ?
How do pilot's compensate, fly at a lower altitude ?