High Altitude RV Flight - Page 2

Mark_H · #11 03-11-2017, 10:17 AM

So what's the altitude record for a 9?

Vlad · #12 03-11-2017, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark_H

So what's the altitude record for a 9?

I've heard of 23 and a change. Pilot said she is very mushy and doesn't climb anymore.

turbo · #13 03-12-2017, 05:51 AM

don't take this lightly. you would need quite a bit of preparation to do this. i brought mine to 18K when i got my O2 system years ago. that was easy. quit a sight from a tiny rv. she was climbing @500fpm when i reached my goal.

YEA!

N941WR · #14 03-12-2017, 06:35 AM

I've had mine up to 17.6 DA and as mentioned, she was still climbing at 500 FPM, which is what I had the AP set for.

I did notice that it was still trimmed nose down when compared to a short wing RV.

Steve Melton · #15 03-12-2017, 07:09 AM

the FAA can report that mine has been to 21K.... loaded over the rail with Christmas trip baggage. Indicated speed was 90 kts and ground speed on that day was 207 kts. the pilot was beginning to get loopy and will not do that again.

jeffkersey · #16 03-12-2017, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Melton

the FAA can report that mine has been to 21K.... loaded over the rail with Christmas trip baggage. Indicated speed was 90 kts and ground speed on that day was 207 kts. the pilot was beginning to get loopy and will not do that again.

Were you just using nasal cannula's or did you have a mask. Were you not getting enough oxygen?

I've only been to 13.5 in mine. But foresee needing to go higher out west.

Steve Melton · #17 03-12-2017, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffkersey

Were you just using nasal cannula's or did you have a mask. Were you not getting enough oxygen?

I've only been to 13.5 in mine. But foresee needing to go higher out west.

nasal cannula, not enough O2. my O2 was set at 16K. that was the first time I had been up that high and I also don't believe I was breathing correctly to get the O2. that was dumb.

Greg Arehart · #18 03-12-2017, 08:21 AM

I've been to 18k (absolute, did not check the DA) in mine, with cannula oxygen. Still climbing fine, still in low-90s for oxygen saturation. Would like to try it higher some day just to see....

I often fly cross-country at 13-15k. More efficient and necessary in some places to get flight following.

flyinga · #19 03-12-2017, 09:58 AM

If you have an O2 failure at 25,000' figure how long it would take you to get to an altitude where you could recover from hypoxia (10,000?). You might want to consider an emergency "can" of O2.

bpattonsoa · #20 03-12-2017, 10:19 AM

I took my -10 up to 17,999 on autopilot set at 500 FPm during the Phase 1 testing . Used a pulse demand system for O2, same as in my glider. Have been that high soaring many times, no loss of brain power with oxygen.

The -10 handled the climb well, had to drop to 300 FPM around 10K due to cylinder temperature for about 2K to bring them below 400. Engine was not completely broken in at that point, routinely go above 12K for long flights with no issues.

The autopilot started having trouble about 17.5K, sort of flying like it was drunk. Took a while to level out and pick up speed on top. Ceiling is obviously higher at a slower climb, but am not IFR.