Chemtrails… Ah where do you start with this one?
Chemtrails are a well-documented and largely debunked conspiracy theory, wherein long-lasting trails left by aircraft are believed to be chemicals or biological agents used to stunt population, modify or create weather patterns (Geoengineering) or for other sinister purposes undisclosed to the general public. The conspiracytheory originated in the US in the early to mid-1990s and is generally the view of anti-government activists or folk that just aren’t that clever.
So what are the streaks of cloud that you see lingering behind jet aircraft? These are condensation trails (sometimes known as contrails or vapour trails) and are the result of water vapour in the exhaust of aircraft engines. I know what you’re saying, ‘but why do I see the cloud trailing from the edge of the wing?’ That’s because these trails can also be triggered by the changes in air pressure in wingtip vortices or in the air over the wing surface. To help explain this phenomenon, scientists liken it to seeing your breath on cold days. You may have noticed that puffs of breath dissipate quickly on dryer days. The same is true of contrails – when the atmosphere is more humid, the contrails linger, but when the atmosphere is dry, the contrails disappear more quickly.
Experts around the world explain that contrails, even long-lasting ones, are simply trails of condensation and are not harmful. However, conspiracy theorists have become suspicious that the contrails expelled from jets today are thicker and linger longer than they did in the past. Which, while they know primary trails are caused by condensation, has prompted thoughts that the government are now using contrails to disguise the spraying of chemicals and other biological media. Thus the term chemtrails.
This chemtrails conspiracy claims that the government somehow commandeers the wings of military, commercial and general aviation aircraft and retro-fit hoses, valves and chemical tanks. The on/off switch is then controlled by the pilot who is, of course, in on the conspiracy. Sworn to secrecy no doubt.
With my experience in the airlines, knowing and speaking to commercial pilots and training as a pilot myself, I can categorically say commercial aircraft and pilots are not being used to spray chemicals on an unsuspecting public and there is no chemtrails conspiracy in the aviation industry.
Whether you believe it or not, I’d like to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment below to join the conversation.