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Flat Earth Community / Re: Question regarding the FAQ & Answers on the Wiki page

« on: November 25, 2019, 06:03:04 PM »

Aircraft can and are assigned levels such as FL420 etc.

I will bet you have never ever flown FL420. I'll also bet you don't even know anyone who has ever flown FL420.

Additionally, aircraft fly at FL410 quite often. I've been flying the 737-700 for just over a year now and have flown at FL410 more than a "handful" of times, especially flying Trans-Atlantic or Pacific. Unless there is a reason not to, you are given the altitude you request. The altitude you request is based on a number of factors including weight, fuel consumption, winds aloft, total distance, etc.

I think we can agree, FL410 is an exception rather than the rule. You'll fly FL330-FL390 far more often.

I have been a passenger on an aircraft at FL420 (Dubai to Dulles) but I have not piloted an aircraft above FL410, since that is the max service ceiling of the aircraft I currently fly, as we all as the highest max of any aircraft I've flown. Additionally, I know plenty of pilots who have flown FL420 and higher, especially in military aircraft (mostly EA/FA-18, EA-6B).

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Flat Earth Community / Re: Question regarding the FAQ & Answers on the Wiki page

« on: November 25, 2019, 06:18:37 AM »

Ok, lets put some actual facts into this.

So in 1982 they changed the rules on how close aircraft could be to each other. So instead of stacking them every 2000 feet, they could now stack them every 1000 feet. This was done for altitudes between FL290 and FL410. It was called RVSM. Reduced Vertical Separation Minima.
https://www.skybrary.aero/index.php/Reduced_Vertical_Separation_Minima_(RVSM)

This is important. There is no FL420. The next one from FL410 is FL430. Now we are back to 2000ft jumps, not 1000ft. Its a big stretch.


So

Muh Boeing 747-100 in 1969, its maximum ceiling was 45,100 feet

is a moot point. Air traffic control aren't going to give you a FL430.

Why not, like what the hell is with 41,000ft? Well it is mostly a kind of legacy hard ceiling myth legend type thing.
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=-7gvtZkKKP4C&pg=PA17&lpg=PA17&dq=highest+flight+level+you+have+ever+received?&source=bl&ots=U7vUMzBnMB&sig=ACfU3U1naog-MFxu9pJ4JFmr_yRP4FQNOw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj4yNXxxPzlAhWSRMAKHf_hAqQ4KBDoATAEegQIExAB#v=onepage&q=highest%20flight%20level%20you%20have%20ever%20received%3F&f=false

The same wisdom prevails today. The air traffic guy isn't going to even dream of giving you something over 41,000ft. Its not even going to cross his mind. Those altitudes are for the military and rich pricks flying private jets that high purely because they can and want to let everyone on the radio know they have lots of money. And he's going to give the jet FL390 and they'll ask for FL510 and he's going to roll his eyes and say fine. 

And even if your airliner has a service ceiling of 45,000ft, you're not going to be given FL450. You aren't even going to be given FL410. You might get offered FL410 a handful of times in a 30 year career (usually only possible when you are re-positioning the aircraft and its pretty empty). You'll tell your mates you got offered it. You'll remember the flight. You'll sit gawping at the altimeter as it slowly clicks up and you'll probably make a little announcement for the passengers if you have any to let them know that they should probably buy a lottery ticket this week.

commercial aircraft can and do cruise at altitudes of up to 45,000ft

So this is bullshit.

A service ceiling isn't the same as the flight levels you fly. I just checked aircraft in Europe right now. Of 604 airline aircraft I can see, not one single one of them is at FL410 or above. https://www.flightradar24.com/51.54,-0.67/5

Altitudes are assigned based on direction (heading) of travel, even altitudes heading west (180-360), and odd altitudes heading east (360-180). Aircraft can and are assigned levels such as FL420 etc. Additionally, aircraft fly at FL410 quite often. I've been flying the 737-700 for just over a year now and have flown at FL410 more than a "handful" of times, especially flying Trans-Atlantic or Pacific. Unless there is a reason not to, you are given the altitude you request. The altitude you request is based on a number of factors including weight, fuel consumption, winds aloft, total distance, etc.

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Flat Earth Community / Re: Question regarding the FAQ & Answers on the Wiki page

« on: November 20, 2019, 12:28:39 AM »

1. What should the new figures be, and why?
2. Does this actually affect the merit of the argument being made in the FAQ? (It doesn't)

1. The new figures should reflect accuracy on the part of current cruising altitudes for commercial airliners. While a 'typical' cruising altitude might be 36,000ft, as I said previously, commercial aircraft can and do cruise at altitudes of up to 45,000ft, depending on the airframe. The Concorde (obviously no longer in service) reached up to 60,000ft.
2. It affects the merit of the argument being made only in that the "hint" of curvature (in my experience) cannot be seen at 40,000ft. According to pilots of high altitude military aircraft, namely the U-2 and SR-71, curvature is visible upwards of 60,000ft.

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Flat Earth Community / Question regarding the FAQ & Answers on the Wiki page

« on: November 18, 2019, 08:45:34 PM »

Hey there, long time listener first time caller. I was just going over the Wiki page and found the question that has to do with commercial aviation altitude. It stated:

"It is widely stated you would need to be at a height of at least 40,000 ft to get even a hint of curvature if earth were round. Commercial aircraft are not allowed to fly this high. They are only allowed to fly just under this altitude. 36,000ft might be typical."

The information regarding the altitude is wrong. Depending on aircraft, commercial flights are often above FL400 (40,000ft), topping out around FL450. Some smaller business aircraft can reach altitudes up to FL510, and military aircraft even higher. I personally have flown a B737 up to FL410 (but could not discern any curvature at that altitude). Is there an option on the site to initiate a change of that information? Thanks.