Ultralight altitude record

[Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired]

What is the altitude record for an ultralight?

Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired

[John Ammeter]

On Fri, 27 May 2005 19:40:41 -0500, "Dan, U.S. Air Force,
retired" > wrote:

>What is the altitude record for an ultralight?
>
>Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired

Easiest way to get this info is to simply ask Jim
Campbell... I'm sure he could check his logbook for the data
and let you know when and how high he was...

John

[Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired]

John Ammeter wrote:

> On Fri, 27 May 2005 19:40:41 -0500, "Dan, U.S. Air Force,
> retired" > wrote:
>
>
>>What is the altitude record for an ultralight?
>>
>>Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired
>
>
> Easiest way to get this info is to simply ask Jim
> Campbell... I'm sure he could check his logbook for the data
> and let you know when and how high he was...
>
> John

We already knew he's high. The reason I asked is he claims the record. I
want to know who really holds the record.

Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired

[Darrel Toepfer]

Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired wrote:

> We already knew he's high. The reason I asked is he claims the record. I
> want to know who really holds the record.

http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/gwr5/content_pages/record.asp?recordid=56393
Highest Flying Propeller-Driven Aircraft
The highest ever altitude reached by a propeller-driven aircraft is
29,413 m (96,500 ft), by the unmanned, solar-powered Helios Prototype
flying wing over the Hawaiian Island of Kauai on August 13, 2001.
Commissioned by NASA and developed by Aerovironment Inc. of Monrovia,
California, USA, Helios is one of a new breed of slow-flying,
high-altitude aircraft that its makers believe will present a viable
alternative to communications satellites in the future.

http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/gwr5/content_pages/record.asp?recordid=44049
Highest Hot-Air Balloon Altitude
Per Lindstrand achieved the altitude record of 19,811 m. (64,997 ft.) in
a Colt 600 hot-air balloon over Laredo, Texas, USA, on June 6, 1988.

http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/gwr5/content_pages/record.asp?recordid=51479
Highest Flying Birds
The highest altitude recorded for a bird is 11,300 m. (37,000 ft.), for
a Ruppell’s vulture (Gyps rueppellii), which collided with a commercial
aircraft over Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, on November 29, 1973.

http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/gwr5/content_pages/record.asp?recordid=56167
Highest Sky-Diving Dog
They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Try telling that to
Brutus, the world's busiest skydiving dog! The miniature dachshund has
made more than 71 separate skydives, accompanied by owner Ron Sirull.
Brutus follows in the paw-steps of Katie, a British Jack Russell
(pictured above) who made the first ever doggie skydive in 1987 from a
height of 3,658 m 12,000 ft). Brutus has since broken Katie's record
with a jump of 4,572 m (15,000 ft).

WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Although parachuting dates back to the 1780s, it took another 150 years
for people to throw themselves out of airplanes for fun! The sport of
skydiving became really popular in the 1970s, when divers began to
attempt mid-air acrobatics before landing on a specified target.
Skydivers typically freefall about 762 m (2,500 ft) before opening their
parachute. Today's steerable 'chutes allow the diver a high degree of
control over both their speed and direction.

CHECK THIS OUT…
Airhostess Vesna Vulovic survived a fall of 10,160 m (33,330 ft) without
a parachute when her DC-9 plane blew up over the former Czechoslovakia
on January 26, 1972!

[dje]

In the US I believe they are not allowed above 17,999 ft.

From Ultralight news.com:

"A Falcon UL still claims the altitude record of 26,900'."

David

"Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired" > wrote in message
news:k6Ple.35783$aB.6376@lakeread03...
> What is the altitude record for an ultralight?
>
> Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired

[Anthony W]

dje wrote:
> In the US I believe they are not allowed above 17,999 ft.
>
> From Ultralight news.com:
>
> "A Falcon UL still claims the altitude record of 26,900'."
>
> David

I can't find it but for what it's worth, I once read that a Mitchel U2
was flown to about the same altitude over Germany. It's a cool little
plane but at 6'5", if I could fit in one, it would never get me off the
ground (even if I became anorexic and not F'ing likely either...)

