4 ms·
> Cruising at altitude is not that hard. Not in RVSM airspace above FL290 (29,000 ft). In RVSM [0] airspace its required to have a functioning autopilot couple
by neurotech1 10y ago
> Cruising at altitude is not that hard.
Not in RVSM airspace above FL290 (29,000 ft). In RVSM [0] airspace its required to have a functioning autopilot coupled to an altimeter of a certified accuracy (+- 65 feet)
Most pilots couldn't fly the required accuracy, that high up, for any length of time, with manual hand-flying. Even in a FBW airliner, it would be hard.
[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reduced_vertical_separation_minima https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reduced_vertical_separation_mi...
- tinix 10y agoThe idea for FL290-FL410 is more to have a designated "highway" of sorts, where all craft are flying within the same system. There is no requirement for auto-pilot above FL410, for example... There are plenty of jets that can easily get that high, it's more about aerodynamics and engineering than pilot skill. http://www.flyingmag.com/whats-41000-feet http://www.flyingmag.com/whats-41000-feet