High altitude flight

by carlos montenegro in 912 / 914 Technical Questions 12 years ago

Hi,

I have a Quicsklver GT500 with a Rotax 912ULS. I am based in Bogota at 8.390ft and fly up to 12.500 crossing some mountains and going down to 150ft (and back).

Are these engines safe for this kind of flight, or am I asking for trouble ? ! (Carb icing, mixture,...). What should I do to make this flight as safe as possible?

Some people here think I am out of my mind ... am I?

Great to hear comments, experiences,...

Carlos Montenegro

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Re: High altitude flight

by Roger Lee » 12 years ago

Roger Lee

125 5.12k 4.52k

Hi Carlos,

Your 912 engine can easily handle that 12,500' altitude. I have a couple of friends that have been to flight level 18,000' and above. There is a significant loss of power, but the 912 Rotax engine will get you there. The 914 turbo would be the best way to go for high altitude, but for the 912 it will take you pretty much where the pilots need to go. The military uses the 914 for it's UAV series high altitude aircraft.
I don't think you are out of your mind. I have many friends that do just as you are doing here in the US. Everyone has there own comfort level, just some never seem to leave the couch. The only thing to watch for over mountains are the winds and mountain waves. Know your area and know your weather.

Roger Lee
LSRM-A & Rotax Instructor & Rotax IRC
Tucson, AZ Ryan Airfield (KRYN)
520-349-7056 Cell

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Re: High altitude flight

by MARK JACKSON » 12 years ago

MARK JACKSON

12 332 11

Hi Carlos

I flew over Kilimanjaro in January 2008 with a passenger. I used a 914 on a P+M Aviation trike. I managed 24,262ft before it ran out of steam, and this ended up being a new world record.
Since then, the bloke I took the record off has since reclaimed it by managing just under 27,000ft with a passenger, which is amazing.

Just take Rogers advice and respect the mountain weather, it doesn't take any prisoners.

Cheers Mark

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Re: High altitude flight

by jan kerstens » 12 years ago

jan kerstens

34 131 5

And do not forget to take oxygen Carlos!

Greetings Jan (based in the French Alpes: Mount Blanc even with a Rotax912 UL 80 HP)

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Re: High altitude flight

by MARK JACKSON » 12 years ago

MARK JACKSON

12 332 11

We used welding oxygen, as it was the only thing we could get our hands on in Tanzania. I wouldn't recommend it as it is a bit dry, and I had a VERY bad cough for about 6 weeks after getting back. :sick:

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Re: High altitude flight

by Tony Garrett » 12 years ago

Tony Garrett

20 37 11

Carlos
Here's a link to some pictures and flight at 16,000
http://sky-raft.blogspot.com/2011_11_01_archive.html
click on the pictures to make them bigger
Tony

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High altitude flight

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