Fobotcso,
We used to tool around the midlands at 390 in a meatbox (NF14 sans radar) during nav training.

Not a height record but a story that may bring a smile.

Back in the 70s going down to Offutt from the Goose in the Avro Galactic Starship we were cruising at FL370 using UHF when we heard the controller's side of a VHF conversation:

"That's a British Air Force Vulcan sir"
pause
"He's at FL370"
pause
"Roger, N1234 you're cleared to FL390"
So we asked for and got FL410
pause
"Roger, N1234 you're cleared to FL430"
We asked for and got FL450
long pause
"RAFAIR 123, the Learjet says OK, you win!";)

How about a how long how short? The only qualification must be that you climbed out of the aircraft on the ground and it had actually got airborne and landed using wing borne flight before landing on its wheels.

That lets out the Rotarys and the Spruce Goose. Harriers don't count either as they just use hot air and neither do gliders!

The Vulcans at Waddington used to aim at less than 2.5 minutes when en route to Coningsby so that they could log zero flight time.

Brawdy to Chivenor by Hawk - Caldy Gap departure then direct to Baggy Point, left initial and break to land - less than 8 minutes.

Brawdy to Chivenor by VW Scirocco - A whatever to M4, across the Severn bridge, then down the M5 and off at Taunton, black cat cafe route to Barnacle - more than 8 hours.......

Stan Evil, a little tale to contrast with yours. It's a bit apocryphal bit I first heard it over 40 years ago...

Early days of the Comet 4 and Boeing 707 crossing the puddle.

The Comet 4 with its thick wing was doiing well at M0.78 and cruise climbing. One day the Speedbird was at 43,000 and doing the usual cruise climb at M0.78 or so.

Below, clearly visible, was the B707, trailing at about 37,000 or so and on the same VHF transatlantic frequency (119.7 ??). Whatever...

In a moment of arrogance the Speedbird captain says to his American travelling companion, "Whatcha doin' down there Buddy?"

Back came the answer:"0.83".

Pontius, 14s were pressurised, n'est-ce pas? 11s were open to the atmosphere, however.

Brakes off to 5000ft
 

Some time ago I was in a bar at a FJ station and my captain and a FJ Jock were having a alcohol induced debate about performance.

A bet was made as to who could be brakes off to 5000ft the first. See you on the tarmac next morning!

Next day said pilots are in chariots and battle commences. FJ pilots selects brakes off, starts clock, full burners and zooms to 5K. 27 seconds (or something similar) he triumphantly exclaims.

Wessex pilot (my captain) climbed to 4990ft in hover, selects brakes off, starts clock, raises collective and exclaims 1 second!

Good sport though, FJ pilot paid up in bar that evening and much merryment followed.

Standby for blah,

Can't do the ultra-high stuff only been at 55k in an Eagle and 50k and 2+ in an F-3. Got a bolly from the QFI for not knowing the limits (The BAe brochure said 2.2 even if the RAF's book said 2)

On the other hand, remember intercepting a Bear, VIDing it and then getting to about 35,000 feet in an F-3 before falling earthwards as the atmosphere overcame the non-existent ram effect. Great at low-level (or high and fast) but sucks in between. Felt a tad embarrased that my shiny wonder jet was being out climbed by a turbo-prop. He was doing about 150kts.

Highest I know of an F-3 from the HUD film was a certain flight commander who achieved 67,000' upside down and pulling but still going up. Tried to hide it but sadly the windscreen had delaminated. Still we all bought him a beer and thought it was cool!

Had a yank mate who was a neighbour of mine that you could get blood out of after a few beers. He told me about being at '70 and 3' when one of the donks failed and set course 230 for a base in Germany. As the 71 mates do, he then refused to confirm his location 'sir!' and then refused to confirm that he had just said anything. Nearly disappeared in a puff of illogic!

As for the U2 does anyone really want to sit in a nappy for 12 hours even if you are at 90 million feet?

Enough Bull****, back to the rugby!

Ghost:D

58,000. Twice. For nearly 3 hours each time, at M2.2 ... while drinking champagne! Also went to the loo - my longest distance d*** ever!

Or is Concorde cheating?

:D

Managed a Hawk from Valley to St Athan in 14minutes, but only because the runways were "COMPLIMENTARY"...... wish the drinks were!!

OK Fobotcso, I was only a stude so we didn't need to know how the jet worked. Now you remind me, pressurised to 250. Remember a civilian quack gave me a glass bottle and pipette as nasal drops. Real handy in a screaming J*s*s for base.

I a Vulcan, 450 over London, the senior officer in the right hand seat responding to the check "Fuel Tank Pressurisation" responded "No Pressure". As one, the rear crew clamped their mask toggles down and the co, in the LHS, initiated a max rate descent below 390.

