[rebel-builders] Airplane ceiling

[Walter Klatt]

Here's how I fly mine in the mountains (also this way in the flat lands if
conditions are right), when I am on a trip. This is with a 150 hp 0320
amphib Rebel. If I am going east, meaning there will likely be a good
tailwind up high, I will just keep it full throttle from take-off to descent
for landing. Of course this assumes no cloud ceilings. On climb out, I start
leaning around 5000 ASL. When I am around 8000, I am fully leaned out, and
keep adjusting it for best power and economy (I also have a fuel monitor and
engine 4 EGT/CHT monitor) as I keep climbing. Once I get over 10,000, I am
very much at the mercy of the updrafts and downdrafts, and hard to hold a
constant altitude. I try to keep to the east/west cruising altitudes, but
when you are going past peaks that reach 12,000, that isn't your primary
objective. It's not uncommon to be at 10,500 and 15 minutes later be at
12,000, then back down to 10,500 15 minutes after that. Bear in mind, that
you are supposed to carry oxygen if you are up there more than 1/2 hour.

Going west is an entirely different matter. Of course, before any cross
country flight, I get a weather briefing and take careful note of the winds
at different altitudes. But generally, I do an initial climb to fairly high
just to confirm the winds, and then just use general mountain flying
techniques to figure out where the best winds and lift are. The big
difference though, is that you don't go any higher than necessary, to avoid
the open head winds. It's sometimes surprising how you can find a tail wind
lower down in a valley when you would have a headwind up high.

If you google Mountain Flying, you will find some good books by Sparky
Imeson that I would highly recommend.

So with your 0360 Elite on wheels, I am quite sure that you will just be
limited by oxygen, not your airplane ceiling. But you should be able to get
some pretty decent cruise speeds up there, if you keep it WOT.

Walter

-----Original Message-----
From: mike.davis@dcsol.com [mailto:mike.davis@dcsol.com] On Behalf Of
michael betti
Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2007 6:46 AM
To: rebel-builders@dcsol.com
Subject: [rebel-builders] Airplane ceiling

Builders and pilots,
Any body have a feel for what the expected operating ceiling of my
Elite is? I'm sure many of you out there get alot of practice around
those mountains. Around here it's just hills. I hope to travel out west
in the future so I need to learn some limits. Is there some sort of
procedure for climbing beyond say 10,000', like leaning during climb?
Thanks,
Mike Betti
N771ME



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[robert@montanasky.us]

Mike,

When the mixture is out as lean as it will go (just inside idle cutoff),
and the throtle is all the way in, and it won't climb anymore ... you're
maximum atainable ceiling is that density altitude. Depending on what rate
of climb you want to sustain in your hip pocket, will define your operating
density altitude ceiling.

Bob 612e

Original Message:
-----------------
From: michael betti mbetti@hughes.net
Date: Thu, 29 Mar 2007 13:45:53 +0000 (UTC)
To: rebel-builders@dcsol.com
Subject: [rebel-builders] Airplane ceiling


Builders and pilots,
Any body have a feel for what the expected operating ceiling of my
Elite is? I'm sure many of you out there get alot of practice around
those mountains. Around here it's just hills. I hope to travel out west
in the future so I need to learn some limits. Is there some sort of
procedure for climbing beyond say 10,000', like leaning during climb?
Thanks,
Mike Betti
N771ME



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[Mike Betti]

Thanks for the replies. I ordered Sparkys book today and will read up. Can a
person fly over Yellowstone Park these days? 2000' AGL?
Mike

----- Original Message -----
From: <robert@montanasky.us>
To: <rebel-builders@dcsol.com>
Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2007 9:16 AM
Subject: RE: [rebel-builders] Airplane ceiling


[quote]Mike,

When the mixture is out as lean as it will go (just inside idle cutoff),
and the throtle is all the way in, and it won't climb anymore ... you're
maximum atainable ceiling is that density altitude. Depending on what
rate
of climb you want to sustain in your hip pocket, will define your
operating
density altitude ceiling.

Bob 612e

Original Message:
-----------------
From: michael betti mbetti@hughes.net
Date: Thu, 29 Mar 2007 13:45:53 +0000 (UTC)
To: rebel-builders@dcsol.com
Subject: [rebel-builders] Airplane ceiling


Builders and pilots,
Any body have a feel for what the expected operating ceiling of my
Elite is? I'm sure many of you out there get alot of practice around
those mountains. Around here it's just hills. I hope to travel out west
in the future so I need to learn some limits. Is there some sort of
procedure for climbing beyond say 10,000', like leaning during climb?
Thanks,
Mike Betti
N771ME



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