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04-24-2010, 10:08 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Hubbard Oregon
Posts: 9,035
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ironflight
My default minimum altitude for cross-countries is 8,000' - a great efficiency point for the engine and airframe. If the flight is any distance at all, I'll shoot for 10K at least. With those two numbers in mind, my goal is to have a smooth, cool ride with the best ground speed and highest mpg I can get. Gee, do I want too much? So many variables, as others have stated - but balancing them all is half the fun!
For local flying here on the Texas Gulf Coast, I usually plan on 4,000' to get above the bumps - and to a good Acro altitude. And then some days I just feel like doing a "moonshot - up to 15 or 16 thousand and back down. No reason - just a nice view and cool air!
Paul
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Yup!
My altitude selection pretty much matches Paul's.
__________________
Opinions, information and comments are my own unless stated otherwise. They do not necessarily represent the direction/opinions of my employer.
Scott McDaniels
Van's Aircraft Engineering Prototype Shop Manager
Hubbard, Oregon
RV-6A (aka "Junkyard Special ")
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04-25-2010, 01:01 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Elmendorf,TX
Posts: 358
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Where the winds are ride are the best
I do a 154 NM "commute" two to three times a week(leave in the morning, fly home in the afternoon). Typical morning winds are from the west (tailwind) and the higher the better. My 7 climbs so easy, I typically shoot for 7500-11500 going to work, depending on winds/weather.
Coming home, almost always a head wind. If it's really bad, I stay low to save time (and suffer the bumpy ride). If it's less than 10 knots headwind component, I climb to where ever is comfortable, usually 6500 to 10500.
Just my two cents. The RV's perform really well at most reasonable altitudes.
As for autopilot, sure, it's a luxury, but it's one I really, really enjoy.
For deviations, I just switch from "track" to "course" mode and dial the selected course. (Trio Pro Pilot)
__________________
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Hangared since 11/23/2011, working on getting airborne again!
Joe Portman
N131RV - RV-7A, IO360A1B6, CS
Rebuilt as TD
Added dual MGL EFIS.
Airborne again at last! 2/21/2009
Elmendorf, TX (28TE)
baron (AT) baron (dot) com
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04-25-2010, 04:46 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Defiance, MO
Posts: 1,674
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Since I do most of my local flying early in the moring, I fly 1000 agl which here in MO around STL is 1500 to 2000 MSL. Very fun going fast down low when smooth.
Cross country I also fly early in the AM so fly 3000-4000 ft MSL. Since I never push fuel I live with the increase in fuel burn flying down low because I like to watch the country side go by. The United States has great things to see from a couple thousand feet up. If I am flying in the afternoon I fly 8,000 or above to get out of the chop.
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Philip
RV-6A - 14+ years, 950+ hours
Based at 1H0 (Creve Coeur)
Paid dues yearly since 2007
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04-25-2010, 06:54 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: palm harbor, fl
Posts: 51
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Thanks for all the responses on my question:
What altitude do rv pilots fly in the summer months, especially florida?
Once again, I find it incredible how involved so many people are in the rv community. Again it reminds me how helpful this forum will be in my building process.
I am really looking forward to getting back up in the air again. I deliberately grounded myself so I can build a rv-9a. I cannot do both. I have not flown as pilot in command since november 2008 since I sold my old & slow cessna 150. I refuse to pay nearly $300 to rent a cessna 172 at a local fbo to get that $100 hamburger, so it looks like I will need to buckle down and get going on this project and hopefully someday I can discuss issues such as where are the nearby flyinn's.
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04-25-2010, 07:10 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Savannah, GA
Posts: 1,849
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I usually fly southbound at 9,500 and north bound at 8,500 or 10,500 when heading to Cocoa Beach.
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Todd
N110TD
RV-10 Vesta V8 LS2/BMA EFIS/One formerly flying at 3J1 Hobbs stopped at 150 hours
Savannah, GA and Ridgeland, SC
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04-25-2010, 08:14 AM
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Houston
Posts: 2,012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cbrown747
Thanks for all the responses on my question:
What altitude do rv pilots fly in the summer months, especially florida?....
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There's not one answer. Where are we headed? We going out over the bay, lakes, beaches? Headed over rangeland? What's the weather doing (bumps down low)? I'd say 75% of my time is somewhere between 1000-3000. But that's in Texas air. 
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Bryan
Houston
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04-25-2010, 08:42 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
Posts: 1,230
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where to fly
An old friend of mine use to say.
" Climb and maintain 60 degrees"
If I remember right we were leaving Oshkosh on a hot day.
Same as Florida on a normal day!
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Bob Martin
RV-6, 0-360 Hartzell C/S, Tip up, 1200+TT
James extended cowl/plenum, induction, -8VS and Rudder. TSFlightline hoses. Oregon Aero leather seats.
D100-KMD150-660-TT ADI2- AS air/oil seperator. Vetterman exhaust with turndown tips.
Louisa, Virginia KLKU N94TB
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04-25-2010, 09:23 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Townsend, Montana
Posts: 3,179
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Quote:
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What altitude do most RV pilots fly?
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I guess most have a great attitude. I know my attitude is going to be much better once I'm an RV pilot!
What?....Oops nevermind, I'll go clean the fiberglass dust off my glasses. 
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Retired Dam guy. Life is good.
Brian, N155BKsold but bought back.
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04-25-2010, 09:57 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Camas, WA
Posts: 481
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+1
thought I was the only loon that did this... ;-)
can't explain why it's fun, but it is...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ironflight
. And then some days I just feel like doing a "moonshot - up to 15 or 16 thousand and back down. No reason - just a nice view and cool air!
Paul
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04-25-2010, 10:41 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Delta, CO/Atlin, BC
Posts: 2,391
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My personal preference for XC (defined as > 1 hour flying time) is in the 11500-15500 range. Cooler (sometimes too cool!), less bumpy, better fuel economy, better view, more glide range, less traffic, and I can actually get flight following. This all assumes no weather and relatively calm winds. I routinely use O2, of course.
greg
__________________
Greg Arehart
RV-9B (Big tires) Tipup @AJZ or CYSQ
N 7965A
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