A memorable OCU sortie as a stud - a planned 1v1 Night Air Intercept sortie became an intro to the Ritalski Curve when the other jet broke. Holding Mach 1.35 and climbing 30 degrees nose up. Topped out at 66,000+ feet (by choice) with an UNBELIEVABLE view of the Milky Way! Idle descent to initials for an idle/500 kt break. Best 0+30 ever!

Fastest I ever saw in a Hornet was Mach 1.73 . Yikes!

What howl!

Great stories - keep 'em comin!!

Lizzie's Lightning from Sl upwards is superb, made me rather green!!

Best claim from an eng - 116mph (indicated!!), heading 360, M40, company diesel Escort estate! Unable to attain same speed heading 180 on return and vehicle subsequently towed to M.T section following morning.

Never found out!!!!

Ok Guys....back to Alberts....was unit test pilot when engineers said we need to get it as high as possible to ensure the oil tanks do not over pressurise and Vent!....Horns out....stripped out a/c, minimum fuel, basic crew, Out of egdl, climbing to southwest. Requested from London mil clearance to climb to FL450.....Reply, how long will it take?...answer 30 minutes. Reply clear to climb.
...............Passing 440 some 30 minutes later, ASI reading abt 120 kts, staggering....ATC....Ascot **** stop your climb, Concorde inbound, descending to 460!!!!....Comment from Shiny Sleek tin triangle.....What the hells a Herc doing up here?.....My comment,"Descending!!!"

Couldn't claim it as a record as we didn't have barograph on board.

Shortest trip....Brize Rwy 26 to Lyneham..Rwy.24...Full CHecks:-2minutes 35 seconds wheels up to wheels down.

Lowest....got a picture to prove it but don't know how to post it, any one help?:eek:

P.S. lets see if this works...

Once tasked to investigate a suspected double TRU failure above FL 410. Airborne, enter 45 deg steep turn and spiral up to FL410. Each TRU off in turn - no problems. Then idle, full airbrake and a 60 deg steep descending spiral back down to earth - initial, break for a visual circuit to roll than back out for a PAR to land. Total flight time 40 minutes. Ac? Vulcan.

In an F3, Airborn out of a Saudi base, off for a nice day out in Iraq.

2 tanks, some whoosh bangs and a couple of pods.

Engine prob after 1 min. Dumped 5 tons of fuel and landed. 12 mins

Another lovely day down at R850 :( , wx pants but brownjobs desperate so in good SH fashion "we'll have a look".

Lift & transition over Eastern Fence, nearly go IMC at ~50', vis < 300m :eek: , reverse back over Eastern Fence, land, cancel tasking :ok: , back into dismal dungeon for yet more tea and Richard and Judy :yuk:

total flight time no more than 40 secs :D

Many thanks to all that posted replies, made for interesting reading, with a little humore aswell. If any of you are of to sunny climes, take care.

Regards Trout.:ok:

Not the highest but amusing:

Buccaneer, England to Scotland transit, heading north, FL350.

Me to nav: "I know someone who reckons they have been to FL440 in a Bucc". The silence from the back seat said it all!

Me to London Mil: "***** request climb FL440"

London Mil: "***** clear climb FL440"

We made it and stabilised with just under full power (I forget the M; must have been around 0.85 - 0.9) but with a margin of only about 2 kts between stall buffet and compressibility buffet.

London Mil: "***** turn left heading 320"

Me: "Request descend FL420"

London Mil: "Negative, maintain FL440 and turn left heading 320"

Me: "Sorry, can't. If you want me to turn you will have to let me descend!"

There are times when, over the top of the laughter from the back seat, you can hear the wrath of ATC without a transmission being made! Happy days.:D

Longest local flight ever.....

Voyager, Rutan and Yeager, 24,986.727 miles, 216 hours, 3 minutes, 44 seconds.............and under FAA rules....a local flight.....due takeoff and landing at the same airport without intermediate landings. Wonder how the 'Crats Against Aviation' would let you log the flight time.....?

OK, so lots of Vulcan stories, but the cresent winged T tailed bomber (Victor to the young'uns) could also hold her own;

On the way to ASI crossing the ITCZ decided it was best to go over the cloud tops at FL 540, while still attempting to stay in formation. Well, we could see the other jet.

One the way back from ASI did some mutual AAR at FL430, but then any lightning drivers would be used to that.

Finally, on a night currency sortie from cyprus, 30K fuel, take off power, both Hyd low level lights on in the ensuing acceleration we were asked to check out the cloud tops by Met. Cloud tops found at 15K 45 seconds from brakes off, and still going up.


:O :O :O :O :O