> > Currently, it is estimated that the earths cloud cover is 3% greater due
to con-trails from commercial jets.  This does have an effect on our
weather, and has been measured in decreased sunshine in areas with heavy air
traffic.
>
> I'm curious as to the facts behind this.

Google will assist.
I'm going to bed.
But some are quite sure on this. And some aren't.

Fine aerosols injected at high levels where they wouldn't get otherwise etc
etc ... yada yada ... argue argue.

QUICK guesstimate.
* Use your own figures here. *
1% of worlds population fly internationally once per year.
1 return flight each on average.
Say fuel capacity = 150,000 kg (Airbus A330 = 130,000l)
300 passengers /flight

6E9 /100 * 150,000 ~= E13 kg of fuel
E10 tonne.
Say 0.1% fly that's E9 tonne = 1 US billion tonnes.
Adjust assumptions as required.

Back to kg
Surface area of earth = ~ 2E14 m^2
At E13 kg that's ~100 ml/m^2 of combusted applied continually as a gaseous
byproduct day and night over the year.

E&OE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Enough to make a difference ?
I have no idea.
But I wouldn't be surprised if it was. Or wasn't.


        RM

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