Contrails on steroids. (Big pic)

[Dave Abrahamson]

Re: Contrails on steroids. (Big pic)

Originally posted by KaGee:<br /> Looks like a Photoshop job to me... <br /><br />And ya I'm a bit synical this morning

I wondered who'd be first. <br />I thought that at first but the more I look at the photo, the more it just looks like mega contrails (not that uncommon), taken from another aircraft at altitude. He's way up there...looks like quite an undercast below him.

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: Contrails on steroids. (Big pic)

That sure is a lot of tainted corpuscles!

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: Contrails on steroids. (Big pic)

Now that I think about it, dont contrails come from the wing tips and not the engines?<br /><br />Ken

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: Contrails on steroids. (Big pic)

They come from the hot exhaust.<br /><br />I followed your advice and spent two hours reading about them!

 

[QC]

Re: Contrails on steroids. (Big pic)

I don't know specifically, so I am really asking. I see what I call contrails coming off of wingtips and flaps etc. when landing or taking off. I thought they were caused by ice forming from water vapor in the air if the pressure drop on the lee side caused the surrounding air to drop below freezing? How messed up is that understanding?

 

[OBJ]

Re: Contrails on steroids. (Big pic)

WHOA!!! That is so COOL!

 

[Dave Abrahamson]

Re: Contrails on steroids. (Big pic)

QC, when you see the vapor trail off of the flap, wingtip, etc... you are seeing vortices. They ARE caused by low pressure forming, but usually when the wing is at a high angle of attack, like when the Blue Angels pull a high G maneuver, or when you are landing in a 757. The more moisture in the air the more pronounced.

 

[QC]

Re: Contrails on steroids. (Big pic)

Yeah, I call them vortices too, but I have heard them called contrails as well so they were probably just messed up. Also, thought vortex was wrong as you can have invisible vortices in water and air, no?<br /><br />Yes, high angle of attack, which is what led me to the pressure drop/low temp conclusion . . .

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: Contrails on steroids. (Big pic)

Contrails are condensation trails.<br /><br /> NOAA website with explanation

 

[QC]

Re: Contrails on steroids. (Big pic)

They are obviously visual pollution and should be banned!!!!

 

[Dave Abrahamson]

Re: Contrails on steroids. (Big pic)

Things sure can be invisible QC. Landing or taking off behind a large aircraft you get what is called "wake turbulence". Basically a tornado lying on its' side. It rolls off of the wingtips. They can flip a small airplane if you get caught in one unexpectedly. If you are landing behind a large airplane that is taking off for example, you always try to land at a point on the runway behind where he rotated to take off. That's when the vortices come rolling off the wing.

 

[Dave Abrahamson]

Re: Contrails on steroids. (Big pic)

Kinda like this;<br />