Cumulus clouds are the most common cloud types that are produced by cold fronts. They often grow into cumulonimbus clouds, which produce thunderstorms.

Cumulonimbus clouds

Cumulus Congestus & Cumulonimbus Clouds Cumulonimbus clouds, sometimes called “thunderheads,” are associated with thunderstorms, lightning and intense, heavy rains as well as hail.

Cumulonimbus clouds are thunderstorm clouds. The result is a cloud tower with bulging upper portions (that look something like cauliflower). If you see a cumulonimbus, you can be sure there’s a nearby threat of severe weather, including bursts of rainfall, hail, and possibly even tornadoes.

MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) – When flying high in the sky, sometimes the plane will shake. This shaking is caused by turbulence. Thermal turbulence can occur; this is created by hot rising air from cumulus clouds or thunderstorms. Mechanical turbulence is caused by our landscape, mountains or tall buildings.

Jet aircraft can safely fly over thunderstorms only if their flight altitude is well above the turbulent cloud tops. If a busy jet route becomes blocked by intense thunderstorms, traffic will reroute into the neighboring airspace, which can become overcrowded if the flow is not managed (see animation).

What Happens If a Helicopter Flies Too High? As the helicopter ascends, the air begins to thin. With thinner air, the main rotor becomes less efficient. When the blades can no longer generate enough lift to keep ascending, the helicopter reaches its maximum operating envelope (the coffin corner).

Most commercial aircraft are approved to fly at a maximum of around 42,000 feet. This maximum is also known as a ‘service ceiling.

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.”

Typical takeoff air speeds for jetliners are in the range of 240–285 km/h (130–154 kn; 149–177 mph). Light aircraft, such as a Cessna 150, take off at around 100 km/h (54 kn; 62 mph).

Pilots say rotate because it is a verbal queue that an airplane has reached its predetermined rotation speed (frequently abbreviated to Vr). This is the speed at which control inputs can be applied to lift the nose off the runway and make the airplane fly away.

At 35,000 feet the air temperature is about -54C.

Cruise speed Generally, gasoline piston engines are most efficient between idle speed and 25% short of full throttle. The typical cruising airspeed for a long-distance commercial passenger aircraft is approximately 880–926 km/h (475–500 kn; 547–575 mph).

An average commercial jet accelerates to between 120 and 140 knots prior to liftoff. To do this in 30 to 35 seconds requires a good sustained acceleration. This is something that pilots look for during a takeoff roll.