Troposphere. The lowest layer is known as the troposphere, which makes up approximately 75% of the total mass of the atmosphere and contains 99% of the atmosphere’s water. The troposphere extends up to approximately 11 kilometers (7 miles) from the surface and is the layer where atmospheric gases are most concentrated.

troposphere

The troposphere contains 75 percent of atmosphere’s mass- on an average day the weight of the molecules in the air is14. Water vapor plays a major role in regulating air temperature because it absorbs solar energy and thermal radiation from the planet’s surface.

Do pilots sleep in flight? The simple answer is yes, pilots do and are allowed to sleep during flight but there are strict rules controlling this practice. Pilots would only normally sleep on long haul flights, although sleep on short haul flights is permitted to avoid the effects of fatigue.

The troposphere is the lowest level of Earth’s atmosphere. This is because air is thicker at lower altitudes, requiring commercial jets to expend more energy to “push” themselves through the skies. In the troposphere, however, the air is thinner, thereby making commercial flights more fuel efficient.

Helicopters and light aircraft typically fly in the troposphere. Light aircrafts are unable to operate at higher altitudes because they lack pressurized cabins. Therefore, they stay within a range of about 10,000 feet.

Planes are usually flying in the stratosphere, which is the second major layer of the earth’s atmosphere.

Little moisture enters the stratosphere, so clouds are rare. This means that weather (in the form of clouds) is almost entirely confined to the troposphere below. That’s why airline pilots prefer to fly in the stratosphere.

around 42,000 feet

The polar regions have special navigation concerns in the form of the magnetic fields which permeate them. These can make it difficult for planes to navigate because the polar areas interfere with magnetic navigational tools.

about -54C

However, there presently are no civilian aircraft that can fly higher than 60,000 feet. The Concorde was certified to 60,000 feet, but typically flew at 45,000. And all Concorde aircraft have been decommissioned. Of course civilians can fly above 60,000 feet.

Airplanes often avoid air paths that take them over Mt Everest or the Pacific Ocean. This is because “the Himalayas have mountains higher than 20,000 feet, including Mt Everest standing at 29,035 feet. However, most commercial airplanes can fly at 30,000 feet.”

A year later, the Arming Pilots Against Terrorism Act was passed, allowing US pilots – working for US airlines – to carry guns in the cockpit. The first class of Federal Flight Deck Officers, as the gun-carrying pilots are known, graduated in April 2003. Classes have run ever since.

Accident statistics suggest that flying by night accounts for about 10% of the general aviation accidents, but 30% of the fatalities. That suggests night flying must be inherently more dangerous than aviating when the sun is up.

Due to lower resistance at higher altitudes, commercial airplanes can keep moving forward with minimal fuel expenditure. Commercial airplanes typically fly between 32,000 feet and 38,000 feet, with the sweet spot being approximately 35,000 feet, which is popularly referred to as cruising altitude.

The troposphere contains about 75% of all of the air in the atmosphere, and almost all of the water vapour (which forms clouds and rain). The decrease in temperature with height is a result of the decreasing pressure. If a parcel of air moves upwards it expands (because of the lower pressure).

Most light aircraft and turboprop aircraft fly within the troposphere and this is where most of the water vapour and therefore cloud formation exists.

Whether you are flying aboard a small Cessna or a jumbo-sized Airbus A380, you can breathe freely inside the cabin without wearing a mask or respirator. Even at a cruising altitude of 35,000 feet, you shouldn’t have trouble breathing.

Stratosphere

It extends from about 50 to 85 km (31 to 53 miles) above our planet. Temperature decreases with height throughout the mesosphere. Weather balloons and other aircraft cannot fly high enough to reach the mesosphere. Satellites orbit above the mesosphere and cannot directly measure traits of this layer.

At 35,000 feet, you should see air temperatures roughly of -55C, and as low as -72C under normal conditions.

If a passenger jet flies too high it reaches a point called ‘Coffin Corner’. This is the point at which the aircraft’s low speed stall and high-speed buffet meet and the plane can no longer maintain its altitude which forces it to descend.

Avoiding Traffic and Hazards Flying higher means planes can avoid birds (usually), drones, and light aircraft and helicopters, which fly at lower altitudes. Planes flying eastward (including northeast and southeast) will fly at odd altitudes (i.e. 35,000 feet) and all other directions will fly at even altitudes.

“Is it possible for a plane to accidentally fly into space?” No. Airplanes don’t work in space. They literally *need* air, and there’s no air in space.