
What type of aircraft can produce corkscrew contrails?

Most if not all multi engine jets can, and although rare, I've seen it happen numerous times.
One such plane is the TU-154, and I have photographic evidence:
www.airliners.net...
Nice picture, eh?

I have noticed that there have been a number of corkscrew contrails flowing across the sky, indicating some sort of jet propulsion. Normal jet
engines do not produce that kind of pattern, at least in my experience.

Corkscrew contrails are fairly rare, but you do occasionally see them. They're probably created by airliners doing barrel rolls, I mean weird weather
effects, or maybe a cross wind blowing the wingtip vortexes of the wings INTO the contrail.
As for the loud rumblings, my guess is it may be an older turbojet style jetliner flying overhead. These are MUCH louder than the typical turbofan, I
should know, since 727's and 737's always fly above my head, and the 727 is MUCH louder, albeit rarer.
I also wish that people would stop bringing up the 'formation flying' thingy about contrails. It is common fact that aircraft can often fly the same
route as other planes, which can appear to be going back and forth.
www.airliners.net...
www.airliners.net...
www.airliners.net...
www.airliners.net...
www.airliners.net...
Photos from Airliners.net, thank you respective photographers.
Hope this helps.
[edit on 5-12-2006 by PisTonZOR]