Flight Time: 1.0 hours ... Total Engine Time: 0.0 hours
Build Time: 0.0 hours ... Analysis Time: 0.0 hours
I had access to a portable O2 system and so decided to find out how high
the plane could go today.
The answer is: I still don't know and won't unless I get an IFR rating to
enter Class A airspace. I stopped at 17,500 MSL.
Conditions:
9 gallons fuel & 165lb pilot onboard.
Temperature at altitude was 19 deg F, RH 22%, press 30.145", which means
Density Altitude was 18,697ft.
The climb rate was around 100-150fpm. Since I wasn't going to go any closer
to FL180 I leveled off and took some readings. Full-throttle RPM on the
Stratus EA-81 (highly "detuned") was down to 4100. IAS was 56kts. It took
36 minutes to climb from Meadow Lake Airport (00V, 6840ft), near Colorado
Springs to 17500… I guess Bruce Bohannon doesn't have to worry too much ;)
I was interesting to have to look down onto Pike's Peak.