r/mildlyinteresting • u/Kenno-West_01 • 2d ago

I saw a vortex on my last flight

Post image
29.5k Upvotes

97% Upvoted

128 comments sorted by

9.3k

u/Dixiehusker 2d ago

You are very lucky. These always exist, usually off of the wingtips, but in order for you to see them the humidity and pressure have to be just right so that the drop in pressure in the vortex allows condensation but not in the surrounding air (otherwise it will just be foggy around the plane and you likely won't see anything).

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u/creamsofpeach 2d ago

Beautifully ELI5, bravo!

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u/mcnizzle99 2d ago

ELI4 please?

397

u/PlaneMark1737 2d ago

Wind wing poo

156

u/iMinstrels 2d ago

Still confused ELIMNOTBORN

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u/zekethelizard 2d ago

✈️☁️🌪️🤔🤨🤓

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u/PlaneMark1737 2d ago

Gurgle splosh

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u/Arkitakama 2d ago

ELI2.5 por favor?

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u/rcw00 2d ago

Plane owner painted arrows on wing to tell the wind which way to go and the wind followed directions.

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u/Lancaster61 2d ago

Goo goo gah gah goo goo gah goo gah gah goo gah goo.

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u/mcnizzle99 2d ago

God I don't even want to know what the ELI3 is

3

u/Joey_ZX10R 2d ago

Eh. I have 4 kids so this shit doesn’t phase me.

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u/SemenSkater 2d ago

The sudden change of the air pressure from normal to low pressure makes that air cold. That cold air can’t hold as much moisture so it gets foggy and we can see it.

Reread his comment with this information in mind and I think that should explain it for you.

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u/baby_monkey1 2d ago

This worked for me! Thanks!

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u/Aidanation5 2d ago

Username checks out

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u/ChickenNoodleSloop 2d ago

There's a small drop in pressure caused by the wind. This can make it foggy, but to see it it has to be barely not foggy outside already. 

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u/Grape-Snapple 1d ago

i’ll explain it like i understand it but only because i’m a little drunk and a little dumb: the conditions resulting from the temperature/pressure are at the perfect point for water to condense within the volume of the vortex, but not outside of it. the visualization of the vortex is what we’re looking at in the picture

2

u/victorzamora 1d ago

Wings create lift by generating vortices. You get vortices "shedding" (what you see here, basically following a pretty line) at a bunch of different points where funky aerodynamics things happen... usually where two different pieces of body come together..... like the engine cover and the wing, the wing and the fuselage, or the wingtip and the open air (this is the biggest and most important one, but irrelevant here).

These vortices are just little tornados of air, and air is normally invisible, so you can't see them....but those vortices create a change in pressure across their edges.

The magic happens when the humidity in the air is JUST right.... the pressure change across the Vortex line is enough to cause the humidity in the air to condense and become fog/mist.

Keep an eye open next time you fly.... if you're near the wing, you can see these pop up. You can also see vortices shedding behind the wing along the trailing edges of the flaps, and a few other places.

Here you can see a light plane's wingtip vortices on landing.

These are the clearest, and they show how tight those vortices are.... but the plane has smoke canisters on its wingtips.

The queen doing her thing and being gorgeous.

Finally, the Angel of Death is likely the most iconic. Another example of smoke being used to show the vortices behind the plane. The smoke given off by the flares is picked up and spun by those vortices.

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u/WhereAreMyDetonators 2d ago

You’ll understand when you’re older Timmy

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u/r0llingthund3r 2d ago

Now I'm sure that I was a relatively stupid 5 year old, but I think we've lost our way a bit with the standards of an ELI5 answer lol

24

u/EggsceIlent 2d ago

Also, Vortex generators are also a thing.

It's a tiny fin or series of them on aircraft.

On commercial general aviation aircraft, they're usually on the cowling of the engine (that's the smooth cover over it )

And where that vortex is is due to that vortex generator.

