Pirat

joined 2 days ago
[–] Pirat@lemmy.org 5 points 1 day ago

In answer to your question: yes. Humid cold pure air. By pure, I mean no contaminates until the hyrdrocarbons from the jet fuel are emitted into that pure, moist air. To form a droplet, a nucleus is needed. The hydrocarbons of the jet engine exhaust provide that nuclueus.

[–] Pirat@lemmy.org 4 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Well, it's impossible to ban natural clouds but planes could avoid making contrails by just not flying in the zone where their exhaust would cause them. Source: I was a weatherman in the Air Force and would tell military pilots where to fly to not have a shiny line pointing to their exact location if such information could be a concern.

[–] Pirat@lemmy.org 15 points 1 day ago

I never thought it about as a green house thing before though I do remember reading an article many years ago that contrails do contribute when they spread out into cirrostratus clouds.

I was a meteorologist in the Air Force and did make forecasts telling pilots at what levels to fly to avoid making contrails since having a long silver line pointing to your exact location makes sneak attacks a little difficult. Perhaps commercial airlines should make use of that information. It's usually just a few thousand foot difference. Fly a little higher or lower and problem solved.