Max altitude in DA20-C1

Any DA20 related topics

Moderators: Rick, Lance Murray

Post Reply
User avatar
gtrag94
1 Diamond Member
1 Diamond Member
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Jun 05, 2017 3:18 am
First Name: Craig
Aircraft Type: DA20-C1
Aircraft Registration: N212DX
Airports: KSMD

Max altitude in DA20-C1

Post by gtrag94 »

New here, but I'm the curious type... From what I can tell, there is no legal maximum for a DA20-C1, only a max based on aircraft performance. The FIM says "max cruising altitude 13,120ft (4,000m) in standard conditions. So, what's your record?
User avatar
Diamond13
3 Diamonds Member
3 Diamonds Member
Posts: 96
Joined: Thu Apr 14, 2011 4:44 pm
First Name: Robert
Aircraft Type: DA40
Aircraft Registration: CYXU
Airports: CYXU
Been thanked: 15 times

Re: Max altitude in DA20-C1

Post by Diamond13 »

Craig, you're correct. The service ceiling is a 'performance-based' limitation. Not an Operating limitation. When your rate-of-climb is down to approx 100'/minute, you have reached the service ceiling, and Normal operation of the aircraft above that altitude may not be reached.
User avatar
Pascal
3 Diamonds Member
3 Diamonds Member
Posts: 165
Joined: Sun May 15, 2016 3:35 am
First Name: Pascal
Aircraft Type: DA20-C1
Aircraft Registration: CGSMT
Airports: CYJN
Has thanked: 40 times
Been thanked: 33 times

Re: Max altitude in DA20-C1

Post by Pascal »

Just a hair above 12,000 feet.

http://zenpeaks.com/freezing-at-12000-feet/
User avatar
Diamond13
3 Diamonds Member
3 Diamonds Member
Posts: 96
Joined: Thu Apr 14, 2011 4:44 pm
First Name: Robert
Aircraft Type: DA40
Aircraft Registration: CYXU
Airports: CYXU
Been thanked: 15 times

Re: Max altitude in DA20-C1

Post by Diamond13 »

Nice aircraft, I think I flew that one......had the DA40 up to 20,000', chilly there too.....
User avatar
Derek
3 Diamonds Member
3 Diamonds Member
Posts: 117
Joined: Fri Apr 06, 2012 7:07 am
First Name: Derek
Aircraft Type: DA40
Aircraft Registration: CGPDN
Airports: CYTZ
Has thanked: 18 times
Been thanked: 19 times

Re: Max altitude in DA20-C1

Post by Derek »

20,000 feet, impressive!
Assuming you're on oxygen, are there safety concerns with flying a DA20 or 40 up to or above their operational limits? Is the aircraft's operating envelope too small and a stall too easy to fall into, for example?
User avatar
Lou
4 Diamonds Member
4 Diamonds Member
Posts: 370
Joined: Sat Nov 21, 2015 1:39 pm
First Name: Louis
Aircraft Type: DA40
Aircraft Registration: CGXLO
Airports: CZVL
Has thanked: 118 times
Been thanked: 115 times

Re: Max altitude in DA20-C1

Post by Lou »

The aircraft feels the same at the same indicated airspeed no matter what altitude is - KIAS is what the the airplanes "feels" if you will. The exception is compression effects as you approach the speed of sound. That's why jets use Mach numbers. The Do Not Exceed speed is measured in Mach, whereas the stall speed is measured by KIAS. The U2 was difficult to fly because the performance band between the two limitations was a couple of knots. Too fast, you break up. Too slow, you stall. Yikes.
User avatar
rwtucker
5 Diamonds Member
5 Diamonds Member
Posts: 1283
Joined: Thu Feb 21, 2013 11:24 pm
First Name: Rob
Aircraft Type: DA40
Aircraft Registration: N831BA
Airports: KFFZ KEUL
Has thanked: 100 times
Been thanked: 110 times

Re: Max altitude in DA20-C1

Post by rwtucker »

Derek wrote:20,000 feet, impressive!
Assuming you're on oxygen, are there safety concerns with flying a DA20 or 40 up to or above their operational limits? Is the aircraft's operating envelope too small and a stall too easy to fall into, for example?
I was told that the primary factor in setting the 20,000 ft. ceiling on my PA28-201T was rudder authority. The previous owner said that the aircraft would still climb >100fps at 20,000 MSl (I have never flown it that high). I have flown my DA40 (early 2008 XLS w/PowerFlow) at 16,500. I can't offer precision observations but the aircraft "feels" different at that altitude -- quieter, smoother, maybe less control resistance -- and appears ready to climb more. When I am at that altitude, my focus in on the O2 and a descent plan should something fail. I don't kow how much is psychological and how much physiological but obtaining normal blood oxygen via a cannula feels different.
Post Reply