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RV-10 Service Ceiling
I went flying this morning on a cold and beautiful day over Wichita. I headed Northwest and climbed to check the airplane's service ceiling. 40 minutes later I still wasn't quite to the ceiling, but I think I got pretty close.
Cutting to the chase: I flew to 23,000 feet and still had a bit more to go. I could have gone another 1,000 feet without trouble. And I achieved my personal best ground speed coming back: 255 knots. Details: On departure I climbed at about 115 kts doing 1,300 feet per minute. By 7,000, that rate declined to about 1,200 fpm. At 10,000 feet, I was climbing at 900 fpm at 115 KIAS. At 16,700 feet, I climbed at 500 fpm (slowing airspeed to 110 KIAS) At 19,400 feet, I saw 400 fpm (at 95 KIAS) At 23,000 feet, I was still doing about 200 fpm (95 KIAS) I had already asked for higher than my original flight plan (FL220) and the controller sounded like he had someone at 24,000 that would pose a conflict if I continued, so I ended my climb at FL230. When I turned around and began my descent, I benefited from the 77 knot tailwind at that altitude and I achieved my personal record 255 knot ground speed. Overall, it was an interesting flight. ![]() |
I wonder if the EFII system had an effect on the performance and being able to get up that high. I assume you were lightweight, but the highest we have been is almost FL220.
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Two big variables are weight (sounds like you were solo) and temperature (density altitude). You mentioned that it was cold.
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Light
Indeed I was solo. Outside air temp at FL230 was -24C (which is a bit warmer than standard, I think). I had about 40 gallons at altitude. Density altitude was not quite FL240.
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Excellent data, thanks. How did you obtain and post such a clear screenshot of the Dynon display?
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There is a keystroke to capture a screenshot from the screen itself. Very useful for this type of thing. I can't remember the keystroke, but it can be done.
Edit: Ensure a USB memory stick is inserted into one of the USB ports and press and hold the #2 and #7 keys. |
Interesting flight.
My typical load would be more than that by about 330lbs and at that I have found FL170 is about the limit of "practical" in terms of time to climb, efficiency of the flight etc. Most of the time FL150 is my maximum. |
I'll bet density altitude is routinely on the high side?
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Can you tell us what kind of hoops (FAA or others) you had to go that high? Any special training? Had to use a pressure O2 mask? Etc. thanks!
Pretty cool feat of daring!:) |
Just the obvious things, I think:
IFR rating and ifr clearance oxygen via mask (canulas limited to 18000') but no pressure mask needed. (you need a pressure mask when ambient pressure, 100% O2 is not enough. Since sea level O2 partial pressure is about 20% of one atmosphere, you have to go up to where the air pressure is 0.2 atmosphere - like FL400 or so - before you need a pressure mask.) |
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OX Mask?
Do you have a mask with a mic or do you just pull it away from your mouth to respond to ATC?
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At the end of my flyoff of Phase I, the way home from my first cross country trip I did the same. About the same numbers but I did not record them. 23000 feet was climbing at 150-200fpm. Cooling was the limiting factor in the climb.
IFR flight plan, O2 mask, and O2 pulse sensor. Only time I have been above 15k since. normal cruise is 11,500-12,499 to stay below O2 need. Pulled my mask to talk to ATC Fun experience though. Nice Chris |
Trivia question
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Just bear in mind that anything over 18,000 risks decompression sickness - "the bends".....
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https://www.avweb.com/news/aeromed/181939-1.html |
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As the article shows, the risk is greatest over 25k. However, I woudn't go scuba diving and then fly at 20k......
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