Book 7, Question 23
Why Can Airplanes Fly Through Clouds?
A cloud looks like a solid pillow, but it is not solid at all. It is mostly air, with tiny droplets spaced far apart. So a plane can slip right through, like walking through a misty morning.
From the book
Page from A Million Whys Book 7
More fun facts
- For ice to form on an airplane, the air must be cold and there must be clouds or rain.
- Icing is often worst near the tops of clouds, where there is the most liquid water.
- Airplanes approved for flying in icing conditions must prove they can operate safely while ice builds up on them.
- Some airplanes have ice protection equipment but are still not approved to fly into icing.
- Pilots check the weather forecast for frost and freezing rain before they take off.
Questions kids ask
Can ice form on airplanes in clouds?
Yes. When clouds are colder than freezing, ice can build up on a plane, so pilots plan for it.
Where in a cloud is icing worst?
Often near the cloud tops, where there is the most liquid water.