Looking at an airplane (with white stripes behind it), I heard a bang (going through the sound wall). In the sky there was no longer any mention of the plane, nor of the white stripes behind the plane. Where is the plane? And where are the white stripes to, isn’t this proof that the plane flew there?
Answer
Hi Annika,
It is rare that an aircraft over land passes through the sound barrier. If this does happen, it is a military aircraft that makes an interception.
It is a small aircraft that flies at a relatively low altitude at great speed. No condensation line and it’s hard to get a sense of direction from a bang.
Added to this is the physics of the Mach cone or the cone formed by the sound waves. When you hear the bang on the ground, the device is not directly above you, but already very far away from you.
Superperson flying at cruising altitude (more than 10km) does not normally happen over Flanders.
Sincerely,
Answered by
Prof. dr. ing. Ivan Becuwe
Aviation & Aerospace
.