Max altitude in DA20-C1
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- gtrag94
- 1 Diamond Member
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- 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
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?
- Diamond13
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- First Name: Robert
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Re: Max altitude in DA20-C1
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.
- Diamond13
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Re: Max altitude in DA20-C1
Nice aircraft, I think I flew that one......had the DA40 up to 20,000', chilly there too.....
- Derek
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Re: Max altitude in DA20-C1
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?
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?
- Lou
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Re: Max altitude in DA20-C1
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.
- rwtucker
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Re: Max altitude in DA20-C1
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.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?