As another said, you see it just because the humidity/pressure was right because you're really just seeing the water in the air basically.

But yeah most planes have one or two fins on the engine about 1/3 to 1/2 of the way down. The person a few rows up from you would see it.

Always love watching lil baby tornadoes. The cool ones are the larger wingtip ones and especially the ones that form on the ground and run into the engine when it's wet/rainy out before takeoff

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u/djcrackpipe 2d ago

I’ve seen these before, and I’ve always wondered why they are generating vortices here.. do you know why or what purpose it serves?

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u/nil_defect_found 2d ago

I'm an Airline Pilot. We want nice smooth laminar airflow in physical contact with the wing's top surface for as long as possible, as when it detaches as per the diagram below, very basically lift is reduced. VGs delay that detachment until further back along the aerofoil.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/354549281/figure/fig1/AS:1067585202307077@1631543555348/Schematic-illustration-of-the-different-boundary-layer-flow-regions-on-the-suction-side.png

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u/trianglefor2 2d ago

Is it really that uncommon? I'm pretty sure I experience this every second flight that I take out of Nort Carolina to other States. Didn't know I was lucky.

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u/trust_me_on_that_one 2d ago

Wow save some vortex for the rest of us 

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u/trianglefor2 1d ago

I paid for the whole ticket, I'm going to use the whole ticket.

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u/WizardKagdan 2d ago

There's probably a massive correlation between geographic location and how often you get to see those - the conditions in NC might be just right that this is a common occurrence, whereas you might be very unlikely to see this in other climates or even other seasons.

... Also, the internet makes everything seem "common", nothing wrong with allowing people to stay excited about something that is rare and special to THEM. Sure, there's probably thousands of people who've seen this 20+ times, that doesn't mean that it's not a rare and special experience for someone who gets to fly once every couple years at most 😉

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u/trianglefor2 1d ago

Hahah sorry if my comment came across as a dick move, but yes, North Carolina is pretty humid and hot. Just didn't know that it was uncommon.

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u/-ragingpotato- 2d ago

To add, they're the effect of this wing on the side of the engine cowling. https://www.reddit.com/r/aviation/comments/p6o7lc/inside_a_boeing_737_what_are_theese_fins_for/?rdt=61556

They are there because the engines get in the way of the air going over the wing when the aircraft is maneuvering. Just like your hand blocking a stream of water, this makes a turbulent wake behind them that doesnt stick to the wing.

For what I understand the vortex helps contain and push away that turbulence so more of the wing gets clean, usable airflow that is better at producing lift, but thats getting beyond my paygrade of free. Vortexes are weird.

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u/ManBearSpiderPig 2d ago

Starting reading your comment, I was sure you meant he was lucky he didn't die lol

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u/wilof 2d ago

So it's not chemtrails

1

u/Salt_Complaint_3637 1h ago

in most flights, it will happen during takeoff, or just after takeoff, dependent upon the barometric pressure and the humidity. Additionally, they will also appear on descent, as the aircraft moves through the "ideal zone" for pressure & humidity.

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u/saousase 2d ago

Polite of them to follow the arrows.

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u/cluedo_fuckin_sucks 2d ago

British Vortex?

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u/jingbukukgilma 2d ago

British Airways

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u/PSUAth 2d ago

just forming an orderly queue

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u/cuntsmacking 2d ago

Do you need some BO' OH' O' WO' ER'

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u/n0rdic_k1ng 2d ago

So good at queueing up over there. Must be something in the air.

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u/x9qh 2d ago

I mean, what if it's going backwards? you can't be sure

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u/_YeAhx_ 2d ago

"air go that way"

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u/24-7_Gamer 2d ago

I was confused looking all around the picture and then I saw it and I was like :o

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u/madisonelia 2d ago

i don’t know how to see it :~(

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u/DragonCat_04 2d ago

Here

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u/kelsobjammin 2d ago

The video is way better lol

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u/rojoazulunodos 2d ago

i was positive i was about to get rick rolled lol nice surprise

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u/a-light-at-the-end 2d ago

Thank you for that.

