Expert: Ned Dolan - 4/19/2004

Question
Hi Ned,

Does the speed of an aircraft eventually wear down the structure of a plane? Possibly breaking up in mid air? And can you tell me how fast does an airline travel in flight and when it lands?

Thanks, John

Answer
Hi John,

No, the speed of an aircraft does not wear down the structure of an aircraft. During the design of an aircraft the forces on it are well known and accounted for during the construction. Actually the speed of a commercial aircraft does not impose any special wear on the aluminum skin.

Normal cruising speed of commerical aircraft vary from 460 to 575 mph depending on aircraft type, altitude and temperature.

Landing speeds can vary from about 120 to 190 mph depending on aircraft type and weight, of course in general the bigger the aircraft is and the more it weighs the faster it lands.  Ned