Tony

[David O]

"Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired" > wrote:

>What is the altitude record for an ultralight?
>
>Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired

In 1989, Eric Scott Winton flew his Facet Opal (an ultralight as
defined by Australian regs) to an altitude of 9,189 m (approx 30,150
ft) over Tyagarah Aerodrome, NSW Australia. The powerplant was a 40
hp Rotax 447.

Unfortunately, Mr. Winton later died when the wing of his Facet Opal
folded (allegedly while buzzing his grandmother's house).

It should be noted that Australian regulations allow more weight for
ultralight aircraft than USA regulations.

Mr. Winton's record is recognized by the Fédération Aéronautique
Internationale under two classes,

1) Class C (Airplanes) Sub-class C-1a/0 (Landplanes: take off weight
less than 300 kg) Group 1 : piston engine

2) Class R (Microlights) Sub-class RAL1 (Microlights : Movable
Aerodynamic Control / Landplane / Flown with one person)

Here is a picture of Mr. Winton's Facet Opal

http://airplanezone.com/NewsgroupPix/Facet_Opal.php

Here is a link to the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale website

http://www.fai.org


David O

[Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired]

David O wrote:
> "Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired" > wrote:
>
>
>>What is the altitude record for an ultralight?
>>
>>Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired
>
>
> In 1989, Eric Scott Winton flew his Facet Opal (an ultralight as
> defined by Australian regs) to an altitude of 9,189 m (approx 30,150
> ft) over Tyagarah Aerodrome, NSW Australia. The powerplant was a 40
> hp Rotax 447.
>
> Unfortunately, Mr. Winton later died when the wing of his Facet Opal
> folded (allegedly while buzzing his grandmother's house).
>
> It should be noted that Australian regulations allow more weight for
> ultralight aircraft than USA regulations.
>
> Mr. Winton's record is recognized by the Fédération Aéronautique
> Internationale under two classes,
>
> 1) Class C (Airplanes) Sub-class C-1a/0 (Landplanes: take off weight
> less than 300 kg) Group 1 : piston engine
>
> 2) Class R (Microlights) Sub-class RAL1 (Microlights : Movable
> Aerodynamic Control / Landplane / Flown with one person)
>
> Here is a picture of Mr. Winton's Facet Opal
>
> http://airplanezone.com/NewsgroupPix/Facet_Opal.php
>
> Here is a link to the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale website
>
> http://www.fai.org
>
>
> David O
>
It's a rather neat looking aircraft.

Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired

[Blueskies]

"Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired" > wrote in message news:k6Ple.35783$aB.6376@lakeread03...
> What is the altitude record for an ultralight?
>
> Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired

There are records for all type of these crafts. Common limitation is EW of 254 lbs, max airspeed 55 knots, and no more
than 5 gallons of fuel. Variables include landing gear and control configuration.

Data below from the 1998 NAA record book...

Weight shift trike solo: altitude 31890 ft over France
Weight shift trike, multiplace: altitude 19606 ft again in France
Rigid wing, aerodynamic controls, solo: altitude 30000 ft over Australia
Rigid wing, aerodynamic controls, multiplace: altitude 23435 over Italy
Rigid wing, aerodynamic controls, solo Seaplane: altitude (no records registered)
Rigid wing, aerodynamic controls, multiplace Seaplane: altitude (no records registered)
Foot launched powered hang glider: altitude 17159 ft over France
Foot launched powered paraglider: altitude 16572 ft over France

[Jez]

"Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired" > wrote in message
news:lgPle.35785$aB.18615@lakeread03...
>
> We already knew he's high. The reason I asked is he claims the record. I
> want to know who really holds the record.
>
> Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired

As far as I know an acquaintance of mine, Richard Meredith-Hardy, probably
holds the record. He flew over Mt Everest last year is a much modified
flexwing, with oxygen kit etc. Here's a link to his exploits for those
interested in these things: http://www.flymicro.com/everest/

Jez

[Turbo Tiger]

Now a helicopter landed on top of Everest.



