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Greg,
I think that the best altitude for my O-320 is 15,500'. At that altitude I indicate 135 kts (not to sloppy flying) and true at 175 kts using 6 gph.
When I bought the plane in Carson City, NV, in 1998, I flew it across the Rockies at 19,500' indicated and 22,500 density altitude. It didn't fly very well at that altitude but it did fly!
I was flight planing my next trip from Detroit to Jacksonville yesterday and noted that if I flew at flight level 190, I would indicate about 125 kts (a little sloppy but doable) and have a 60 kt tailwind. I will be leaving Friday and my altitude will depend on the wind. 2 weeks ago I flew halfway back at 16,000' for the wind, and as the wind switched around, I went down to 6,000'.
For Oxygen I have the Mountain High pulse demand system with a 10 ft^3 tank. The tank lasts about 20 hours if filled to 1,800 lbs. The pulse demand system makes the oxygen last about 5 times longer and stops your nose from drying out.
One problem with these altitudes is that you can not fly into clouds because of ice. Generally the clouds are icy above 15,000'.
Sometimes when I am flying high enough to see and avoid the tws, I hear and feel sorry for the small planes down low that can't get to these altitudes.
I have standard 8.5 to 1 compression, 160 hp engine and standard wings w/43 gal of fuel. A 360 will fly higher.
Lorn
From: kneaded pleasures <kneadedpleasures@sbcglobal.net>
Date: November 23, 2008 9:55:11 AM GMT-05:00
For those of you who have 360s, have you flown at high altitudes? How often? What special equipment do you have on your planes to handle thin air, cooler temperatures, etc.? How much oxygen capacity? What flow rates? Is it worthwhile to even go to those high altitudes? What advantages have you actually realized (besides bragging rights)?
I have an extended wing, low compression, LNC2 with 3-blade composite prop and room for oxygen. Don't use plane for business but often fly long cross-country legs to visit family and friends. Maybe high altitudes are not for me but I can think of several nights I've spent in hotels 'cause I couldn't go higher to avoid icing, wx and winds. Greg Nelson
--
Lorn H. 'Feathers' Olsen, MAA, ASMEL, ASES, Comm, Inst
DynaComm, Corp., 248-345-0500, mailto:lorn@dynacomm.us
LNC2, FB90/92, O-320-D1F, 1,497 hrs, N31161, Y47, SE Michigan
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