AboutColin Woehrle Expertise Answer questions regarding FARs, VFR and IFR flight operations, the national
airspace system (NAS), communications with ATC, physiology, etc. I answer sincere questions
for aviation enthusiasts and flight students. If I can`t answer your question, I`ll try
my best to point you in the right direction.
(I do not answer questions asking how much it costs to fly from one place to another).
Experience Pilot for a leading west-coast regional airline. Ratings and certificates include: Flight Instructor (CFI, CFII), Commercial Pilot, Instrument, Single Engine Land/Multi-engine Land Airplane
Question Would it ever be possible for a commercial jet airliner to be able to fly off into space if the pilot kept flying the aircraft in a continual ascent? Other than the lack of air/oxygen for ensuring the engines stayed alight, what else prevents this from happening?
Answer Hi Graham,
This would not be possible due to the lack of air density at such high altitudes. Without adequate air density, the engines cannot provide sufficient thrust. Without sufficient thrust to propel the airliner through the air fast enough for the wings to produce enough lift the aircraft will reach it's absolute altitude (the altitude at which it's not possible to climb any higher) or stall.
To simplify, the air molecules are more spread out at higher altitudes and therefore the aircraft needs to travel faster through the air to produce lift. If the engines can only produce so much thrust at a given altitude due to lack of air density, then the aircraft true airspeed is limited as well and that will determine its maximum altitude.
Hope this makes sense. Thanks for the question Graham!
