A380 certified ceiling?
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,349
Likes: 845
From: Tring, UK
But of course if the altimeter reads 43000, the top of the fuselage is ~20 feet higher, and the fin 30-40 feet above that. Interestingly the engines are at about 42980 and thus have a tad better performance.
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 161
Likes: 2
From: Liquifaction Island
I frequently fly a 1.30 hour sector in a 747-400. On occasion we go to FL430 but this is the flight planning system choosing the most economical profile. Its worth noting as well that you are flying on 1013mb, so in the tropics a look at GPS altitude, interesting if you have it as you my be several hundred feet higher, than indicated on the altimeter.
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 725
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From: VHHH Ocean 2D
I frequently fly a 1.30 hour sector in a 747-400. On occasion we go to FL430
When I was on the 742F, one of the Captains did mention that he had requested FL450 near the end of one of his flights just so he could see what it was like.
No one believes him
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 259
Likes: 57
From: Asia
Many years back my then employer ferried a 742 across the Pacific to Boeing Wichita for conversion to a freighter. The cabin was completely gutted before the ferry flight so the aircraft was very light and toward the end of the flight the crew coaxed it up to 45,100 FT and took a photo of the altimeter which was printed in the company flight ops magazine. I believe they reported it was twitchy and not that pleasant.
