White mist over wing?

Question

We had just gone thru some clouds decending into Ft. Lauderdale it was hot and humid outside. so after we got out of the clouds i noticed a stream of what looked like a white mist coming right hext to the engine and over the wing so i would like to know what the mist is.

it was a boeing 737-500 if thats any help

Answer 1

I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU MEAN!

The single thin strip of white 'mist' that flows over the curve of the wing.  But I saw it in clear weather - there were no clouds about at the time! It was at takeoff.

I'm really interested to know that too.

I was in a Futura 737-800 I think.

Answer 2

Air moves around the aircraft and as it changes velocity it also changes pressure.  When the pressure changes the temperature changes.

What you saw was condensation in these areas of low pressure.  

If you go to the web and look for some pictures of military jets you'll see this.  There's a couple great shots of Navy planes near supersonic and the entire shock wave is visible.  If you've ever seen an F-16 pulling gs, you've seen the "ectoplasm" (as we called it) off the strakes.

Answer 3

What you seen were wing vortices. Wing vortices most often occur on larger aircraft when they are slow and "dirty" or flaps down spoilers actuated, and/or gear down. Wing vortices are white or misty in appearance.

Answer 4

If a plane is flying high up and pressurized and suddenly the plane looses pressure, the air in the plane will turn into a fog instantly.  I'm talking fog so thick you can't see anything.  The same thing happens when moist air goes over the wing which is a low pressure area.  It's usually only noticeable when passing through very moist air like in the tropics.  Notice the phenomenon in this video and notice how fast the cloud dissipates when the spoilers deploy after landing.

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http://www.flightlevel350.com/Aircraft_B...

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