Science: How to Ride the Jet Stream

Near the base of the stratosphere, 35,000 to 40,000 ft. above the earth, the jet stream offers free west-east transportation to airplanes that can find it and stay in it. It is a hard trick to do, but last week a B-47 bomber stayed in the jet stream most of the way from March Air Force Base, Calif, to Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., and made the 2,700-mile trip in 3 hr. 47 min. at the average ground speed of 714 m.p.h.—setting an unofficial record. Major Mont Smith, commander of the B-47, gave...

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