Ted
The pilot formerly known as Twin Engine Ted
- Joined
- Oct 9, 2007
- Messages
- 29,904
- Display Name
Display name:
iFlyNothing
Keep in mind that at FL190 the headwinds that Bruce had in his quoted experience aren't uncommon. So in Bruce's case of being up above the weather, works out fine and you just accept the winds. But if you plan on going there all the time to get your 180 KTAS, you end up finding out that you're really at 120 more often than you'd like. Or else you're going lower to get under the winds and going slower. It does, however, make a lot of sense if you do a lot of flying in the area of the Rockies where you'd likely want to be high anyway.
Conversely, in the 310 we do 177 @ 23 GPH combined at 7,000 ft or 187 @ 27, even in the summer heat. Winds are usually a lot lower down low. Less time to climb as well. On the other hand, the highest I've ever taken the plane is 15k, never been to the flight levels. I'm sure it'd get up there, I just haven't a reason to do so.