Flying at very high altitude - anyone managed 5,895 m (19,341 ft) ASL???!!??

[barnytj]

I have been asked to fly at the Summit of Kilimajaro 5,895 m (19,341 ft) for a cinematic shot resembling a scene out of the film highlander, except subject will be a man on a phone!

I have messed with ecalc and cannot for the life of me come up with rig modifications that will reliably work at this altitude even just filming with a GoPro HD3.. I am about to tell the client I sadly don't think it's possible, but thought I would ask the forum if anyone has managed anything similar and if so, with what kit??

 

[helloman1976]

I have been asked to fly at the Summit of Kilimajaro 5,895 m (19,341 ft) for a cinematic shot resembling a scene out of the film highlander, except subject will be a man on a phone!

I have messed with ecalc and cannot for the life of me come up with rig modifications that will reliably work at this altitude even just filming with a GoPro HD3.. I am about to tell the client I sadly don't think it's possible, but thought I would ask the forum if anyone has managed anything similar and if so, with what kit??

There are a few videos of people flying their Hexacopters (Octos also) above 10,000 feet. I'd go on YouTube and ask them how they do it and what pitch blades they use and so on. Obviously the air will be very thin up there and I can feel the difference in my multi at just 1,000 feet up so it'll probably be pretty major. I use 10x5 props, I'd switch to 10x7 probably but I also have torque motors that can swing them. eCalc, recenty ugh, barf, yack...taste is still fresh in my mouth sorry, seems to be working correctly for me now. What's your setup by the way?

 

[jcmonty]

for a given RPM and prop, at 20kft, you are essentially at half the thrust you would be at sea level. So, if you have a thrust to weight at SL of 2, you basically would be at full throttle to hover at 20kft. Of course that's assuming everything else is the same, it's a standard day (not hotter or colder than standard at those altitudes), and your motors don't spin the props any faster than at sea level.

You may consider larger props or higher KV motors. Both of which will have a significant impact on your power levels.

 

[helloman1976]

for a given RPM and prop, at 20kft, you are essentially at half the thrust you would be at sea level. So, if you have a thrust to weight at SL of 2, you basically would be at full throttle to hover at 20kft. Of course that's assuming everything else is the same, it's a standard day (not hotter or colder than standard at those altitudes), and your motors don't spin the props any faster than at sea level.

You may consider larger props or higher KV motors. Both of which will have a significant impact on your power levels.

I was thinking about it last night and it's going to be hard to get to 10,000 feet I'm thinking because by the time you get there you'll be out of fuel. I hope we get to see a video of you trying it though, even making it! Post it up son!