Mach Number Explained: What It Is and Why Pilots Use It
Pilot Institute
JULY 11, 2025
When you reach around 36,000 feet (11,000 m) near the tropopause, the temperature stabilizes at around -56.5 °C. The result is a region of separated, turbulent flow behind the shock. The tailplane (horizontal stabilizer) at high Mach can also develop shocks or experience disturbed airflow from the wings.
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