cydoniaquest
Joined: 12 Aug 2000
Posts: 797
Location: nowhere |
 Thu Mar 15, 2001 3:24 am
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Notice that both these aircraft are in high angle of attack conditions. (Angle of attack means the angle of inclination of the mean aerodynamic chord of the wing relative to the relative wind.) High angles of attack can cause condensation in humid conditions because the low pressure area on the upper surface of the wing is at a greater extreme in those conditions. They are also on an approach to landing or climb-out which are usually conditions of high angle of attack, and the vortices from the deployed flaps and wingtips are not persistent. I also assume the humidity was very high judging by the greenery of the surrounding terrain (looks like Oregon or Washington). The condensation occurring in the low pressure area above the wing surface is due to extremely high humidity, and is only a temporary condition. It dissipates the second the air passes over the wing. Note also that these vortices should not be confused with “contrails” because they are composed of liquid moisture, not ice crystals.
[Edited 2 times, lastly by cydoniaquest on 03-14-2001] |
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