How High RV-12

[rgmwa]

Originally Posted by DonFromTX

Mine has made it up to 70 ft so far, hoping for better as time goes on.

Try putting a few more turns on the rubber band, Don.

[Mel]

Originally Posted by bigbill25

Is the LSA limit 10,000', or is that just a Sport Pilot limit?

That's a sport pilot limitation. Does not limit the airplane.

[Peterk]

Originally Posted by marksmithhfx

if you can get a 912iS into a 12 you might see numbers like this...

" the higher you go the advantage of the fuel injection will be seen. In talks with the engineering staff a Tecnam test aircraft was taken to higher than 18,000 ft and was still climbing better than 100 feet per min.....cant do that with the standard 912, no way."

Obviously you'll need some way to breath up there.

-- Mark

The 12 climbs better than any Tecnam. You're right though, the 12 probably would not reach 18,000. Just still curious if anyone has been higher than 14,500...that is not the limit...it still wants to climb at that altitude.

Pete

[kevinl4000]

Originally Posted by Geico266

I went to 12,500' and cut the engine to glide back down, engine out. The -12 makes a fair glider also!

What was your climb rate passing thru 12,000?

[marksmithhfx]

There is an interesting story in AvWeb this week (pre April 1) claiming a Pipistrel Virus SW with Rotax Turbo 914 went to 29,344 feet clearing the height of Mt. Everest but not overflying it directly. (However, this is not a stock aircraft as Pipistrel does not offer a Turbo 914 option for the SW).

http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news..._206438-1.html

-- Mark

[pietermk]

it is not an April fools joke, I have been following his progress around the world, it is amazing. http://www.worldgreenflight.com/

[johnny stick]

So if I build a dead stock RV12 as a LSA and certify it as a LSA, but I am flying it with a current PPL and 3rd class medical, can I fly higher than 10,000' MSL legally? Assume I have oxygen on board for more than 30 minutes of flight time.

[Mel]

See post #12.

The altitude limitation is a sport pilot limit, not an aircraft limit.

If you are a private pilot with a current medical, you can fly the RV-12 or any other light-sport aircraft higher than 10,000'.