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Why Planes Don’t Fly Faster

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Why are planes slow?

Everything else is speeding up: smartphones, the Internet, the pace of life in general! So when are we going to get a superfast passenger jet that can cross continents in the time it takes to watch just one inflight movie versus several?

Speed has always interested engineers and pilots. At least at first, they were pretty good at getting these metal birds to fly faster and faster. As long ago as in 1945, a German test pilot reached a speed of 610 mph. But then, something happened and speed stopped growing. Any guesses why?

What role does air traffic control play in limiting the speed of planes?

For decades, humans have been obsessed with speed. From the ancient chariots and horses to automobiles and aircraft, we have always sought ways to get to our destinations quickly. However, despite advances in technology, commercial planes still do not fly any faster than they did 50 years ago. The speed of commercial aircraft is still limited to about 600-700 miles per hour. The question is, why can’t planes fly any faster?

To answer this question, we need to understand the factors that influence the speed of a plane. One of the most important factors is air resistance. As a plane moves through the air, it creates turbulence that resists its forward motion. The faster a plane goes, the more air resistance it generates, which requires more power to overcome. This means that as planes increase speed, they need more fuel to maintain their speed.

Another factor that affects the speed of a plane is the thickness of the air. At higher altitudes, the air becomes thinner, which makes it more difficult for planes to generate lift. As a result, planes need to fly at a slower speed to avoid stalling.

The weight of a plane can also affect its speed. A heavier plane requires more power to achieve lift-off and maintain speed, which increases the fuel consumption.

Another significant factor is sonic boom. As a plane approaches the speed of sound, it generates a shockwave that causes a loud noise known as a sonic boom. Sonic booms can be disturbing for people on the ground, and they can even cause damage to buildings in some cases. To reduce the impact of this noise, planes are not allowed to fly faster than the speed of sound over land.

Furthermore, there are environmental factors. Planes need to be designed to operate safely in various weather conditions. For example, icing conditions can affect the performance of a plane and make it more challenging to fly at high speeds.

Additionally, air traffic control plays a role in limiting the speed of planes. Commercial planes fly in designated air corridors, and they must adhere to strict rules and regulations to ensure smooth traffic flow. These restrictions mean that planes cannot always fly at their maximum speed.

In conclusion, there are several reasons why commercial planes cannot fly faster than they do. Air resistance, the thickness of the air, the weight of the plane, sonic booms, environmental factors, and air traffic control all play a part in limiting the speed of planes. While some advancements have been made in aircraft design, we may still be many years away from breaking the 700 miles-per-hour barrier for commercial flights. For now, passengers must continue to appreciate the comfort and safety of air travel at its current speed.