Maximilian_Jenius
Super User
So, for Christmas last year my S.O. got me an aviation 2009 calendar.
With, August just around the corner I take a peak and the P-38 Lightning is the plane of the month.
In the lower bottom of the page are some quick stats. one being that the P-38 has a service ceiling of 44,000 ft. Incidently the P-51 which is the plane for the month of July is said to have a service ceiling of 41,000 ft.
Really?
I know the CRJ has a service ceiling of 41,000 ft. but doesn't mean that it can always get all the way up there. But in the right situations, it can...not sure if this is the same thing for both of these planes.
So, I guess my question is two pronged. Why can these planes if true reach that altitude, but a jet powered plane (keep in mind these are piston powered planes) such as an MD-80 series or Airbus A320 have a service ceiling of less than FL400.
Also, these planes being piston powered how can they reach that altitude and operate so far up with air so thin?
On the same calendar they have B-24's which are bombers and in the stats section say they can only attain an altitude of 28,000 ft. Knowing that these are bombers and piston powered at that, FL280 seems far more realisitc and attainable for piston powered planes than 44,000 ft.
Discuss..
With, August just around the corner I take a peak and the P-38 Lightning is the plane of the month.
In the lower bottom of the page are some quick stats. one being that the P-38 has a service ceiling of 44,000 ft. Incidently the P-51 which is the plane for the month of July is said to have a service ceiling of 41,000 ft.
Really?
I know the CRJ has a service ceiling of 41,000 ft. but doesn't mean that it can always get all the way up there. But in the right situations, it can...not sure if this is the same thing for both of these planes.
So, I guess my question is two pronged. Why can these planes if true reach that altitude, but a jet powered plane (keep in mind these are piston powered planes) such as an MD-80 series or Airbus A320 have a service ceiling of less than FL400.
Also, these planes being piston powered how can they reach that altitude and operate so far up with air so thin?
On the same calendar they have B-24's which are bombers and in the stats section say they can only attain an altitude of 28,000 ft. Knowing that these are bombers and piston powered at that, FL280 seems far more realisitc and attainable for piston powered planes than 44,000 ft.
Discuss..