fisher.garrett
Registered User
Hello,
I would like to find a Super Cub that can make it to 23,000 feet to fly around some rather large peaks in the Andes. I am not a novice to high altitude flying, as I have flown a PA-11 to the 58 peaks over 14k in Colorado, every glacier in MT, WY, and CO, the 82 highest peaks in the Alps, 129 highest peaks in the Pyrenees, etc... As one can tell, this is something of an addiction.
I am aware that the PA-18-150's service ceiling is 19000'. I am also aware that my PA-11's service ceiling is 16,000', and I have exceeded it while carrying a rather heavy load. Anyhow, I am curious if anyone has experience on how high a 160hp or 180hp can go, or what difference a climb prop makes in any engine combo. I have heard anecdotal evidence that vortex generators can help service ceilings, though I am not certain of it, as the event in question with the PA-11 was without vortex generators, and then I struggled to get above 16000' again with them installed later on, though it was also a winter vs summer service ceiling test. There are also ISA altimeter differentials when its 10F surface temp vs 86F and I equally make it to 16000'.
I have access to a spunky PA-18-135 that will be getting VGs installed, so I can do a ceiling test before and after. I also have access to a PA-18-150 I can rent in France, located at an airport where Class E goes to 19,500', just to see how the book compares to reality.
It is also conceivable that I would have to ride mountain waves to get up that high. I routinely do it in the PA-11, as sometimes its the only thing that will lift my sorry 267lb rear end.
Somebody will probably recommend something other than a Super Cub and, well, I grew up on them and part of the challenge is to push a Cub and Super Cub as far as they will go. Something about a 300hp Cessna is entirely unattractive.
Thanks for any suggestions.
I would like to find a Super Cub that can make it to 23,000 feet to fly around some rather large peaks in the Andes. I am not a novice to high altitude flying, as I have flown a PA-11 to the 58 peaks over 14k in Colorado, every glacier in MT, WY, and CO, the 82 highest peaks in the Alps, 129 highest peaks in the Pyrenees, etc... As one can tell, this is something of an addiction.
I am aware that the PA-18-150's service ceiling is 19000'. I am also aware that my PA-11's service ceiling is 16,000', and I have exceeded it while carrying a rather heavy load. Anyhow, I am curious if anyone has experience on how high a 160hp or 180hp can go, or what difference a climb prop makes in any engine combo. I have heard anecdotal evidence that vortex generators can help service ceilings, though I am not certain of it, as the event in question with the PA-11 was without vortex generators, and then I struggled to get above 16000' again with them installed later on, though it was also a winter vs summer service ceiling test. There are also ISA altimeter differentials when its 10F surface temp vs 86F and I equally make it to 16000'.
I have access to a spunky PA-18-135 that will be getting VGs installed, so I can do a ceiling test before and after. I also have access to a PA-18-150 I can rent in France, located at an airport where Class E goes to 19,500', just to see how the book compares to reality.
It is also conceivable that I would have to ride mountain waves to get up that high. I routinely do it in the PA-11, as sometimes its the only thing that will lift my sorry 267lb rear end.
Somebody will probably recommend something other than a Super Cub and, well, I grew up on them and part of the challenge is to push a Cub and Super Cub as far as they will go. Something about a 300hp Cessna is entirely unattractive.
Thanks for any suggestions.