Aeros at altitude

Got a spare seat, dear friend? 😀

Tart! :p

Janie, how long did it take you to get to 10,000ft in your Chippy?!!!

I didn’t time it, but it was most of Saturday afternoon. I stopped at 6,000 to throw the old girl on her back a few times. Wayhey! I needed to refuel once I got up there, hence the lack of aero-experimentation.

(well I am older than you!)

I’ll be 103 this November. Quit the bragging about the Harvard. :p It won’t buy you any friends. 🙂 .

Got a spare seat, dear friend? 😀

Jannie, how long did it take you to get to 10,000ft in your Chippy?!!!

I deceided life was to short at 7500ft (well I am older than you!), made a mental note that I needed an aircraft with a bit more grunt – hence time in Harvard!

Hello Merlinmagic. It’s very good to hear from you.

The truth is that I have not tried this yet. I wanted to do some research from a number of different sources before attempting it, particularly as recovery from a spin would doubtless take longer.

I am aware of the rpm limitations of the Gipsy Major and usually reduce the power in the dive to prevent over-high rpm for any length of time.

I am also aware that that there is less power (16%, I was quoted) available at altitude, so my technique may well have to change.

I am also aware that IAS and true airspeed require consideration and one expert source suggested that I dive to 120 indicated instead of 130, but this reliable source is also reliable for practical jokes which has caused me to flick and spin purely for his amusement in the past.

So do you have any wise suggestions?

And to the vultures out there: If I have omitted information it is purely for brevity rather than because I am not in possession of all the information!

And pray what power setting would the aviatrix be using, irrespective of altitude?

Cross that man’s palm with silver 😉

From someone you may know and has been there

“If you start at 10,000 ft you will lose more height getting to 130
knots IAS. Engine power will be less so you will have a lower apex so
will be at “y+5000 – z” feet and the speed will probably be lower
than you like.

In practical terms you may well fall out of it as you get near the
top. Your TAS at 130 IAS will be higher at 10000 than it was at
5000 but your lift will be the same so your radius of pitch will be
much the same., Having less power and the same drag, your IAS will
drop off much faster at 10000 than it did at 5000. You will find it
easy to stall at the top and possibly flick if the ball is off centre. {:~)

Go try it and enjoy it.

Rufus”

Which part of what I said implied that?

‘Diameter’

Only a circle can have a diameter

But fret not. BR has been earnestly researching the answer to your question elsewhere and should be along in a minute with some gen.

Moggy

I think you are boasting that you can do perfect circular loops here

Which part of what I said implied that? I purposly diverted from the word ‘diameter’ to avoid that implication. I couldn’t tell you how perfect they are. I can tell you that I usually hit my wake along the way.

Perhaps, instead of calling it the height of the apex, an analysis of the diameter of the loop would be more appropriate

I think you are boasting that you can do perfect circular loops here, which put my eggy-shaped attempts to shame. Eggs don’t have a diameter 🙁

Moggy

you probably scared the caliper by taking it to 10000 feet.

I think you’ve hit the nail on the head there dear chap. I have a history of scaring inanimate objects.

Perhaps, instead of calling it the height of the apex, an analysis of the diameter of the loop would be more appropriate or at least; say the nadir to zeneth or BDC to TDC, whatever is easiest for you.

If the air pressure is thinner, do I still need my usual 130kts for the loop, or is a higher or lower speed required?

Are there any adjustments to the flying necessary at this altitude to perform safe aeros?

Fair point Trinny, and indisputable.

Perhaps young Janie meant apex over base, rather than apex above sea level?

Moggy

x and n increase with altitude.

y is a bit odd. By definition the higher you are, the higher the apex.

you probably scared the caliper by taking it to 10000 feet.

How are your brakes?

My brake (just one side affected) is fine now. “A lazy caliper” is suspected. I just need to find out exactly why the caliper was insufficiently motivated to good day’s work.

Now who told you about that? :rolleyes:

How are your brakes?

I dunno! … What happened?

Did I say that I tried this?

I’m just asking a question to see if there is anyone out there with an informed answer. Sorry Bluey, you’ll have to wait.

I dunno! Air density will play a bit part here in powering (or not) your engine, getting those air molecules around the wings and your dive acceleration.

What happened?