If you ever happen to get to the top of Mt. Everest, you will be at or near this airplane's cruising altitude or about 30,000 ft. At that height, the temperature is a bone chilling -30 degrees and there is so little oxygen that most can't breathe. Some, like the Sherpas who live in the Himalayas are genetically fitter to climb to high altitudes. Their blood is able to more efficiently use limited oxygen.
The air sometimes is very dry too. Like today, the exhaust coming from the four jet engines forms an icy condensation contrail which quickly fades away at the low dew point.
Airplanes fly this high to get maximum fuel efficiency and to stay away from bad weather which rarely reaches this high into the atmosphere. Plus, the jetstream, those currents of air that blow at these altitudes help move the plane along faster if it's traveling in the same direction Sometimes the jet can be blowing at 200 MPH.
This shot, taken on this spectacular morning high above Rochester is of what I guess is either a military C-5 or C-17. Both are four engine transports and both can carry equipment, supplies and troops. Maybe this transport, heading east into the sun, is bringing some military personnel to a place far away. If so, I hope they enjoy their flight and Godspeed!
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