TurboTiger

[Ron Wanttaja]

On Sat, 28 May 2005 13:23:25 GMT, "Turbo Tiger" >
wrote:

>Now a helicopter landed on top of Everest.

A woman, asking for directions? :-)

Ron Wanttaja

[Matt Whiting]

Ron Wanttaja wrote:
> On Sat, 28 May 2005 13:23:25 GMT, "Turbo Tiger" >
> wrote:
>
>
>>Now a helicopter landed on top of Everest.
>
>
> A woman, asking for directions? :-)

Got to be. A man never would have stopped to ask. :-)


Matt

[gilan]

I have some articles on my website about the Mitchell Wing U2 holding the
record for a while

http://www.mitchellwing.com/Rowley%20articles/getting%20high.htm


--
Mitchell Wing
http://www.mitchellwing.com

--
Have a good day and stay out of the trees!
See ya on Sport Aircraft group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Sport_Aircraft/






> I can't find it but for what it's worth, I once read that a Mitchel U2 was
> flown to about the same altitude over Germany. It's a cool little plane
> but at 6'5", if I could fit in one, it would never get me off the ground
> (even if I became anorexic and not F'ing likely either...)
>
> Tony

[Tim Ward]

"dje" > wrote in message
...
> In the US I believe they are not allowed above 17,999 ft.
>
> From Ultralight news.com:
>
> "A Falcon UL still claims the altitude record of 26,900'."
>
> David
>
> "Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired" > wrote in message
> news:k6Ple.35783$aB.6376@lakeread03...
> > What is the altitude record for an ultralight?
> >
> > Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired

Oh, you can get exceptions by prearrangement with ATC.
For example, there's a box over Sandia, near Albequerque, that can be opened
up, and several hang gliders have gone over 22,000 feet there, perfectly
legally.

Tim Ward

[Anthony W]

gilan wrote:
> I have some articles on my website about the Mitchell Wing U2 holding the
> record for a while
>
> http://www.mitchellwing.com/Rowley%20articles/getting%20high.htm

I wonder if that design could be scaled up to somewhere around the sport
plane size? About 150 or 200% of original specification.

Tony

[gilan]

The U2 already is ELSA size. If you made it 150% to 200% larger it would be
enormous!
--
Mitchell Wing
http://www.mitchellwing.com
--
Have a good day and stay out of the trees!
See ya on Sport Aircraft group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Sport_Aircraft/



>>
>> http://www.mitchellwing.com/Rowley%20articles/getting%20high.htm
>
> I wonder if that design could be scaled up to somewhere around the sport
> plane size? About 150 or 200% of original specification.
>
> Tony

[Anthony W]

gilan wrote:
> The U2 already is ELSA size. If you made it 150% to 200% larger it would be
> enormous!

I can't find any specs on the Mitchell U2 and the weight of the plane
meeting FAR103 makes me think it's rather small.

Do you know where I can get more info on the U2?

Tony

[Tim Ward]

"Anthony W" > wrote in message
news:Pvnme.5538$Vm4.444@trnddc01...
> gilan wrote:
> > The U2 already is ELSA size. If you made it 150% to 200% larger it
would be
> > enormous!
>
> I can't find any specs on the Mitchell U2 and the weight of the plane
> meeting FAR103 makes me think it's rather small.
>
> Do you know where I can get more info on the U2?
>
> Tony

Well, I googled for "Mitchell Wing" U2
and got a number of hits. That will bring up information on the B-10 and
A-10 as well.
The U2, at an empty weight of 320 lbs, would not meet part 103

Tim Ward

[LJ and Nancy blodgett]

