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Highest Flight Level?

Discussion in 'General Topics' started by TurdBird, Apr 30, 2012.

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  1. Skysurfer808 Well-Known Member

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    First post in the main forum from a long time lurker. Hello everyone.

    Impressive figures folks.

    14,500 in a 172
    FL250 in a BE200

    Nothing compared to some of these posts, but I spend most of my time at (Eurostyle) FL025.
    Skysurfer808, May 2, 2012
    #81
    staledog likes this.

  2. saxman Well-Known Member

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    Now thats impressive! You must have some super pilot students.
    saxman, May 3, 2012
    #82

  3. SpiraMirabilis Possible Subversive

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    400 in a CE525. I've also got a Caravan up to 250 which is in my opinion much more impressive.
    SpiraMirabilis, May 3, 2012
    #83
    AviatorGator likes this.

  4. SpiraMirabilis Possible Subversive

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    Are you a smoker? I think maybe your sickness was just coincidence. I go that high unpressurized every day. Also there were no lingering effects when I went to the FAA altitude chamber in OKC either (aside from my pride.) And it got up to I think 250.
    SpiraMirabilis, May 3, 2012
    #84

  5. SteveC Really?

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    Like many others here have said, the Lear 40/45 is a good high altitude performer. We usually fly at flight levels from 400 to 450. I've gone to FL470 a dozen times or so over the years when topping weather. The highest I've taken it is just shy of FL500 on a flight from the Pacific Northwest back to Michigan, using block level climbs at long range cruise speed.

    This is from today, typical flight (take-off to FL430 in 18 minutes, then another 2 minutes to complete accelerating to cruise speed):

    IMAG0540.jpg
    SteveC, May 3, 2012
    #85
    rausda27 and smack300 like this.

  6. ATN_Pilot Socialist Pig Member

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    I'm curious, what is your typical climb speed in that thing getting up to that altitude?
    ATN_Pilot, May 3, 2012
    #86

  7. MSUDAWG Well-Known Member

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    .90M is all we could do @ FL470 today....Does pretty well up there but FL490 is much more sluggish and FL510, well that's interesting
    MSUDAWG, May 3, 2012
    #87

  8. SteveC Really?

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    Varies a lot with temperature of course, but the profile that I typically fly is 250 to 10K, then 275 kts. (or faster) transitioning to 0.74 to 0.76. The book says to use 275/0.72 and claims that best rate is 250/0.72, but I like the way it climbs better at the higher speeds. If we get any level offs during the climb we are quickly at 300+ knots, and then it will transition back into the climb and will continue to hold speed while going uphill very quickly. It likes to go fast, and conversely if you get it too slow (<0.72) it can take a a while to get the AOA reduced, unload the drag, and get her moving again.
    SteveC, May 3, 2012
    #88

  9. ATN_Pilot Socialist Pig Member

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    Thanks.
    ATN_Pilot, May 3, 2012
    #89

  10. PA-44typed Well-Known Member

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    FL470 very often in the LR31, only way to get any range out ot that thing. Always make the copilot wear the mask;)
    PA-44typed, May 4, 2012
    #90

  11. Pilotforhire587 Lycra Man

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    FL290 in the mitts, FL250 in the Dash, and 12500 in a DA 40. Do you see my Shiney Jet Envy?:ooh:
    Pilotforhire587, May 4, 2012
    #91

  12. AVIATOR83 Well-Known Member

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    FL470 often. We do a trip to Hawaii once a year, so I am very interested to see what profile we do. Our ten has winglets and we've had a climb sfc to fl 430 in 18 minutes.
    AVIATOR83, May 4, 2012
    #92

  13. Fencer Experimentalist

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    Took my carbed homebuilt to 17,500' once on a flight test. Annoyed ATC a bit we got some busy intersections here. The thing was still moving up 50 fpm :D
    Fencer, May 4, 2012
    #93
    greg1016 and rframe like this.

  14. SeanD Well-Known Member

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    Found this. Very cool. 70k in the U2. It almost seemed like the pilot wanted the other guy to shut up and stop stealing the O2.

    SeanD, May 4, 2012
    #94

  15. Boris Badenov Sapping and Impurifying.

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    You should get some kind of medal just for that. I clawed my way to 250 a couple of times in the three bladers, and I think maybe 270 in a Marquise once just to see if I could do it. I'm pretty sure that one would have fallen out of the sky before it hit 290.
    Boris Badenov, May 4, 2012
    #95

  16. skydisaster Well-Known Member

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    FL430 in a Lear 35. My highest non pressurized was FL230 in a turbo Aztec on a mapping project.
    skydisaster, May 4, 2012
    #96

  17. Boris Badenov Sapping and Impurifying.

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    "the other guy"!!!??? That's CAPTAIN SLOW! You SALUTE when you say that name!

    Full story here:



    Also, you clearly haven't watched Top Gear. That's not quite a shooting offense (I'm not in charge...yet), but you should.
    Boris Badenov, May 4, 2012
    #97
    highspeed and scooter2525 like this.

  18. ChasenSFO Gooby pls!

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    FL075...in a Skyhawk haha. I rarely cruise above 055 or 065 since that gives me plenty of space between me and most mountians en route and doesn't take forever to get up to.
    ChasenSFO, May 5, 2012
    #98

  19. jafra98 Well-Known Member

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    FL 125, C-172 took almost forever to get thereo_O.............
    jafra98, May 6, 2012
    #99

  20. Bandit_Driver Gold Member

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    That video never gets old. The U2 and SR71 pilots had one hell of an office view...
    Bandit_Driver, May 6, 2012
    #100
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