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Expert: - 7/21/2009


Question
how can and airplane go though a cloud and come out dry?
due to a cloud holding water.

Answer
There are some types of clouds through which an aircraft flies through and is doesn't come out dry. However, during the times that it does, the cloud may be comprised of ice crystals if the temperature aloft is freezing or below. This is why the aircraft does not get 'rained' on or wet when passing through it. In temperatures aloft where it is above freezing, water droplets may condense out (from the venturi effect of lift or the temperature of the a/c skin vs the cloud mass) and cling to the plane. In that case water could adhere to the airframe like the moisture on your bathroom mirror when you have a shower but not enough for you to really notice the plane getting wet unless you happen to see small droplets of water rolling back on the windows.  

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D. Norkus

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I can address questions about airline pilot employment & entry level airline careers in the United States, women pilots, flight training, pilot certification, U.S. flight scholarships (mostly for women), aviation & airline safety topics, aviation accident investigation and airline operations. ***Please note, I cannot address flight training & career queries from outside the United States, or aero engineering degree programs/careers, aviation management topics. ****

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Airline captain with 15 years past experience in airline ground operations. I have previously flown as a commercial skydive pilot & ferry pilot and majored in Aviation Science


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International Organization of Women Pilots- The Ninety-Nines, charter member of Women In Aviation International, Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association, Air Line Pilots Association.

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Embry Riddle Aeronautical University; Aviation Safety/Accident investigation.

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