Questions tagged [high-altitude]

Regions on or above the earth's surface located higher than 8,000ft or 2,500m above sea level.

Regions on the Earth's surface (or in its atmosphere) that are high above mean sea level (MSL) are referred to as high altitude. High altitude is sometimes defined to begin at 8,000 ft or 2,500 meters above sea level. Altitude sickness commonly occurs above this level.

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What is the straight-and-level altitude record for a heavier-than-air winged/lifting-body aircraft?

There are many variants of the flight altitude record. The highest on the list is SpaceShipOne but rocketry isn't really "flight" in the sense of aerodynamic lift. What is the highest altitude for which: The flight at a reasonably constant speed…
Kevin Kostlan
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Are there any high altitude flying options for a private pilot?

If you are a private pilot that wants to fly really high, what are your options? For gliders it's not uncommon to reach FL160. Beechcraft Baron can reach FL190. Assume you want to reach FL200 or FL300 or FL400. What are your options each…
John Mayne
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What are the ground and flight requirements for high performance endorsement?

I'm told ground is proficiency based but that in the plane you have to fly up to 25,000 feet! I don't know anything short of a turboprop capable of doing that, let alone have the ability to rent it. I'm finding different answers everywhere I look!…
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Why do high altitude air-launch plane designers choose to use two fuselages?

We see double fuselages in both the huge Stratolaunch vehicle and in Virgin Galactics high altitude launch vehicle. What about this design makes it desirable?
David
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