What Happens If a Plane Flies Too High?

If a plane flies too high, it will eventually stall because its wings won't be able to generate enough lift in the thin air. The optimal altitude for modern airliners is typically between 35,000 and 42,000 feet due to engine efficiency.

Understanding Altitude and Aircraft Performance

Flying at high altitudes presents several challenges for aircraft. The air becomes thinner, meaning there are fewer air molecules. This affects both the engines and the wings.

• Engine Efficiency: Modern airliner engines operate most efficiently within a specific altitude range (35,000 - 42,000 feet).
• Lift Generation: A plane's wings are designed to generate lift based on the density of the air. As altitude increases and the air thins, it becomes harder for the wings to produce the necessary lift.

The Stall

The most critical consequence of flying too high is a stall.

• Definition of a Stall: A stall occurs when the airflow over the wing separates, drastically reducing lift and increasing drag.
• Cause: At high altitudes, the thinner air makes it harder for the wings to create sufficient lift. If the plane tries to maintain altitude in this thin air, it might need to increase its angle of attack (the angle between the wing and the oncoming airflow).
• Consequence: If the angle of attack becomes too steep in thin air, the airflow can no longer smoothly follow the wing's surface, leading to a stall. The plane will then lose altitude rapidly.

Why Not Just Design Wings for Thin Air?

While wings could be designed differently, there are trade-offs:

• Efficiency at Lower Altitudes: Wings optimized for very high altitudes and thin air would likely be less efficient at lower, denser air levels.
• Versatility: Airliners need to operate efficiently across a range of altitudes during takeoff, climb, cruise, and descent. A design optimized for extreme altitudes would compromise performance during other flight phases.

In Summary