The u2 almost is an ultralight.HP_10-22hp/34'wing
span/9'length/3'height/136 sq.ft./430 gross wt./200 mt.wt./top speed82
mph/75 mph cruise/23 mph stall/400' sea-level climb. LJ

Anthony W wrote:
> gilan wrote:
>
>> The U2 already is ELSA size. If you made it 150% to 200% larger it
>> would be enormous!
>
>
> I can't find any specs on the Mitchell U2 and the weight of the plane
> meeting FAR103 makes me think it's rather small.
>
> Do you know where I can get more info on the U2?
>
> Tony

[Robert Bonomi]

In article >,
Matt Whiting > wrote:
>Ron Wanttaja wrote:
>> On Sat, 28 May 2005 13:23:25 GMT, "Turbo Tiger" >
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Now a helicopter landed on top of Everest.
>>
>>
>> A woman, asking for directions? :-)
>
>Got to be. A man never would have stopped to ask. :-)

_Why_ stop to ask?

In that situation, the answer will *always* be "down"!


*GRIN*

[Robert Yoder]

Darrel Toepfer wrote:
> Highest Flying Birds
> The highest altitude recorded for a bird is 11,300 m. (37,000 ft.), for
> a Ruppell’s vulture (Gyps rueppellii), which collided with a commercial
> aircraft over Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, on November 29, 1973.
>
> http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/gwr5/content_pages/record.asp?recordid=56167

So for a bird to claim a new record, it must collide with an aircraft?
Man, that's rough!


ry
--

[[email protected]]

David O wrote:
>
> In 1989, Eric Scott Winton flew his Facet Opal (an ultralight as
> defined by Australian regs) to an altitude of 9,189 m (approx 30,150
> ft) over Tyagarah Aerodrome, NSW Australia. The powerplant was a 40
> hp Rotax 447.
>

That's a neat looking airplane. Are there any design parameters
published, stuff like wingspan, airfoil, chord etc?

--

FF

[[email protected]]

hi David,
Its Andrew Ford CFI from Camden.
Read with interest your post re the Facet Opel.
Our club arranged for the press to be present after it landed at the Oaks Airfield.
It was a good landing but because of the weight considerations the under carrage was minimal, causing the wheels to come off when it gently touched down, however it slid on its under belly for 3/4 of the grass strip and all ended well.
The female journalist was rather disappointing being interested in the wheels coming off the Opel than the setting of a new Altitude record.
The Opel stayed at the Airfield for a couple of days before it was picked up by Scott who continued to fly it.
Yes it was sad when the wings folded during an extreme maneuver and unfortunately Scott did not survive the accident.
But a tribute to a young man who followed his dream and dared to push the boundaries of ultralight flight.
Wish you all the best
Andris Ford.

On Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 9:45:13 AM UTC+3, David O wrote:
> "Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired" > wrote:
>
> >What is the altitude record for an ultralight?
> >
> >Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired
>
> In 1989, Eric Scott Winton flew his Facet Opal (an ultralight as
> defined by Australian regs) to an altitude of 9,189 m (approx 30,150
> ft) over Tyagarah Aerodrome, NSW Australia. The powerplant was a 40
> hp Rotax 447.
>
> Unfortunately, Mr. Winton later died when the wing of his Facet Opal
> folded (allegedly while buzzing his grandmother's house).
>
> It should be noted that Australian regulations allow more weight for
> ultralight aircraft than USA regulations.
>
> Mr. Winton's record is recognized by the Fédération Aéronautique
> Internationale under two classes,
>
> 1) Class C (Airplanes) Sub-class C-1a/0 (Landplanes: take off weight
> less than 300 kg) Group 1 : piston engine
>
> 2) Class R (Microlights) Sub-class RAL1 (Microlights : Movable
> Aerodynamic Control / Landplane / Flown with one person)
>
> Here is a picture of Mr. Winton's Facet Opal
>
> http://airplanezone.com/NewsgroupPix/Facet_Opal.php
>
> Here is a link to the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale website
>
> http://www.fai.org
>
>
> David O