C680 From United States of America, joined Apr 2005, 531 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (7 years 5 months 2 weeks 4 days ago) and read 1102 times:
1) It has nothing to do with a jet engine. Look at all of the pictures of WWII radial prop bombers leaving contrails for an example. It is the rapid cooling of water vapor that produces the condensation trail or "Contrail."
2) Yes, a Lear 60 could produce one, given the correct atmospheric conditions. I've seen a King Air make them.
3) They can form at ground level on up - again, it all depends on the atmospheric conditions. It is a factor of temperature and humidity, not altitude. But, to give you the answer your looking for - mid 20's and higher.
SlamClick From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 10062 posts, RR: 71 Reply 5, posted (7 years 5 months 2 weeks 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 1045 times:
Quoting C680 (Reply 2): They can form at ground level on up
I read a long time ago that a Twin Otter operator way up in northern Canada would have that problem. Because it was so cold (Resolute Bay?) the first takeoff in the morning would lay an ice crystal contrail down the runway. After that everyone was making zero-zero intrument takeoffs.
We have two major kinds today, the "chemtrail" that goes from one horizon to the other and eventually begins to spread out into a cirrostratus layer. The other is maybe only half a mile long - forms and dissipates in a few seconds. A friend of mine calls these "comets."
When I was a kid I never recall seeing the second kind, only the ones that went from horizon to horizon. I think I know why. The planes that were laying down "vapor trails" back then were B-29, Boeing 307, Connies and the like. Their radial engine exhaust was really oily and smoky. So lots more particulate matter = lots more contrail. That is just my best guess.
In answer to #2 yes, just as readily as an Airbus. I see corporate jets pulling cons all the time up there.
Happiness is not seeing another trite Ste. Maarten photo all week long.
DLKAPA From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 6, posted (7 years 5 months 2 weeks 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 1039 times:
I've heard stories from my friends up at UND that on cold mornings when the piper warriors take off they leave contrails. Oh yeah and the contrails are actually chemicals created by the CIA to reduce brain function, make our physiology more susceptible to drugs, and keep Lindsay Lohan from gaining weight
IAH744 From United States of America, joined Dec 2005, 133 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (7 years 5 months 2 weeks 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 985 times:
Quoting DLKAPA (Reply 6): Oh yeah and the contrails are actually chemicals created by the CIA to reduce brain function, make our physiology more susceptible to drugs, and keep Lindsay Lohan from gaining weight
you never said that, you will deny any knowledge that that statement ever existed
[takes out metal stick thingy, clicks button, makes big flash, you forget everything you know, he says did you have a good time at the carnival, and you say elephants are bigger in person]
Jetmatt777 From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 2663 posts, RR: 36 Reply 8, posted (7 years 5 months 2 weeks 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 971 times:
Quoting C680 (Reply 2): 3) They can form at ground level on up
Yes, I agree 100% with that.
During my brothers football game I saw a CRJ-200 on base for OKC 's RWY 17L and it was at about 3,000 - 5,000 feet AGL(Above Ground Level). I didn't know they could form that low but now I do.
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