Highest Flight Level?

FL450, and i really have no desire to go higher

MikeD probably trunked a ride in an F-100 or something.....things must have been cooler to be a JO in the '50's

We got to 11,000 in Skyhawks on the way to FL from MI one time, but we were also at MGW. Had to clear those "mountains" in Tennessee after departing out of TYS. I've been to 10,500 in the practice area in a 172 because the student said he wanted to go above 10,000ft. No complaints from me!

Got to 11,500 in a B206B. Was never comfortable up that high in such a small bird. Also was at 12,600 over the top of the LAX Class B back in the 80s when the "TCA" was 12,500 because my partner didn't want to talk to anyone on the radio. I was sick for two days.

FL180 is the Pilatypus

Took a 172 to 10,500 once, a Seneca up to 11.5, and a 340 up to 15k

I've been to FL170 once, FL150 a lot. I've had a 172M to 15k. Cruised there all day.

OTOH, I've flown over 300nm under 500' a few times.

That's impossible in a 172 (inside joke)

I've even got a picture someone to prove it. Has the vsi climbing at like 500fpm still to.

FL410

You guys are all weak... highest I've ever "seen"

FL 600

50,800 in the Lear 45 on a maint repo leg from SoCal to TUS. Just the two of us, light and decent ISA temps. We were trying for fl510 (max service ceiling/marketing claim). It got close but just didn't want to accelerate, even in level flight. We file fl450/470 on most transcon'ish legs. Any thing over an hour, fl410/430 for sure.

9,500 in a PA28-140. Barely could keep 85 Knots haha

490 to top weather. Have not done 510 yet. No need.

Anyone else get nervous up there? Radiation? Decompression?

Yeah, we tried to do it the right way. Had a block from fl490-510. Already agreed upon low-speed mach number, well above stall, that we would either level or speed up by descending. Both wore our masks. Truthfully the 45 will get to fl470 or even fl490 on most long flights (if the temps are right) if you need to top Wx or lower fuel burns.

FL470 in a LR31a. Hope I never have to do it again. That mask is uncomfortable!

FL450 in CJ3 on very regular basis.

FL300 in the pilatus, 11,000 in a Skyhawk once over VA. I was still working survey at the time, got bored and wanted to see how high I could get it. Not bad for a '75 skyhawk with the wimpy 150hp engine.

This goes for me too.

However, I went across the U.S. at FL210 in a Caravan, that HAS to count for something.

FL510 in a Lear 45. Did it once, never again. There really is no real reason for going that high. We had a block from FL490-510 going East to West. We settled at 510 for a while, it accelerated fine and then we came back down after about 20 minutes up there. I took a picture of the fuel flow, it was sipping gas.