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u/terax6669 2d ago edited 1d ago

Thanks, stupid bot stole the title but can't event post a video... smh

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u/98462Doopa 2d ago

“Stole the title” dude same person posted both of these, if you’re gonna be upset abt something make sure it happened first.

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u/harbourwall 2d ago

If everyone did that, three quarters of this website would shut down.

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u/undermark5 2d ago

I believe the two posts are from the same user...

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u/terax6669 1d ago

I stand corrected

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u/24-7_Gamer 2d ago

This sub doesn't allow videos, pretty sure they probably wouldn't have made it more complicated for themselves by having to find the best looking moment out of the video and screenshot it just to annoy you.

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u/cld1993 1d ago

Lolz same

223

u/docjohnson11 2d ago

Good thing they have signs for the jetstream, it tends to get confused sometimes.

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u/p90rushb 2d ago

It's like deer crossing but for vapor

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u/ForsakenSun6004 2d ago

I’m sorry to hear it’s your last flight 🥲

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u/Imaginary_Dingo9793 2d ago

Sent from the plane, didn’t land

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u/Cosmic-Herb 2d ago

it's gonna land in 2054, a youtuber will make a video about it

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u/baobao-er 2d ago

r/aviation would love this pic

5

u/ALitreOhCola 2d ago

Is this really that rare?

I flew into Brisbane prior to the Cyclone that hit and got videos and tons of photos of this happening on the plane in the exact same spot seen here on an A320 neo.

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u/FeelsLikeIt1137 2d ago

Lmao I thought this was r/aviation till I read your comment

2

u/Bruhbuhdubdub 2d ago

Just don’t show it to r/conspiracy

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u/CodeMonkeyPhoto 2d ago

When you have a chance to look after you disembark at the terminal, you will notice a fin on the engine right where that vortex was occurring. It's placed there to redirect the airflow up and over the wing, which helps keep lift. It effectively keeps the stall speed of the wing a few knots lower than if it was not there.

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u/Boner_pill_salesman 2d ago

That's windspren.

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u/Igotichies 2d ago

Journey Before Destination friend

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u/Boner_pill_salesman 2d ago

I will protect those who cannot protect themselves.

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u/SquishyBrat 1d ago

Unexpected stormlight archives.

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u/tomatobee613 2d ago

Calm down there, Donnie Darko!

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u/YeetusFajitas 2d ago

I feel like I see this everytime I fly 😳 didn’t know it’s rare lol

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u/TheMauveHerring 2d ago

Yea I've seen this at least a dozen times, not on most flights but had no idea it was rare. Will start taking pictures.

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u/Fauropitotto 2d ago

I think there's a trifecta:

  • vapor vortexes
  • supersonic shockwaves over the wing
  • seeing another jet at cruise altitude

2

u/TheMauveHerring 2d ago

Interesting. I've seen 3 sometimes, always found it interesting when cruising over the pacific but didn't think it was rare either, and definitely seen 1 more than 3. Never seen 2 but also don't know what to look for.

1

u/Fauropitotto 2d ago

This video shows it. I've recorded similar videos myself, but I don't upload material.

The human eye sees it clearly when you know what to look for.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HekbC6Pl4_Y

Here's another one over the cowl: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K08Gc0tKWoA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MB7PBAYnPAo

3

u/StockAL3Xj 2d ago

Same. I definitely don't see them every time but they definitely don't seem rare in my experience.

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u/PH3N1X 2d ago

Conspiracy folks- is that a chemtrail

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u/Dr-Lipschitz 2d ago

I think this is more than mildly interesting

5

u/Wise-Guide1197 2d ago

I used to load freight planes at fedex. You should see them when they are on powering up in heavy rain. A water vortex shoots out from the engine down to the ground in a big arc. 🌪️

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u/atorin3 2d ago

Good thing the vortex had arrows to tell it where to go, otherwise it may have formed in the wrong direction!

