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What's the max altitude for a -7?

A

ao.frog

Well Known Member
Hi.

I'm doing the last few tests in the testing-phase now so I can have the final certification in May.
(Here in Norway, a final certification is required after the testingphase is completed)

Two of the numbers required is max altitude at soloweight and max weight. (Where VVI is 100'/min)

I don't really care to climb up there and find out since I don't think I'll ever go that high.

Vans says the altitudes are FL 200 and FL 250 so I guess I could use those, but it'd be nice to know if any of you out there has found anything else?

I've a Extreem IO-360 with dual P-mags, fwd injection, M/T two-blade prop and an emptyweight of 1125 lbs.
Has anyone with a simliar configuration any numbers to share?

Thanks.
 
It was exceeded.......

......by an RV owner already. I don't remember which model but I believe that it was around 26,000'. The Van's numbers are good.

Regards
 
Records are made to be broken, right? Look what flightaware is showing this morning... But it's not just altitude.. it's 439 kts over ground (and still climbing!!) that's just as impressive :)


highalt.jpg
 
I seem to remember Kahuna took his super 8 over 30k:eek:

But then you asked for numbers for a 7------
 
Something's wrong here.....

Radomir said:
Records are made to be broken, right? Look what flightaware is showing this morning... But it's not just altitude.. it's 439 kts over ground (and still climbing!!) that's just as impressive :)


[/IMG]
Click to expand...

......because it's an RV-8.

Huh???
 
One warm July day I made 25,500 feet in my RV-7 and the plane would not climb any higher. Fixed pitched and carb with dual light speed ignition. 20,000 ft was still doing 500 ft/min. ATC guys had bets on with each other how high I would get. The one guy was complaining as I went thru 20,000ft that his tired c172 would not climb like that at sea level let alone get to 20k. I was full of fuel on departure with about 20 pounds of baggage and solo. I can't remember the OAT at altitude but it was right around 80 degrees on the ground at sea level.
 
ao.frog said:
Two of the numbers required is max altitude at soloweight and max weight. (Where VVI is 100'/min)
Click to expand...

I'm curious how you're supposed to test at gross weight because by the time you get to altitude you will no longer be at gross weight due to fuel burn.

I love silly government regulations.
 
Radomir said:
Records are made to be broken, right? Look what flightaware is showing this morning... But it's not just altitude.. it's 439 kts over ground (and still climbing!!) that's just as impressive :)


highalt.jpg
Click to expand...

This is obviously a bug. Looks like he's actually bucking a pretty good headwind. Here's the track log:

10:07AM 32.38 -82.42 119 8500 level Jacksonville Center
10:08AM 32.39 -82.46 124 8500 level Jacksonville Center
10:09AM 32.40 -82.49 129 8500 level Jacksonville Center
10:10AM 32.41 -82.53 124 8500 level Jacksonville Center
10:11AM 32.42 -82.57 124 8500 level Jacksonville Center
10:12AM 32.45 -82.63 431 33000 climbing Atlanta TRACON
10:13AM 32.55 -82.68 431 33000 level Atlanta TRACON
10:14AM 32.67 -82.73 430 33000 level Atlanta TRACON
10:15AM 32.78 -82.80 431 33000 level Atlanta TRACON
10:16AM 32.90 -82.85 434 33800 climbing Atlanta TRACON
10:17AM 33.00 -82.90 439 34000 climbing Atlanta TRACON
10:27AM 32.47 -83.20 118 8600 descending Atlanta TRACON
10:28AM 32.47 -83.23 121 8600 level Atlanta TRACON
10:29AM 32.48 -83.27 119 8600 level Atlanta TRACON
 
And with max weight...?

Hi again.

Thanks for the posts guys. I think I'll use 25.500' for solo weight then. "Close enough for goverment work". :)

Have anyone tried max alt with max weight?
(Ofcourse it's given that you TAKEOFF with max weight and then burn whatever it takes to get up there and that alt will be max alt for max weight...)

Thanks.
 
Don't forget when you're up over FL180, you need to be on an IFR flight plan. And 02 if over FL125 for more than 30 minutes.

Roberta:)
 
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