No, what is commonly confused with “white smoke” behind some airplanes in flight is not a sign of danger or concern.
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Introduction
What is sometimes observed are condensation trails, also known as water vapor trails or contrails. Condensation trails are a completely normal phenomenon and do not indicate any type of technical problem or danger. It is also important to note that the aircraft are designed and operated under strict safety standards, and contrails do not pose any safety threat. Contrails are a byproduct of the combustion of aircraft turbines or engines and constitute an interesting but completely harmless atmospheric phenomenon. Contrails are not smoke in the conventional sense, as they are not composed of carbon particles or unburned combustion products.
Where these trails come from?
Aircraft turbines burn fuel during flight, producing carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O) and other combustion compounds. These gases exit at high temperatures and as they mix with the cold, humid air at high altitudes, a drastic change in temperature occurs that causes the water vapor contained in the exhaust gases to condense rapidly, producing small particles of water that immediately, due to the low temperatures, they freeze. The formed ice particles clump together and create visible condensation trails. These contrails can remain for some time, depending on atmospheric conditions. If conditions are favorable, they take longer to disappear.
Why aren't Trails visible on some flights?
The visibility of contrails is highly dependent on atmospheric conditions and the specific characteristics of the aircraft and its operation. In this sense, we list below some reasons why contrails may not be visible on some flights:
Relative air humidity: Contrails on airplanes form mainly due to water vapor released by the aircraft's turbines, but ambient humidity also influences the visibility and specific characteristics of these contrails. In areas with low relative humidity, there may be less water vapor available to condense, resulting in weaker and even invisible contrails.
Atmospheric temperature and flight altitude: Contrails are more likely to form at higher altitudes, where temperatures are lower.
Type of engine and fuel: The specific characteristics of aircraft engines and the type of fuel used can influence the quantity and temperature of the exhaust gases and, consequently, whether or not contrails form.
Atmospheric conditions: Factors such as thermal inversions, stable layers of the atmosphere or changes in atmospheric pressure can affect the visibility of contrails
Aircraft design: The aerodynamic design of the aircraft, including the shape and position of the wings, also influences the formation and visibility of contrails.
Engine operation: In some cases, airplanes can be operated in a way that minimizes the emission of exhaust gases, which will affect the formation of contrails. This could occur, for example, during the descent phase.
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