Relationship between altitude and max MPH
Relationship between altitude and max MPH
(OP)
I'd like to know how high you'd have to go for a 25% reduction in atmosphere, and how much faster (as a percentage is okay) a given aircraft might/could go (with the same power) at that altitude as a result of flying in air that's 25% less dense.
Thanks!
Thanks!
RE: Relationship between altitude and max MPH
Do you have enough information about the aircraft and its engine to begin working these out?
Steven Fahey, CET
"Simplicate, and add more lightness" - Bill Stout
RE: Relationship between altitude and max MPH
RE: Relationship between altitude and max MPH
You're assuming that the lessened draw reduces power requirements, but commensurately, your lift would presaumbly decrease as well.
TTFN
RE: Relationship between altitude and max MPH
http://142.26.194.131/aerodynamics1/Appendix/ISA_Table.html
In order to create the same lift at altitude, for a given indicated air speed (IAS), you have to have a higher velocity. It is called true air speed (TAS), which is IAS corrected for temperature and density. For your rocket cruising at 100 mph IAS, the TAS at 9500 and standard temperature for that altitude (-3.8C) would be 115mph. Your drag would be reduced by the lower density but would be offset mostly by the increase velocity (varies as velocity squared). Most of the time you get a reduction, but nowhere near 25%. Normally power or thrust also decrease with altitude.
Cheers!
RE: Relationship between altitude and max MPH
The speed of sound also decreases at altitude and for this aircraft there is an altitude where the decreasing speed of sound curve crosses the increasing TAS curve.
The aircraft must fly above a certain TAS or it stalls, so at high altitude the Devils Corner is that triangle where a slight increase in speed means it breaks the sound barrier and the wings fall off but flying a bit slower means it stalls then one wing drops and goes faster, breaks the sound barrier and the wings fall off.