So, when the cabin is sealed, the interior pressure is equal to the atmospheric pressure at sea level. When the plane lands, the exterior pressure is equal to the interior pressure. So why does the plane need to be pressurised for the duration of the trip?
In: Engineering
At 30-50,000 feet cruising altitude (higher than Mt. Everest) the atmosphere is perilously thin.
This is great for the plane since it dramatically decreases wind resistance, but it’s not so great for the people inside who like to breathe.
Such low atmospheric pressures cause hyperventilation and possible loss of consciousness with prolonged exposure, especially if you’re from a low-altitude region and not acclimated to it.
The plane isn’t perfectly airtight (nor would you want it to be with 200 people breathing inside) so the cabin pressure needs to be continually vented and boosted.
At 30,000 feet there is very little air. It’s low pressure and would be very hard to breathe. Without pressurizing the air we would have to breathe very quickly in order to get enough oxygen and it would be extremely uncomfortable. Even with the pressurized cabins I get horrible ear and sinus pain. Without the pressure I’d be in agony.
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