High altitude flights...

[RDRickster]

I was wondering what's the highest density altitude Brantly drivers have flown. Unless I'm mistaken, I believe that the first female helicopter pilot to fly over the Alps did it in a Brantly. If you've flown in mountains with your Brantly, please share your experiences!

[Ron Spiker]

I'm sure others have flown higher in their Brantly's, but this summer I went to 6,400' MSL. Using 45º F, 30" pressure and about 70% humidity, that put me right under 7000'. That's the highest I've been in a helicopter. At ~ 5,200' AGL, it feels like you're WAY up there.

Ron

[jwgood]

Just to explore the envelope, I took a B2B to 12,200 feet indicated before she stopped climbing. Understand that this was a ship with less than 100 hours total time and it was during the winter months. If I remember correctly manifold pressure was down to 15-16 inches at the full throttle stop. Also, took off in a B2B at 112' F with a DA of 4,600 feet. Two 200lb POB and about 20 gallons in the bag.

[donlew]

I would also like to know what is the highest density altitude anyone has taken off and landed a B2B?

Don L.

[Ron Spiker]

Took it up to just over 7,000' indicated a couple days ago. Still had power left, but was feeling kinda small at about 5,800' AGL. Hopefully I'll get a chance to try it again before summer.

Are there any dangers I may be unaware of, besides just running out of power, by going to these altitudes? I see jwgood's post from November and it looks like there's just no more power to climb, so you come back down. Anything else?

[donlew]

Took a nice flight Saturday. Flew up to 5,000 ft MSL. Temp was 40 degrees.

Density Alt. was 4,923 ft.

Two of us aboard. About 410 lbs. + 1/2 tank fuel. Was running about 21 lbs. manifold pressure. Ship was still climbing and had plenty of power.

Don L.

[donlew]

Was out flying yesterday. Had a nice flight. weather was great about 70 degrees.

Had the ship up to 7000 ft. Still climbing out at 500 fpm.

Great day for flying.

Don