Quote:
Originally Posted by euromodder
On the U-2 / TR-1 it's used to check for contrails.
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Wow, blows my mind when they could have used anything. Guess a good old mirror gets the job done.
I'd imagine there is fully developed system with an optic fiber tube exiting something smaller than a pilot tube (looking back), which then sends feed to a monitor working in a spectrum range extending outside the visual of white light for night time operations.
In addition there could be a senor plate sending signals to a computer which monitors condensation and other environmental data to predict when conditions are prime for contrail formation. This is sent to the pilot not as an idiot light on the dash, but is programed into the flight computer so the plane is smart enough to prevent said situation. However, it's just too complicated to maintain, and the gosh darn mirror keeps the whole project on budget.
I have a healthy imagination.
