Canceling IFR at FL630

[ppragman]

Jesus, I didn't know they could get that high. F/A-18E/F says 50k plus, so I guess its possible.

Wouldn't wanna fall from that height.

Seriously, if you ever look at the "time to die charts," and "time of useful consciousness charts" I think anything above about FL400 should be considered space. At FL600, you're not that far from the the armstrong limit, that practically is space.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armstrong_Limit

 

[ProudPilot]

Except I would do some chandelles and lazy 8s first just just to say I did it.

:yeahthat::sitaware:icsplease:

 

[shdw]

The AF pilot, Joe Kittinger...didn't he test high altitude freefall from a balloon at something like 102,000 feet?

Those altitudes would make descent planning for a STAR fun...

You got it sir:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Kittinger
http://hypertextbook.com/facts/2004/JerardKneifatiHayek.shtml

I can't find the site someone at my work was showing us, but apparently the pressures made his hand swell to 3 times normal size if I remember right (this was almost 6 months ago). Anyone have confirmation? Now I am pissed I can't find it.

 

[at1024]

You're over FL600, you can do whatever the hell you want!

Just watch out for the space shuttle!

 

[Orange Anchor]

[YT]81gn2oLeC_U[/YT]

As I remember, he had problems with the seals on his gloves on the way UP and had to decide whether to continue or abort. He decided to continue. I do not remember if he had to ask for permission to enter the airspace approaching FL600.

Kittinger fell for over 4 minutes almost reaching mach 1 in the free fall. FWIW, Kittinger later flew 3 tours in Vietnam, was shot down after flying more than 480 combat missions in the F-4 and was a POW for 11 months.