Originally Posted by
Sorry Dog
electrics should have an advantage considering they can make their full power at altitude
Not quite. The power (thrust) that an airplane engine produces is a function of the mass air flow through the engine, fan or propeller being accelerated. The higher you go, the fewer pounds of air per second pass through the system, regardless of power source. On the other hand, the work done and fuel consumption (of whatever kind you choose) goes down along with this reduction in power production. Fortunately, so does drag and the thrust needed to offset it.
The wizards of aerodynamics and engine design work together to make all these requirements fit together in the most efficient way possible.