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u/FireMammoth 2d ago

Mildly interesting? Damn, i had no idea that this phenomenon existed. I wonder what would be my reaction if I saw this without the explanations

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u/Maleficent-Bug-2045 2d ago

I always love seeing that because you can really understand how a wing works.

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u/DarkStar140 2d ago

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u/re-re-Remix 2d ago

Thank you.  I was like "I bet it leads to a closet gun"

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u/guesswhatihate 2d ago

All around me are familiar faces

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u/bigbeard_ 2d ago

"There's something on the wing....Some, thing"

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u/Fooblat 2d ago

What in the whorl...

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u/mrgrassydassy 2d ago

That vortex looks like something straight out of a sci-fi movie! It's fascinating how nature can create such unusual and beautiful patterns when you least expect it. What a cool moment to capture on your flight!

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u/LeeKinanus 2d ago

Just under that is where the duck sits.

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u/almightywhacko 2d ago

For a minute I thought this was the slowest moving airplane in history...

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u/derekpeake2 1d ago

At least there wasn’t a gremlin

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u/rishabh111 2d ago

I'd send this to Adrian Newey to see if he can improve the aerodynamics of the plane!

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u/Awkward_Pangolin3254 2d ago

He's too busy dodging Horner's pleas to come back

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u/Sprinklypoo 2d ago

Those are cool! Typically in a humid environment when you're near the point of precipitation. It's fun to see physics in real life!

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u/Theperfectool 2d ago

ChEmtrAiLs!!

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u/hey_mish96 2d ago

My dumb ass thought this was a video...

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u/Age_Correct 2d ago

Gosh darn government chemtrails /s

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u/murtaza8888 2d ago

Don’t look at them directly plz , they tend to be on the shy side.

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u/WestEst101 2d ago

Lucky. The only ones I’ve ever encountered are polar

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u/Proud_Dance_3342 2d ago

That's pretty awesome to see.

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u/Eyrixxx 2d ago

Look at all that dihydrogen monoxide they are pumping into the atmosphere to control the sheeple! /s

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u/BlueFrozenSoul ​ 2d ago

Saw it a couple of flights back, but never knew it had a name.

Pretty cool

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u/InfamousheroX 2d ago

Benjiiiiii

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u/Head-Possibility-122 2d ago

nah mate i was having a wee

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u/teach4545 2d ago

Cool!!

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u/corvidcurio 2d ago

If you can climb out there without falling, you get isekai'd

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u/gmcarve 1d ago

Is it from the duck?

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u/kittykat8311 1d ago

Fun fact, these are usually invisible and are what the plan stays in the air

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u/Devnag07 1d ago

I saw this last week on takeoff out of Munich. Never seen it before and it was really cool!

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u/No-Reveal1658 1d ago

I have no idea what I’m looking at outside of the wing of a plane?

1

u/Warehammer 1d ago

R.I.P. 💀

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u/minemaster1337 22h ago

I was so confused cause of the giant lump

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u/ThaUniversal 2d ago

Vortex: a mass of fluid (such as a liquid) with a whirling or circular motion that tends to form a cavity or vacuum in the center of the circle and to draw toward this cavity or vacuum bodies subject to its action. especially : whirlpool, eddy.

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u/tankutkabza 2d ago

no, it's a chemtrail.🤣

-3

u/[deleted] 2d ago

Nah Bro. Them are CHEMTRAILS. You can tell where they're coming from, because the arrows point to the spot. *:) And you know it's true, because I said it on the internet.

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u/TuzyaAichaLadkaJawai 2d ago

https://imgur.com/a/3GOisjq

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u/Kenno-West_01 2d ago

Chill, its shot through a dirty window

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u/geekMD69 2d ago

Chemtrail.