Wade Hasbrouck writes:

Service Ceiling I believe is defined as "where Vx equals Vy", which where
they meet will result in a minimal to non-existent climb rate. Vx increases
as altitude increases, Vy decreases as altitude increases. Also as you
climb less dense air produces less lift (get to a point where there is not
longer "surplus" lift to produce a climb), and less engine power to move the
aircraft through the air. To climb a 172 to that altitude takes a long
time... :-) which is because as you climb the wings produce less and less
lift and the climb rate decreases, along with the engine not being able to
produce as much power.

Yup, that's what I noticed. At least it's a gradual thing, so it
doesn't come as a nasty surprise. It became obvious that the aircraft
didn't want to go higher, and as the slopes loomed in the window I
decided to turn around and explore other areas. The scenery for KSEA
and its surroundings is unusually detailed and performant, for some
reason.

Yesterday, I flew up to KBVS from KRNT at 4500',
which I didn't reach until I was almost over KPAE, but then I had to hang
out at 2500' for a bit waiting for the Center Controller to get me a squawk
code and clear me through the Class B. :-) Coming home, I was telling my
passenger..."The question for the trip home is 5500' or 3500'?" And she
asked "Why?" I explained the VFR Altitude Rule, and then said "It takes a
'long time' to get to 5500' and then by the time you get there you pretty
much have to start descending, as it is easier to avoid the Class B."
Picked 3500' for the trip home, as that is sufficient to clear the Class D
at KPAE (Class D at KPAE goes to 3100') Route was basically
KRNT-KPAE-KBVS, KBVS-KPAE-KRNT

In a sim I have the option of ignoring such things. Also, the ATC
simulation is pretty limited, so if you go outside what the sim
provides for, you have to pretend that ATC is talking to you, and I
don't have much imagination for that.

I'm trying to learn all the rules about airspace and ATC, but it's
complicated. And I don't have any charts, which makes it hard to
figure out where I am in terms of airspace in some cases. (You _can_
ask to transit Class B airspace in MSFS's ATC, but the clearance is
always granted unconditionally, so it's not very realistic.) The GPS
and other instruments do faithfully indicate changes in airspace, but
I'm not very good at watching for them.

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