The Plane Facts
Posted by Catherine Nicklin on March 31, 2003
Q: I am currently doing my maths coursework for my AS levels, however before i answer a question, I have to find out what type of aeroplane could fly in the arctic circle and what speed it could travel at. please could you help? thankyou sooooooo much
A: Your question has produced more questions for me than answers. Your question seems more appropriate for a physics instructor than a naturalist but I have read recently about a commercial jet that travels from New York to Hong Kong, flying directly over the pole(within the arctic circle).
The Boeing 777 does fly over the North Pole as the shortest route between these two cities but must heat its fuel to prevent freezing at the extreme temperatures of the pole region. Commercial jets fly about 560 miles per hour (900 kph) although this does vary, depending on various conditions
John Wiessinger ( April 2, 2003)